As some of you may have read in my other posts, I have been trying to use clipless pedals with minimal success. At least the SPD type, were driving me crazy. I was having problems clipping in then they wouldn’t release and I would fall over. I tried adjusting the tension and modifying the shoe to make it easier to get in and out, to no avail.

Someone on another board suggested I try Bebop pedals. These things are much better than the SPD type pedals I had been using. They are easy to get in and out of and have some “float” which means that your foot can swivel a little without coming out of them accidentally. I like this feature as I’m duck footed, my toes point out when I walk, like Charlie Chaplin. Well not that bad.

I have heard people complain that using them is like pedaling on ice because your foot can move around freely. This doesn’t bother me.

The biggest caveat I have found is the price. The best I was able to find was $80 shipped from a seller on eBay. The replacement cleats are also relatively expensive.

All in all I’m very pleased with my Bebop pedals and would recommend them to anyone who wanted to go clipless.

Racer 46,

I'm glad that you found a clipless pedal that will work for you.

Walt

I have heard people complain that using the Bebop is like pedaling on ice, there a lot like the Speedplay pedals there's to much float for me. They always made me feel like I was falling off the bike, but hey if they work for you

When I stand my toes point out at about a 30 degree angle. Keeping them straight ahead hurts my knees. The Bebops allow for this, thus I'm more comfortable with them. They may not be for everybody.

Quick update:

I've read this on another forum and it has happened to me. Seems that the screws that hold the cleats in are prone to coming loose. Use some thread locking compound on them and you won't have this problem.

I have Bebop pedals on my trike. I had a screw come out once. The screws are extremely short and I had difficulty getting a replacement. I bought them because they were supposed to be the easiest to clip in and out of but I never did get comfortable clicking in so I have used Power Grips for 10 years on my Wave and Rocket. I like the Power Grips well enough that I decided not to get clipless pedals for the Rocket.

gttrocket
Have you been using the power grips on your rocket for long? I have them on my delta trike and think they are great and was thinking about putting some on my rocket. I am still not "really' comfortable on the rocket and though maybe they would help get me into that comfortable zone.
Would probably help more if I rode it more often. The trike is more relaxing though.
rocket man

I have had Power Grips on my Rocket since 2001 when I bought it new. I commuted to work in Madison, WI with them until I retired in 2005 and am still using them. I did alter them by gluing some rubber on the inside to increase the friction on my shoes. I'm not sure they are any better beacuse of that though.

First let me say that I LOVE my Bebops. Let me tell you why.


On the plus side:
1: One thing that many have not mentioned is the "hot spot" that is associated with SPD pedals is due to the very small cleat interface with the shoe. Bebop pedals use a large cleat that overlaps the pedal and the interface is nearly 3 times the size. This along with the additional float virtually eliminates the pains that some associate with many clipless pedals.

2. The low weight of the pedal/cleat combo. Remember that pedals are rotational weight and unlike static weight (frame, fork, seat, etc...), can noticeably affect performance.

3. The pedal have one of the lowest cleat and this allow walking with minimal if any cleat wear from the ground when walking.

4. One of the closest cleat to center of the pedal axle. This is good. Trust me.

5. The stainless steel cleats and pedal have no moving parts/spring to wear out. The cost of replacement cleats is almost inconsequential because they almost never wear out! A 10 mile hike on concrete with worn out shoes may just do the trick.

On the negative side:
1. They are more expensive than Shimano.

2. ? I can not think of any other negs.

I discovered Bebops maybe 4 years ago after a brief flirtation with SPD's. The SPD's didn't agree with my knees, I think it was something about float. I see where the 'on ice' feeling comes from, but it isn't an 'unsecured' feeling so much as it is that float - it gives your foot unrestricted 'twist' on the platform, the initial impression of which is less than solid. If you sit and play with it for a moment, you begin to feel that the bebop 'ice' feeling is all pivot - no 'slide off the pedal' feeling at all. I know this works for me because my feet actually DO pivot a little as I pedal. So the Bebops are a done deal under my sandals.

The two compromises the Bebop forces you to are shoe surgery, and scarcity. The cleat is large, which is good. It tends not to quite fit in the 'standard' cut out for a SPD cleat that you see in most bike shoes (the treaded ones for those of us who actually walk about a little bit. You need a half hour with an exacto knife to cut away at the edges of the insert hole a little bit. And because of that low clearance, you may need to cut away a little 'path' in your shoe's tread for the spindle too. Not a bad thing, and not hard.

Scarcity. No local bike store I have visited in three states carries Bebop for over the counter sales. You have to buy on the 'net. And if you get totally dependent on them, as I seem to be, you best buy ahead a little bit. If you like them, have an extra set of cleats in the bag when you ride. Costs about $40 now, but you won't find them at Bob's Beach Bikes when a cleat wears thin on you. I've not had a pedal wear out, but the cleats (what with a few hills to walk) do wear out maybe once a year, so it pays to have spares in hand.

I scored a whole set on an EBAY auction for $55 jsut the other day. Heck, I WENT throught the great Bebop scare of 2006! (They almost went out of production for a little while).

So buy some Bebops. Tell your local bike shop how great they are, and that they should stock them. Heck, tell Mark Powers that.

Cheers! ADC