Bicycle pedals compared: Cage, cage with clips or half-clips, cage with power grips, clipless

This is a re-upload from June 2018, as I decided to separate all bike videos from my other channel where I now only show a critical analysis of things going on in the world. ------ If you want any other topics discussed/analysed, write a comment or email me. Have a look on my site for more reviews and analysis of bicycle lighting, leather saddles, pumps, gears and much more.
Here is the section on pedals: swhs.home.xs4all.nl/fiets/tes...
For more see: swhs.home.xs4all.nl/fiets/
At the moment, after my Cannondale Vintage bike which is shown in this video, was stolen in August, I had no more half clips and I returned to just cage pedals. I've sold my dual cage/clipless pedals and there is as I mention in this video the advantage of a position to aim for for your foot on the pedal with half clips or clips, and of course with clipless you have a fixed position, here I do feel from time to time that I shift my foot around, but it's OK. You can try both and see what you prefer, a fixed position or the freedom of cage only (these are esp. useful in difficult situations, or with a bike trailer that might get stuck behind some pole or roots of trees or loose or sticking out bricks/tiles in case of roads with bricks/tiles).

[@wakeawaken430]

Your 7 min video was 1000% more informative than the major part of the other "specialists pros" channels on youtube I chose to put velcro straps on my ss track bike(for recreational use) and then i am thinking to flip it to fixed

[@WHS_reviews]

Thanks! There are lots of options for pedals and how to use them with straps/straps + cage/cage, half clips only/click system dual side/ click system one side + platform other side/cross straps (power grips) and it would seem natural to seek for a comparison thinking of all good and bad points (the importance of which varies per person of course, also depending on how one uses one's bike, but an overview should cover all those) and similar to other topics that I cover on my site, I had not seen something similar. It was actually for a similar reason that I started my website with bicycle lighting reviews, namely that magazines (which were still as of 2007-2008 an important source of information) were doing such a poor job when I was looking for information. I am planning to do similarly informative videos on various panniers and bike trailers, to highlight issues that I found in various brands/types when I started looking for a new trailer and new panniers (even without using all types that I consider, but from experience with various types that I had used). It's already largely on my website, just need to add pictures and a video overview will be useful to show certain issues which are difficult to convey in words. For those those interested see my small scale/depth tests: swhs.home.xs4all.nl/fiets/tests_2/index_en.html and my main tests are at swhs.home.xs4all.nl/fiets/tests/index_en.html

[@patrickculleton9939]

I use the Zefal half clips on my cage pedals. They come in 2 sizes - basically small and large and cost a mere £5 here in the UK. They are the best. Easy to engage and disengage feet. Keep feet in correct position, lightweight, indestructible. You can wear sandals or boots. Brilliant. Every cyclist should have them.

[@WHS_reviews]

I think I saw these online in pictures somewhere when I tried my modification from the Zefal full clips, but didn't see these for sale in online shops I used IIRC. I agree, if you can find them, try them.

[@longhaulblue]

Great video. I use toe clips with straps but am considering toe clips without. The one thing I like with the straps is you feel secure standing on the pedal when it is wet. I have slipped off a rubber platform (no toe clip) when it is wet. I use a cage with some teeth so it bites into my shoe (low ankle hiking shoes) but I am concerned that it may not feel as secure as with the strap. Can you advise or comment? Thanks.

[@WHS_reviews]

Straps are definitely good for feeling secure on the pedal. But I've had a few occasions where I almost didn't get out on time, and one didn't get out on time so since that time I tried half clips which give a fixed position to place your foot that you can return to by feel, but don't retain you as a toeclip with straps does. Pedals with pins or cages are definitely better than rubber ones for in the rain, but as I mentioned in another comment, they can damage your shoes. For more grip I've been thinking of trying dual cage pedals (some pedals have 2 cages around each other, so more 'pins' on the cages sticking out), or some pedals with actual pins but that are quite large and have lots of pins. A further alternative could be using a pedal + a short clip with a toe strap going through the middle section somewhere, so your foot is at the tip restricted, but in case of emergency you could quickly get out as opposed to full clips with straps. Edit: The pedal to be used could then be a rubber type pedal that has holes for a reflector, and there you can mount the clip, and such a combination wouldn't damage normal (non-cycling specific) shoes. This would need some experimenting: which clips would be suitable? Half clips? Or full clips that you modify, cut a part off of? It would need to be such that the straps are not too close to your leg, but nearer the tip of the shoes.

[@kronos_77]

if you are riding fixed gear, spd or toe clips with straps may be a better choice than toe clips without straps. I use power grip type straps and they are also useful, although i only use them for city rides, not long rides.

[@WHS_reviews]

Do you mean fixed gear without a freewheel and using backpedalling to brake? For that situation, I'd definitely go with toe clips+straps or spd. For a fixed gear with freewheel and regular brakes then I'd prefer not to be stuck in the pedals esp. in city rides with situations with curbs, traffic lights and needing to put a foot down etc. Are the grips you are using similar to the power grips in that you need to twist sideways to tighten them or straight, like toe straps but beefier? I've seen some double straps that were straight and these could give a similar feel of toeclips/straps, but you would be able to use different length shoes. I need to use bigger size shoes in some cases when that shoe type is narrow, and then because of the toeclip you feet are a bit more to the back, with such straps that would be less of an issue.

[@kronos_77]

@@WHS_reviews For a fixed gear rider, freewheel is usually just an unnecessary weight on the other side of the flip flop hub. I have never met a rider who had tried fixed gear and returned back to freewheel side ( unless riding off-road). I mostly use normal velcro straps but i install them like the power grips you had shown in the video. By this way it is very similar to release your foot to clipless pedals. You just move your hell sideways and you are free. I also use clipless pedals on my other bikes and dont want to have different muscle memory:) By the way, great video content (comparing all systems side by side).

[@WHS_reviews]

Thanks for the positive feedback :) As to freewheels and brakes: In some countries brakes or dual brakes are required (in NL you need a 'properly working brake', and dual brakes in case of rim brakes, and I think backwards pedalling does not constitute a brake contrary to a back-pedal brake which requires only a small one time movement to continuously brake) and in Germany a bicycle with just fixed gear with no freewheel is definitely not allowed. So this is why in such countries you would need a disc brake, rim brakes or a pack pedal brake, and a freewheel version makes sense then as the weight savings of just a freewheel shouldn't be an issue for most people.

[@WHS_reviews]

If you want more background see my website swhs.home.xs4all.nl/fiets/tests_2/pedalen/index_en.html My videos are complementary to my reviews there, not stand alone. So please no stupid comments like 'huh'... There is a clear point and comparison of which pedals work for what situations...

[@pranjalgogoi2713]

Is toeclips really worth it?

[@WHS_reviews]

It depends on what you want/need. You can pull the pedals with toeclips, but my riding with toeclips and clipless pedals, vs. bare pedals without toeclips (so no pulling possible) show no difference in speed. The experiments I read about with pro athletes show very little extra power that can be delivered by the pulling action. The main plus for toeclips+straps is feeling secure for e.g. rough terrain, ditto for clipless pedals such as SPD, but at the same time there is a downside of not being able to instantly put your feet on the ground. So despite clipless becoming nearly the standard everywhere, for many years the return to bare pedals has begun esp. with mountainbiking, with platform pedals with many pins that really grip into the shoes for traction. As for the bare toeclip with no straps, I found that useful for quick position of your feet onto the right spot. It gives you a quick reference by feel of where your feet should be, approximately.

[@jessevonk2836]

Goeie video

[@WHS_reviews]

Thanks!

[@romancollazo8531]

awesome! I've always wondered what toe clips are for! But now, can you solve the mystery of what are those two circular things on the bottom of the bike are supposed to do?

[@WHS_reviews]

Trying to be funny but failing is a sign of an anti-social personality, and I include being autistic as being anti-social. You may want to try sticking to GCN for superficial bicycle related entertainment...