#HTE

Convertible Bike Pedals That Actually Make Sense

Simple good ideas are what design is all about. Fly Pedals deliver one surprisingly simple (and surprisingly colorful) good idea that appeals to the serious cyclist with a limited quiver of bikes. 

What Fly Pedals offer is dead simple: a lightweight clipless-to-flat pedal converter that doesn’t suck. The design is an aircraft grade aluminum platform with traction spikes and bolt holes that match the cleat patterns for major pedal brand. That’s it. This stiff platform snaps into whatever pedals you already have. Simple, elegant, function, and still the only “universal” converter you can find. 

If you ride clipless and use your bike for more than long hard hammerfests, you probably know the bummer of swapping out pedals for casual rides, riding on uncomfortable (not to mention dangerously low-traction) pedals in street shoes, or skating all over the floor of a coffee shop thanks to your slippery little road cleats. It’s a common irritation, yet the options for flat-plus-clipless pedals aren’t great either.

To use these, grab extra cleats that match your pedals (they’re cheap online, and decent pedals come with a couple sets anyway), bolt them to the converters, and then stash the platforms where you’re likely to need them. In use they snap into and out of your pedal with the tension and movement that you’re used to, and provide way more surface area, comfort and traction for street shoes. 

A snug-fitting platform converter can make grocery runs, coffee rides, or commutes more leisurely, or let you commute comfy and race during lunch. Another benefit is the lowered wear and tear you’ll put on fancy bike shoes and cleats, which can add up fast if you commute or ride with the wrong gear. (Trust me. I could have fed a neurotic purebred pet on last year’s budget for Sidis.) 

Rather than trying to fit both flats and clipless in the same design poorly, (the current industry standard method), this pair serves both needs with minimal fuss. The Fly Pedals stack together neatly when off the bike, and even with road cleats they’re smaller than a sandwich. 

As discussed in the self-teasing video, the brand’s current Kickstarter will see the newest version of the pedal released in a range of colors for the first time. Which is a wise move, considering how much personal style and love and time and lust and money some of us pour into our beautiful two-wheeled babies.  

Plus, they’re now all cast and painted in the USA, which has only upped the finish quality and fun. Add velcro power straps and this is starting to get serious about your lazy off-day riding.

For $39 earlybird bucks they’d make a simple nicety to keep in your kit, garage, car, even a seat bag or Camelbak. And with these 6 slightly blinding color options you can match your flats to your sweet rig (or car or garage or Camelbak…). Pretty fly!

The Fly Pedals campaign runs through July 10, 2016.