By Lou Melini — Power Grips are straps that you attach to your pedals to enhance power to pedaling motion, especially uphill. I purchased my first, and only, set of Power Grips in the fall of 2016. Prior to retiring, I rode to work clipped into my Speedplay Frog pedals. I could leave shoes at work, so being clipped in wasn’t a issue. If I went to the grocery store, I would just ride the short distance on top of the Frog pedals with hiking shoes.
After retirement and the start of a volunteer job, riding clipped in was no longer a suitable option. Carrying shoes to the volunteer job was inconvenient. I purchased the Power Grips after looking at a few other pedal strap systems. According to the Power Grip website over 250,000 Power Grips have been purchased. I have not been disappointed with my choice.
I am assuming that I have about 10,000 miles of use with the Power Grips. I don’t have the clipped in power I had, but I have enough to make my commutes easier than if I just rode on flat pedals without the straps. The straps are showing age, but I think they will last several more years. One reviewer on the Adventure Cycling Association stated he had his Power Grips for 10 years, though he did not state mileage.
The straps are simple to install. I’ve tightened the bolts once or twice since installation. The strap is adjustable for different shoe sizes. At the adjustment clamp, I’ve had the strap pull out on 3 occasions but it’s a simple fix. Putting your foot into the strap is also simple, perhaps because I still can remember the 25 years that I used toe clips and straps on my pedals. There are a few reviews of Power Grips that complain about the difficulty of getting into Power Grips. On occasion this may be true. Overall, I have had an easy time inserting and releasing my foot from the Power Grips.
I would highly recommend the straps for cyclists for cyclists that currently use flat pedals but need to negotiate uphill terrain. You can buy the straps to attach to your current pedals or purchase straps and pedals as a set. Prices for the straps start at $22.50 and go to $40 for the extra long size. The strap/pedal systems range from $40 to $85 depending on pedal quality.
Lou Melini is a lifelong bicycle commuter, and the former Commuter Column editor for Cycling West.
Hola Yo’ll
The Power Grips information is Ok for folks who may commute on a bicycle such as Lou Melini. The moment one rides any Recumbent – this person has set them self up for a foot slippage accident when this person rides.
The above is for all “able body” people. If you address a person who may be An Stroke Survivor or with MS or Palsy or Wearing A Prostatic Leg or ~ this person is lucky if they are able to ride 100 feet and still have their foot properly on the Pedal when Power Grips are used.
I hope others will comment on the use of this strap for recumbents. There are special ankle supports for anyone with weakness. Suggesting that this method can be dangerous for regular use requires evidence of some kind IMO. I will be using them on my recumbent trike shortly and will report my experience here.
I don’t use them on every bike, but I’ve used them for over 20 years. A decade of use will certainly put wear into the strap but it will remain usable. I know they will often outlast pedals. Power Grips are an obvious choice for off road and mtb riders.
My preference for straps paired with Odyssey Triple Trap pedals gained many comments over the years.
Hey all, I’ve been using Power Grips for more than 15 years and well over 20,000km’s (I’m Canadian). I do a lot of multi day/week/month touring and in the last few years, bikepacking as well. They’ve never failed me and feel great on the road or trail. I’m on my 4th set now, and I go through 2 or 3 sets of pedals per set of straps, so they last a long time. One of the big advantages is that I can wear just about any shoe I want, which makes walking around and hiking while on tour so much easier than having to bring special shoes for clip in pedals.