Back in the late 1980s, before Shimano introduced their M737 clipless pedal at £100 sometime around 1990 (and then the cheaper M525 pedal at about £50), mountain bikers had to use a version of the more traditional toe clips and straps or a Look type pedal not designed for off-road.
Before that Powergrips were introduced as an alternative to the traditional toe clip and strap. I used them with a Specialized shoe for a few years including racing MTB's in the UK and found them easy to use.
Has anyone thought of using these as an accompaniment to flat pedal, but without the restraint of traditional toe clips?
by RustyBasement
20 Comments
I’ve never tried them (though I’m sure I will at some point). This guide seems very helpful. https://5metresofdevelopment.blogspot.com/2012/05/redux-setting-up-power-grips.html?m=1
I had them for a while in the ’00s. What I remember about them is they weren’t quickly adjustable at all after installation, and it could be kind of a pain in the ass–if you set them up for sneakers in the summer you had to re-do it (with wrenches) if you wanted to wear boots on a cold day in the fall. They also had a tendency to wear your shoes where they made contact.
I tried them, but only after I started using SPDs. I thought of it was good enough I could wear regular shoes around town. It wasn’t good enough for me to justify the change.
I used to use them and liked them quite a bit. One day about 20 years ago I went OTB and one of my feet was stuck in the pedals. It took a while for me to clear my head and I needed help to get my foot out of the pedal. I guess the circulation was cut off because I had problems with my foot for about the next year. After converting to flat pedals with pins, I never thought about these anymore.
Wow, a blast from the past. I may have contemplated them once.
I have them on my ‘85 stumpy, (fully stock except tires), because they were on the bear trap pedals when I bought it. From a rider who has eggbeaters on all of his other bikes, the power straps are pretty good.
Blast from the past. Used them for a bit back in the day. Recipe for knee pain. Dumb.
https://toezee.com/ has something similar
I tried them when I wasn’t sure about SPDs. They worked OK until I fell on a trail and could get “unclipped.” Fell hard and broke my arm. It was a slow walk off that bandit trail. I put the bike in a middle-middle combo and rode home one-handed. (Triples rock!) I went to SPDs shortly after I could ride again and never looked back.
Yup! I used them in the 90ties for a few years. I liked them!
I currently use YNOT pedal straps for my fixie and I think they fit a similar niche
I loved powergrips on my commuter, off road sounds a little wild for me though. It was a sad day when they wore through and I had to get some crappier straps.
I still use them!
Used them as my primary for decades, for road biking, mountain biking, and at least one duathlon that I can recall. Was pretty nice not having any shoe changes during transition. I like them and still use them on some bikes, depending on the situation. Biggest challenge is finding better pedals to bolt the straps onto. The house brand pedals are pretty bad.
I have bikes in my garage with spd-sl, spd, platforms, and these. All have their place, IMHO.
absolutely yeah, had them on a 90s miyata road bike that served as my main for several years in the 2010s, no complaints and only fond memories 🙂
I have a set I bought and never installed. Brand new, in my tool box.
Want ‘em?
I’d go back to toe clips and straps before these.
Have them on two of my (too many) fixed gears. Solid for that.
The gentleman that took over Bruce Gordon Cycles in Petaluma, CA, after Bruce passed, David di Falco, still makes and sells Bruce’s original design of a stainless steel strapless clip. Pretty cool and I’d like to try em one day:
https://www.bgcycles.com/new-page-4-1
They’re still popular among the recumbent community