Platform/Spiked pedals question (gripsters, grip kings, etc.)

[lungimsam]

Thinking about a platform pedal.

I like sliding my feet around on the pedals without having to lift them up off the pedal to reposition.

I don't like shoes getting "locked" into a position because the pedal surface mates with grooves in the shoe sole, forcing you to lift the foot off the pedal to adjust your foot position into your pedaling sweet spot.

Does this mating happen with the gripsters and grip kings? Are the spikes removable if desired? Or is it easy to shift the foot around without having to lift off pedal to adjust?

[jinxed]

I have both pedals and my experience is this:

Grip kings allow for relatively easy shoe movement. The little hollow "grips" are not very tall and don't bite the shoe. Honestly, the lack of grip is alarming if things get even remotely wet. I'll guess this is part of the reason some have called them slip kings. Although any pedal without spikes or pins is going to get slick when wet.

The gripsters (VP-001) are MUCH more akin to their namesake. The pins do the job intended and don't allow for much accidental movement. Add a nice soft grippy shoe and youre lifting the foot to reposition. That said, the pins are removable. No experience riding them without.

[Kieran J]

I haven't tried the Grip Kings, but I'll second jinxed in the assessment of VP-001/Gripsters being very secure - like Velcro almost.

I have the MKS Sylvan Touring pedals on another bike, and those definitely allow for slipping your foot around - dry or wet. 

KJ

[Jim Bronson]

I've never felt like the spikes on the gripsters kept me from moving my feet around.  They are secure enough to give me confidence to pedal while standing out of the saddle, without feeling restrictive.  IMO and YMMV.

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[Bryan]

I also don't like that locked-in feel. I haven't tried the Grip Kings, but I've found the RMX Sneaker Pedals to have the ideal balance between grip and slide. They're cheap, too. In super wet conditions, though, I prefer something with spikes. 

Bryan 

[Tim]

I have Grip Kings on my AHH and Thin Gripsters on my Roadeo. I prefer the Gripsters because I really feel locked in on them. I absolutely have to lift my foot off the pedal to reposition. My feet move around on the Grip Kings which, in wet weather, is, to me, a problem. I've been thinking of swapping out to the Gripsters on all my bikes.

[Philip Williamson]

I have VP-001 gripsters with pins on one side, and skateboard grip tape on the other. The tape comes off after several months, but gives a good attachment with plenty of easy movement. The grip side is less comfortable, but maybe better for pulling away from stop lights on a wet day with a tall gear.

Philip
www biketinker.com

[justin...@gmail.com]

I have the VO Sabot and love the amount of grip on them. I could take out the pins on one side if I needed to and may do that to put grip tape on. Rob at Ocean Air Cycles really likes the VP Vice (http://oceanaircycles.com/2013/04/22/vp-vice-and-001-pedal-comparison/) and if I were buying new pedals I'd grab a pair of those.

-J

[Deacon Patrick]

I ride VP's Vice, very similar to their Gripsters. The great thing is I can play around with how many pins are in based on how much foot movement I want. I've decided I prefer them all in, and just life my feet briefly to shift positions around. Not a big deal.

With abandon,

Patrick

[cyclotourist]

Presumably not whilst pedaling barefoot? :-)

Cheers,
David

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

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[dougP]

My experience with the Grip Kings was they provide good grip even when wet, and I could easily move my foot around.  The downside is my personal clumsiness.  It seemed my right calf was always scraped up from the pedal whacking me as I lifted the bike over an obstacle, carried it up stairs, etc.  I now use some cheap campus pedals with a rubber surface.  They are similar to the MKS flat pedals that Rivendell sells, but with the rubber grip.  I rode them in Thailand thru rain & slippery mud, wearing walking sandals, with no serious slippage problems.  Probably not for everyone, though.

dougP

[Deacon Patrick]

Presumably not whilst pedaling barefoot? :-)

Barefoot is no pins. But because I ride both bikes on trails, and I've decided to wear shoes on trails due to too many flappers from root and rock encounters and the fact that it's a pain to have to figure out which side of the pedal has pins (or not), it's pins all round and shoes all the time. Sigh. Sardonic grin.

With abandon,

Patrick

[peec...@yahoo.com]

Grip Kings don't slide too much except sometimes when wet.  I like a platform pedal made by Velo Orange - the VO Touring pedal @ $90.  No slipping whatsoever in any condition.  Very comfortable pedal.  Tim Petersen

[Christian]

I like Grip Kings a lot but not without spikes.  I bought a pack from Riv, drilled holes, and screwed them in.  Transformed the pedal into something much more useable and very comfortable.  I like the VP Vice that Ocean Air sells (very similar to the Thin Gripster from Riv; Rob has a great comparison article for which someone below already provided the link) but find shoe selection is important as the platform is more or less flat.  The pedal is also not as wide as it could be because the inner edge comes right to the crank.  With wider shoes (for me Chacos and 5.10s) this has meant my feet have been forced a little further outward than I'd like.  I have come to prefer the Wellgo MG-1. It's a bigger platform than the VP, but not nearly as thin, uses a traditional pedal wrench thus does not come as close to crank arms, and it's a little concave.  I find the shape better for me.  I say this with all of the usual YMMV, IMHO, and so forth caveats.  There are so many great choices out there and what's been most important for me is seeing the wonderful benefits of flats over clips, especially, in my case, for mountain biking.  

Good luck,

Christian   

On Sunday, September 28, 2014 1:47:06 PM UTC-4, lungimsam wrote:

[Avery Wilson]

I used the grip kings for a year without pins, and then I bought the DIY pin kit and spent 15 minutes drilling and tapping the pins in. What a revelation! It's got the lateral grip akin to being clipped in with none of the downsides. I can even ride relatively hard in flip flops now. I love the combo of grip kings and pins. I don't have anything but crappy platforms and spds for comparison though, so take my experience for what is it!

[Ron Mc]

my experience with grip kings is that shoes make all the difference.  I wear Merrell sandals or better, Proterras, and the blocky tread on both stick in the rain on these pedals.  

[BSWP]

I have thin gripsters on both my Rivs, and also have velcro hoops on the pedals, a recent addition after many miles of riding with only "naked" pedals. I have probably found the perfect setup, for me and my riding. The velcro loops can be set on the loose side of snug, so my shoes can easily be repositioned, and slide out without any drama, but also hold the shoes in generally a good position on the pedals. I can lift up if I so desire, and I can also flip the pedals over and ride without the loops on my shoes.

As to the spikes, they work well on my shoes - which are bald shot-putting shoes with stiff soles, the best cycling shoes I've yet found that aren't SPD or cleated. Good grip in the rain, too.

And the gripsters really are *thin*, I had to lower my seats after putting on these pedals. The grip kings might work for some people, obviously they do, but for my taste they're quite too thick and lack required contact spots outboard of the pedal axle.

- Andrew,, Berkeley

[Johan Larsson]

Those Vice pedals sure looks nice. I've never seen a pedal that sits so tight to the crankarm.  And those pins are easy to grind down also if you want less grip, like it seems some people in this thread wants.

Johan Larsson,
Sweden

[Ron Mc]

At San Antonio Sicolvia yesterday, my daughter got tired of her MKS city pedals with half-clips on her utility bike.  So I'm going to be upgrading her to thin gripsters.  For my size 13 ice skate feet, I prefer the length of the grip kings on my upright utility bike.  

[David Banzer]

Does anyone have any experience with pedals that are similar to the VP-001Thin Gripsters or VO Sabots?
I have silver VPs on my Redwood and love them. While I'd like to get the same for the rest of my bikes, the price does add up and silver doesn't appear to be an option anymore.
Specifically I saw these on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/151016287549?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WELLGO-KC008-Bike-Flat-Pedals-Sealed-Bearing-MTB-Aluminum-Platform-Pedals-9-16-/261568167720?pt=US_Pedals&var=&hash=item3ce6ad7f28
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Brand-4-Colors-Wellgo-KC007-Platform-MBT-BMX-Bike-Bicycle-Pedal-Pedals-9-16-/251471707962?pt=US_Pedals&var=&hash=item3a8ce1bf3a

Either way, I'll be ordering another set of dark gray VPs from Riv shortly, but I have more space now which means all my project bikes can be built up fully.

David
Chicago

[Christian]

David

I've really like the Welgos I mentioned in my earlier reply. Different than the one you linked to but comparably priced--I paid about $35--with a huge, very grippy platform. They come in silver.

Christian

[Kieran J]

I was using the Wellgo MG-1 pedals, but I found them quite un-grippy and they weight a ton. The GF took them on her city bike, she says they're fine.

The VP-001/Gripsters are on a totally different plain IMO.

KJ

On Sunday, September 28, 2014 1:47:06 PM UTC-4, lungimsam wrote:

[Dan McNamara]

Rob at Ocean Air Cycles might still have some silver VP Vice. Worth asking. Although they do add up $ wise

Dan

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[Mathew Greiner]

My Handsome Devil came with some cheapo nylon Welgos with pins. I liked them a lot. Upgraded to the MKS Grip Kings, and I like those, too, but they have just a little bit less grip, so I keep thinking that I'll throw some add-on pins into my basket on my next Riv order. Two orders have passed where I didn't, but there's always next time. I mean, when's my pre-ordered striped wool shirt going to come, anyway?

[Philip Williamson]

I have a pair of MG-1s, with skateboard grip tape. They're plenty grippy, and mine don't weigh a ton. Teh internets say they weigh 1.2 oz more than thin gripsters for the pair. They're a good option. Plus, mine are red. 

Philip

www.biketinker.com

[Paul Brodek]

I haven't used any of the ones you linked to. I tried a pair of these Tubro (correct spelling!) platforms as a cheaper alternative, they grip fine:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tubro-downhill-platform-CNC-Pedal-set-removable-pins-sealed-breaing-/261041670722

My first platforms were MG1s, they're grippy enough for me, not too heavy, and relatively cheap. They are thick, though, so I've bashed 'em cornering a coupla times. I prefer thinner pedals these days. The Wellgo B132 are OK, thinner than the MG1 and not too spendy. Both the VP001 and Vice work well for me, though I find the 001 a little less grippy. The fyxation Mesa MP were faves for a while, wide/thin platform, more foot support than the Wellgos. The MP part is important, this is the version with Metal Pins. You have to get over the platforms being plastic; fyxation does have an aluminum version now, but it's more expensive. My current best-ever faves are the VP Harrier---thin and light with a platform so big even Bozo's shoes would fit comfy. They are expensive, so as much as I heart them I won't be outfitting the fleet with them. I have a pair of Spank Spike platforms on deck, very thin like the Harrier with a biggish platform. Probably the most expensive pedal I've bought, so likely a one-off. I also just got a pair of Xpedo Spry platforms, haven't had a chance to ride them yet. The Sprys are the lightest pinned platforms I've seen, only 260g, so I'll try them on a weight weenie bike. Fairly thin, fairly wide.

I tend to be pretty narrow-minded with most of component choices, but somehow eclecticism flowers when it comes to metal-pinned platform pedals. Though I only ride metal-pinned platform pedals, so I guess that initial narrow-mindness then broadens...

Paul Brodek
Hillsdale, NJ USA

[Kieran J]

My bad. I had them confused with the cheapo LU313, which I have.

They look kind of similar. Sort of.

KJ

[cyclotourist]

Best. Review. Ever.

Cheers,
David

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

--

[Ron Mc]

OK, now that I got mine.  I ordered a pair of Thin Gripsters for either me or my daughter - will see how it works out.  But Riv has a very good sale going on these with the best price on the internet.  Throw in a $7 item and you get free shipping...

[Beth H]

Depending on the pedal you choose and the shoe you wear when riding, there will be anywhere from no to a little "locking".

I find the best combination for me to give me a non-slip surface and avoid "locking" is to wear a converse-style shoe (I'm a huge fan of the Chrome Kursk) and use a wide, flat BMX pedal. One that takes screw-in pins offers more grip than one without. VP and Wellgo offer good models.

Beth

[Dave]

Great thread in terms of making me interested in spending more bike money. Blessing and a curse that the great price and special rbw had on the gripsters made them quickly out of stock.

[Kieran J]

Ordered a 2nd pair of Gripsters yesterday from RBW, thanks to this thread. Thanks thread! 

Just in time, sounds like.

KJ

[Deacon Patrick]

VP has silver Vice pedals. I just received mine direct from them (for a warrantee issue with pedals that were creaky out the box -- amazing customer service by the way!). The new pair is as silent as my first (and highly abused) pair. Of course my first pair now looks more silver than grey, considering the abuse it's received at the hands of roots and rocks. Sardonic grin.

With abandon,

Patrick

[Ron Mc]

*image of guy in turban walking barefoot on nails*  

I did find one place on line with Vice for $67, but didn't pursue or check their shipping.  

[R Gonet]

I've used the Grip Kings without spikes and with Power Grip straps, which I really like but I have a set on my Homer that I am going to install with spikes.   Would you use Loctite on the spikes?    As a side question, I've always used beeswax on things like racks and fenders -- does anyone use Loctite for those?  Thanks.

[Chris Chen]

I went with red loctite. The grip kings really need spikes; they start out grippy but after a few months they end up slippy.

On Thu, Oct 2, 2014 at 1:39 PM, R Gonet <richar...@earthlink.net> wrote:

I've used the Grip Kings without spikes and with Power Grip straps, which I really like but I have a set on my Homer that I am going to install with spikes.   Would you use Loctite on the spikes?    As a side question, I've always used beeswax on things like racks and fenders -- does anyone use Loctite for those?  Thanks.

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[Ron Mc]

Reporting on my first ride in the correct shoes on new Thin Gripsters.  Wasn't a very long ride, about 15 mi, but a good clip chasing my daughter.  The answer is they're reliable and invisible - everything you want.  Don't have to think about them, they don't strike the ground in spite of their width (made up for by their thin profile).  Total thumbs up and I'm sold on them over Grip Kings.  I thought their shorter length might cause arch strain, but it didn't happen.  

I sprung for the alloy Fyxation 61 for my daughter's bike.  Part of the reason for the ride was to get her saddle height dialed in with the new pedals.  Had the scare of my life.  She was kind of throwing a fit over the saddle discomfort, and riding with her normal mitochondria charge (her mother is a marathon runner).  We were on a paved bike path and approaching a turn and steep drop to the creek crossing. She turned in hot, locked up her front V-brake and flipped.  Amazingly no significant damage to either the bike or especially her.  To show you her stick-to-it, she had the full spook all of us have after a spill of this magnitude.  After vacillating turn back or keep going, she opted to ride 10 more miles and complete the ride.  

This is a cheap but decent city bike I bought for my daughter when she was turning 11, and it's now her second bike. It had MKS city pedals with half-toe clips, but when she was complaining about stop-and-go at San Antonio Siclovia a few weeks ago, the platform pedal lust kicked in.  I know $90 pedals seem excessive on this bike, but she likes them and maybe we'll find the pedals a nicer home someday...

[Deacon Patrick]

Yipes! Glad she's OK, and the bike too. Yep, I've the VP Vice on both mine and absolutely love them.

With abandon,

Patrick

[Jim Bronson]

The Thin Gripster is also known as the VP-001, I ordered a pair from
Riv in the nice silver color but I also wanted a green pair and was
able to source some green VP-001 for $46 shipped from eBay. They look
exactly identical to the ones I got from Rivendell other than the fact
they're green.

On Thu, Oct 2, 2014 at 12:38 AM, Dave <dave...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Great thread in terms of making me interested in spending more bike money. Blessing and a curse that the great price and special rbw had on the gripsters made them quickly out of stock.
>

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Keep the metal side up and the rubber side down!

[Ron Mc]

not exactly news, but that is surprisingly good price - so was Riv's web special price of $68 - it was enough to make me choose these a gang of different pedals I was also considering.  

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/8436814326799655119?q=VP-001+pedal&rlz=1C1PRFA_enUS414US414&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=625&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.77161500,d.b2U&ion=1&tch=1&ech=1&psi=gTI9VKn_JoPE8gHKkoDwDQ.1413296689587.7&ei=jzI9VKOtGaXy8QHlgYHwDQ&ved=0CJ8BEKkrMAI

[Jim Bronson]

Wow those things have really gone up in price! I'm glad I have my two
pair already.

[David Banzer]

Wanted to update this thread. I bought 2 different pedals, Wellgo FG-1 and GUB P186. Both are really light, both spin great. Sizes are slightly different. The Wellgo FG-1 are an update to MG-1 and are very thin.
FWIW, I think the VP-001 are better looking pedals, but pricewise the Wellgos were $38 shipped, and the GUBs were $33 shipped. Shipping, however, was from China so it did take a few weeks to arrive.
And of course they arrived the day before Riv had the Vp-001s back in stock.
David
Chicago

[Kevin M]

I'm not sure if anyone mentioned this above, but you can dial in the grippyness of these types of pedals by simply removing a couple of pins. 

[Richard]

I've been riding with the thin gripster pedals for about 5 months now. During the summer months in Merrell sandals, and sneakers and socks now that the weather is cooler. The VP001 pedals weight 360 grams. I also own the Xpedo Spry pedals which weight 243 grams, or 117 grams lighter than the Gripsters. I'm certainly no weight-weenie, but lower weight in rotating mass is a plus. They're super light and the platform is huge.

Platform pedals with pins have transformed my riding. The grip is fantastic, even when wet. The only way my foot comes off the pedal, is if I lift it off. My pedal stroke is stronger riding naked, I'll never go back to SPD's or any other foot retention system.

Richard

[Garth]

David,  I'd be interested in how the MG-1 and FG-1 compare in regards to the feel of the cleats.   The MG-1's cleats are small, and with soft sandals it digs right into the flat platform , perfect.  But with the FG-1, the cleats are larger and I'm not sure they're really designed to "dig in", rather more like ride on top of them, as the body itself is not flat with the curve of the body at the end. If they dig in into soft soles, the curve at the end would create a "hump" , which I'm not sure you'd notice or not ! 

  I would not call them an "updated" MG-1, I think they're still being made.  It's it's own pedal altogether as the body shape is completely different, as in not  truly flat .

[Jim Bronson]

The Spry comes in a nice looking silver. How far does it stick out
from the crankarm as compared to the VP-001 "Thin Gripster"? List
price is similar. I'm already using a 20mm Kneesaver pedal extender
so I wouldn't want the pedal to be closer to the crankarm.

http://www.xpedo.com/products/pedals/platform/144/spry

[George Millwood]

I have a set of MacNeil gripster style BMX pedals on my beach cruiser which is an old Specialise Shark Sport.  I ride in the morning on a trip that takes me down to the stadium, back to the lighthouse, around the fishing wharf, along the waterfront, onto the dirt path through the nature reserve and up the bike path to the Bellambi Rock Pool and back.  You can google map it at Wollongong, Australia.  Then eat your heart out cos this is living in god's pocket.

 

This trip has everything.  Smooth asphalt and concrete, rotten asphalt, well made crushed red gravel, poor sand and some ups and downs.  These pedals are magnificent.  My feet never move and i can lift and reposition my feet to get a different set of muscles working for this bit or that hill.  Why BMX?  Dunno, Ross, my mechanic, fitted them and (blush) I liked them cos they colour matched my front hub and Brooks Select.  Now all I need is a black and tan bag to match the overall colour scheme.  I'm using a Carradice green and tan but the green jars.

George Millwood

Wollongong, Australia 

[George Millwood]

Forgot to say that i wear Keen sandals since I ripped a big toenail off in the nature reserve and they are wonderful.  I could wear sneakers and socks in winter but it never gets cold enough.  

Cheers

George

[Joe Bunik]

Hi Richard
Just curious- what cranks are those you have there? And thanks for the
Xpedo rec.!
=- Joe Bunik
Walnut Creek, CA