Power Grips? Love em or hate em?

I am thinking seriously about trying these on my pedals? Actually thinking about trying the pedal set. Anyone have any thoughts?

A little background. I started riding about 4 years ago. Have a Giant OCR 2 road bike and love it. When I first started I tried going clipless and failed miserably. Tried the SPD and the Look pedals. It's a mental thing. Just can't deal with clipless. maybe one day but I doubt it.

That said I know that I am losing power by riding on platform pedals and I hate it when my feet slip off. This happens often when I am commuting in the morning. Dew and all of that.

I have read reviews of the Power Grips and most love them. Would like to hear if any of you ladies have tried them and what your thoughts are.

Loving this site btw..it is awesome!

My advice would be to try clip-less again. You have been getting comfortable on your bike for four years, things have changed.

I had a road bike in the pre-clip-less days with cages and I refused to tighten them. I would keep them just loose enough to slip in and out of. It would give me the creeps watching my husband reach down to tighten and loosen his.

I was road bikeless for almost 20 years. Got a road bike again last Fall. Took it out a few times on flat pedals while I was waiting for my shoes and figured I would be a mess when the clip-less were installed. Surprise! I took to them without a problem.

I am pretty sure it is easier to snap out of my Speed-Plays than it would be to slip out of a grippy rubber band thing.

Take a deep breath, think positive and go for the clip-less.

I use power grips on my commuter and LOVE THEM! But that's pretty casual riding.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MommyBird

My advice would be to try clip-less again. You have been getting comfortable on your bike for four years, things have changed.

I had a road bike in the pre-clip-less days with cages and I refused to tighten them. I would keep them just loose enough to slip in and out of. It would give me the creeps watching my husband reach down to tighten and loosen his.

I was road bikeless for almost 20 years. Got a road bike again last Fall. Took it out a few times on flat pedals while I was waiting for my shoes and figured I would be a mess when the clip-less were installed. Surprise! I took to them without a problem.

I am pretty sure it is easier to snap out of my Speed-Plays than it would be to slip out of a grippy rubber band thing.

Take a deep breath, think positive and go for the clip-less.

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This is exactly my opinion as well.

IMO, any sort of cage/strap (that is adjusted tight enough to function properly) is inherently more dangerous than clipless (that disengage with natural foot movement), even if that is a bit counter-intuitive.

Try the clipless again. Trying them now, after a few years of riding, will be a totally different experience than trying to learn to use them while trying to get used to a bike. I'd suggest going with the Shimano's, if you still have them, and making sure the tension adjust is as loose as it will go.

I haven't gone clipless.

I've been riding regularily for nearly past 18 yrs. I ride with Zefal toecups. No straps to tighten.

My cycling average varies annually, range falls between 3,000- 7,000 kms. Last year it was 7,000 kms.

I also have done some self-loaded touring rides over the years.

Will I go clipless? My response: I don't feel like it.

I am at a good weight because of cycling after all these years. (5'1" at 97 lbs.) I don't want to start feeling anxious about cycling again at this point in life. (at 51 yrs. Yea, maybe I can't change here after all. But I have fallen several times already on ice.)

Did I give such bad advice now?

another gal on here has powergrips and loves them.
I had problems with mine, as each pair of shoes i had fit differently..
but i rode with them a good year and they do work the way you hope they will,
power in the upstroke.
and you can escape them easily enough too.

I had a different experience than Mimi - I HATED my Powergrips. Couldn't get out of them for the life of me. That was before I went to clipless. I agree with others - give clipless another try. I think Shimano makes a clipless that also has a platform - that might be a good place to start.

SheFly

Thanks for the replies. I know that I should try clipless again. I know it makes sense.

My boyfriend really wants me to try again because he cannot imagine riding without being clipped in. In fact we have a beach cruiser bike that I use to pull the grandson around in the trailer on a dirt road near our house. Bruce hopped on it yesterday to move it from the carport to the bike shed and he said it felt so strange being unclipped. He felt very unstable and insecure with his feet free. I told him I feel the same way when I am clipped in. Very nervous.

After reading reviews i think the power grips will be a nice compromise and a good next step to maybe one day trying clipless again. It seems to have been a stepping stone for a lot of folks who have reviewed them.

yes, it was a stepping stone for me too. There's no reason to go clipless before you are ready.
Bicycling should be fun.

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Originally Posted by danadear

After reading reviews i think the power grips will be a nice compromise and a good next step to maybe one day trying clipless again. It seems to have been a stepping stone for a lot of folks who have reviewed them.

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Do what you need to do to feel confident again.
Like you I need to be clipped in (strapless toe clips)--I have rented bikes in the past where I was not clipped in, not even toe clips. It feels very insecure especially when cycling fast or descending. And going up hills, it's lack of power to pull the bike along. I guess maybe I'm weak: I couldn't enjoy cycling all over our city (with enough hills 5-10%) in a single speed on platform pedals. Great others are strong enough to do so (and even some fashionistas). More power to them.

I know several men, who have cycled long distance for several weeks on touring rides, with toe clips.

I have powergrips on my recumbent trike. I love them, I can put on whatever shoes (well actually only my VFFs , I shortened the straps so only "barefoot" shoes fit now), and go shopping or ride down to the park to photograph ducks or whatever.
On my 2-wheeled bents, I would not consider them - I find them very difficult to get out of!
I love my eggbeater (clipless) pedals for bikes that require quick in/out motions.
Someone on the bent forum recommended trying clipless pedals 1 at a time. If you usually put your left foot down at stops, then try just the right foot in a clipless pedal and use a platform on the left. Then switch after a few weeks. Then try both.
Don't know if that's a good idea or bad. I went cold-turkey myself.

I love love love my PowerGrip straps on both my bikes. :D :D :D
I love being able to wear any comfortable favorite boot or shoe for biking (especially in winter!). They hold my feet very securely and I can get in and out of them easily by simply turning my heel out and back, just like you do to get out of clipless.
http://harmonias.com/bikes/L-riding2DSC02489.jpg

Like ShootingStar mentioned above, I recently purchased a pair of Zefal Mini-Clips.

http://www.zefal.com/zefal/produit.php?key=45

So far, I really like them, and they are easy to get in and out of, no straps involved. I considered the Power Grips, and found the reviews to be very favorable, but I thought I'd give the mini-clips a try first since they are only $6. I may try the Power Grips later.

I searched the internet for suggestions of what to use instead of going clipless. I'm just very afraid of the learning curve and falling, because of my age, and because I've already had two knee surgeries. I'm afraid of falling and re-injuring my knees again.

I also saw another product (alternative to going clipless) that looked interesting, called Hold Fast pedal straps. But they were even more expensive than the Power Grips.

Ciao