Powergrips anyone?

[rollinbone]

Having bought some MKS Espirit Ezy Superior Removable Pedals
I thought it may be a good idea to use them when touring with some Powergrips

Espirt + Powergrips

I usually tour wearing Gore-Tex 'Fell running' trainers when touring that are good in wet conditions but have a wide sole

So I found that they do Powergrips in XL size (normal size are £25 from Evans)
http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/m13b290s3 ... S_GB/17849

Just got these and after drilling an extra hole in the leathers because they are REALLY long, in fact and too long for my shoes
I've got them were I want them, so can adjust to a smaller or bigger shoe as required.

The removeable pedals (you don't need a spanner, just a turn of a ring on the adaptor that is left on the bike) I'm thinking would be ok for extra security at night - take the pedals into the tent -
and so would also keep the leather bits dry during the night and maybe dry them out after a wet day
I guess you can also take them off to travel on trains etc or extra security when going into shops

Espirt + Powergrips removed from bike

The powergrips I hope will not be so much trouble when I have to push the bike up hills - they are leather so less chance of them jamming against the road or pavement as metal clips do.
Also they are very easy to get in and out of and do keep feet firmly on pedal, if adjusted correctly.

normal sized Powergrips in use

Question is: Does anyone have any experience touring with either of these items.
Especially interested in views on the Powergrips as they are leather and are subject to wear&tear and wet I guess
- do you have to waterproof them? How long do they last? etc

[snibgo]

I've had mine on the bike, touring and commuting, for nearly 20 years. I've never waterproofed them. I don't cosset them more than the bike in general.

[alicej]

I used one for just my right foot this winter when I wanted to be able to wear non-SPD waterproof boots a lot. I'm sure mine were not made of leather - if you look very closely can you not see woven fibres in the underside? In which case no maintenance at all, and yes, no problem with them scraping the ground a bit or being wet for long periods of time.

It did worry me that I didn't find them particularly easy to get out of though, and I ended up buying waterproof SPD shoes instead.

[Si]

I concur with Alice, mine aren't made out of leather either...but then again mine are quite old (mid 1990s?) so things may have changed.

Anyhow, I found them much better than old stylee clips and straps for touring type riding. I treated mine very badly but they never complained, so I'd guess that you don't really need to do much to them.

[NewHorizon]

I used these for a number of years before taking the plunge into SPD's and did several short tours with them. The straps are definitely not leather - they are some sort of very tough manmade fabric, which is not affected by water. Mine didn't show any appreciable sign of wear all the time I had them. Ideal for touring.

[georgew]

I understood that these were made from recycled car tyres and at one time this was advertised as such.

[NewHorizon]

I understood that these were made from recycled car tyres and at one time this was advertised as such.

Power Grips manufacturer describe the straps as a "tight woven blend of non-elastic materials with a urethane coating." In my experience there was no sign of any rubber. Its more like a heavy duty canvas/nylon mix (hard to describe because I've not seen anything else like it).

[hufty]

I posted this on a different thread only the other day: if you're thinking of getting Powergrips also have a look at http://www.restrap.co.uk/products. I've got a pair on order but they haven't arrived as of yet so can't tell you much more about them. (Declaration of Interests: No connection whatsoever to the company, but I do live in West Yorkshire.)

[CREPELLO]

I posted this on a different thread only the other day: if you're thinking of getting Powergrips also have a look at http://www.restrap.co.uk/products. I've got a pair on order but they haven't arrived as of yet so can't tell you much more about them. (Declaration of Interests: No connection whatsoever to the company, but I do live in West Yorkshire.)

Almost spooky, I read this thread earlier and thought that for price, Powergrips are quite expensive. They are also a fairly simple construction. Which got me thinking they are surely something that one could make out of webbed strapping.

Then I got thinking about using velcro instead to make them adjustable for walking boots or sandals.

Then low and behold, Hufty posts the above link, which features straps utilising velcro
Looks like the only issue is ensuring the front attachment is similar to the Powergrip one. But I can bodge fine style. I'll have to make sure I buy pedals with the ideal cage. It's been a while since I've had MKS pedals.

Am I onto something? Come on, it ain't rocket science

[mill4six]

But doesn't it rely on you twisting your foot to maintain tension? How's that for your knees? My knees don't even like my Specialised BG shoes with SPD's

[snibgo]

For me, the tension is too low, and the show/pedal friction is too high, to cause a twisting force. However, the action of getting in or out does need a slight twist to the foot.

[mrjemm]

Another re-link from the other thread that Hufty mentions, but think it's worth it, as they did a lot of miles and it's a great blog- http://journal.goingslowly.com/2009/08/power-grips.html

I want to give them another go myself, having used a version years ago before the last bike to wear them got stolen, and I forget them before setting up the next after a break. Think the re-straps have potential, but they look maybe too bulky for my liking. Right now I use the simple "cup" type strapless clip things, and this style is probably the best bet for me; not wanting to go strappy clip or clipless.

[sloe]

I've done ten tours with them, wearing my beloved walking boots. I like going places that are steep and rough, and these let me hop on and off and spin.

I think you'd be best to have a smooth top to your footwear for safety, else they might not release.

[rollinbone]

Thanks for all the above info: just assumed they were leather I suppose, but glad to know they are not.

Had a horrible after-thought yesterday about using these with shoe covers
but upon testing with my Gore-Tex shoes + Gore paclite cover I didn't find much difference.

Mind you have not done a tour with these yet so no doubt thats when I will learn more.