What's the best foot retention for fixed gear?

I’ve been using big straps on large BMX style pedals for the past two years, ever since I started riding fixed gear, with no real complaints, but I’ve still decided that it is time to explore the obvious alternative: SPD-pedals.
The SPD pedals that I use in this video are Shimano M324 and M520.
My shoes are Adidas Velosamba.
The straps are from Bagaboo.
Thank you for watching, and keep on cycling, fellow fixie bike riders (or whatever you ride, mountain bikes and road bikes and unicycles are cool too)!

[@jeffreythree]

You should try the black SH51 cleat. The bike store sold you the silver multiple release direction SH56 cleats. The SH51 only releases on a single flat plane and has better retention.

[@addvurtbikes]

Oh damn! Thank you for letting me know! I remember that the guy said the words "multiple direction release" but I thought he was talking about the pedals, I didn't know that this depends on the cleats. I might look into that!

[@julesleseur1870]

Hi, roadie and gravel guy here, you can tighten or loosen the clip of the pedal so you dont unclip accidentally, also there is a few option for angles of liberty with different spd pedals

[@addvurtbikes]

Hey there! Thank you! Yeah, I think I’m gonna try some other ones, maybe time atac xc 2 :)

[@humansweredesignedforbikes]

time atac is the clipless pedal of choice for a lot of long time fixed gear riders. Much less chance of accidentally unclipping and plenty of float.

[@addvurtbikes]

Thanks for the recommendation! I have been looking at videos about them now. I only have one pair of cycling shoes and I don't want to switch out the cleats for different pedal systems, so I probably need to make a decision pretty soon if I want to abandon the SPD system... I'm leaning towards staying in the Shimano world but getting the black SH51 cleats which are harder to unclip than the ones I have now.

[@Basichandle92]

just the video I was looking for

[@addvurtbikes]

That’s great! I hope you enjoyed it! :) thanks for the comment!

[@davemcsteve]

Reg SPD > SLs all day.. great retention, but mostly because of the walkability and shoe options. SLs are VERY slippery to try to walk in, even in the driest conditions.

[@addvurtbikes]

mmm yeah it certainly feels like the golden middle road where you get the best of everything

[@davemcsteve]

@@addvurtbikes 🙌

[@cielosordo]

i love this unbiased opinion on cleats

[@addvurtbikes]

Thanks! I still feel the same way about it. Cleats are cool and good but so are straps :)

[@christopherwebb3517]

I have the old school toe cages and straps because that's what came on my bike (bought it used), and I like the way they look. And I figure that as long as I don't try anything else, I'll never know how substandard they are.

[@addvurtbikes]

I think you have the right attitude! Keep using them. They are actually the preferred choice of many hardcore fixed gear riders, so I wouldn’t say that they are necessarily any worse. Just different. What bike do you have?

[@christopherwebb3517]

@@addvurtbikes - It's a KHS Flite 100. 2010 I think.

[@addvurtbikes]

Just googled it, looks lovely! I will always want to have a steel bike with roady geometry to take on long rides, but still fixed gear :)

[@markkubsch1257]

I like straps. When they are good quality, they are 100% reliable. BMX/MTB pedals look much better. Also, straps are uncomplicated - which is what fixed gear is all about. Toe clips with leather straps are fine aswell, depends on the bike, I'd say.

[@addvurtbikes]

yeah I agree with all those things. spd just feels even better to me though…

[@CIQZ]

I find straps to be more fun (wheelies n stuff) but spd to be faster

[@addvurtbikes]

That sounds pretty reasonable actually. I’m about to build up a Skream Anodiz which I will use for fun stuff like tricks, so I’m not sure yet what pedals will go on it…

[@balasquin]

hey, great video! my biggest concern with going spd is descending hills, i'm currently using my fixed for some long road rides with a lot of climbing and descending and making the switch sounds the way to go for more performance when climbing, but it's seems scary to go downhill D:

[@addvurtbikes]

Thank you! It's deep winter where I live now, so I feel like I have forgotten how it even feels to ride :( But yeah the straps are very trustworthy and won't unclip on you. However, I have yet to try the black Shimano cleats, which are apparently less prone to unclipping, so it might be a non-issue with that.

[@AngeloDeiparine]

I have MTB cleats on my fixed gear with a gear ratio of 53/13 my tension is Almost maxed out although it's quite hard to Clip in but it's worth it because less clip out while drifting and skidding

[@addvurtbikes]

That’s the highest gear ratio I’ve ever heard anyone use. Glad you like the cleats!

[@AngeloDeiparine]

@@addvurtbikes nah it's actually the lowest gear ratio here

[@evilkamatis542]

I'm surprised you did not bother to try the classic toe cage + double strap retention which is mostly used in Keirin races. It is far superior than the fabric velcro strap that you used.

[@addvurtbikes]

That’s interesting. Nobody has recommended them to me before, and I kinda ruled them out after one bad impression from testing toe cages with only one small strap. Now I want to give it a try. Maybe if I find a good deal somewhere :)

[@evilkamatis542]

@@addvurtbikes I've been using the MKS double strap toe cages with Toshi double straps. They are made of leather with nylon plastic infused in the middle to make the straps more durable coz those nylon straps are just trash. It will eventually snap. I had mine for more than 4 years and it never snapped on me. Though these kind of straps are kinda hard to find and a bit pricey for a brand new coz they are "NJS", which in the world of fixed gear is Gold standard. There are also plastic nylon toe cages, like the MASH toe cages. They don't ruin your shoes. Also, what I like with this kind of retention and with that type of strap is it's very sturdy and it will retain it's form.. allowing your foot to easily insert in the toe cages unlike the velcro fabric straps that sometimes will loose and you have to wiggle your way to fit your shoes. I highly recommend checking the nylon toe cages by MASH instead as they are more shoes friendly, easy to find and they also sell the same straps I mentioned. shop.mashsf.com/mash-nylon-double-toe-clips-locking-hardware.html

[@martinmillev]

Hello, what happened to your Fixie Inc Floater Race bike? It seems like you got rid of it very quickly. May I ask why? I got interested in fixed gear bikes and looking up that bike actually led me to discover your channel. Thanks in advance.

[@addvurtbikes]

Hi! That’s correct! I found a good deal on a Dolan Pre Cursa so I sold the Floater because I didn’t need both. The Floater is actually not a bad choice IF you want exactly what it is. It’s hard to find another cheap fixie with road brakes on big drop bars. I always tell people to start cheap because fixies are addictive and you will probably want to try different stuff, so it doesn’t make sense to spend big on your first bike since you can’t know what you will like or dislike about it.

[@jaimemancero7759]

Do you think after some months of skid braking on a fixie the velosambas get loose due to the pulling away from the pedal ?

[@addvurtbikes]

I would have to assume that the cleats will wear out faster, yes. Even road cyclists swap out their cleats every now and then, so surely skidding and backpedaling will make them more loose over time, but I have not noticed anything yet (it's been mostly winter since I made the video, have not been riding enough). Thanks for the question!

[@jaimemancero7759]

@@addvurtbikes thank you!

[@ajthmmht]

I use straps because it is cheaper~

[@addvurtbikes]

Yeah, that is a very good reason. Thank you for commenting!