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Rat trap pedals

Old 07-07-20, 07:09 PM
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csuperbike
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Rat trap pedals

Is anyone still using/liking rat trap pedals?
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Old 07-07-20, 07:19 PM
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Originally Posted by csuperbike
Is anyone still using/liking rat trap pedals?
I do!!! And yes, I tried clipless pedals in the 90s but a toe cage and strap is where it's at, for me. Except on my mtbs. Flat pedals for sure.
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Old 07-07-20, 07:21 PM
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You mean this?



Yes, I use them for commuting and utility bikes, which before COVID was all my riding. I'd tried clipless for that service but I was then restricted on shoes. I spin relatively fast and I need more constraint than just flat pedals. The "rat traps" give me some constraint with normal shoes that I can walk around in.

I've been using clipless lately on some recreational bikes. I think I can accelerate faster with clipless because I can pull up with more force than with the "rat traps".

Last edited by flangehead; 07-07-20 at 07:22 PM. Reason: Fix some bad grammar.
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Old 07-07-20, 08:19 PM
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Yes. I recently sold this frame set, but still have the pedals and will likely use them on something else, as I really like them.


Also Bear Trap pedals...

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Old 07-07-20, 08:25 PM
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Originally Posted by flangehead
You mean this?



Yes, I use them for commuting and utility bikes, which before COVID was all my riding. I'd tried clipless for that service but I was then restricted on shoes. I spin relatively fast and I need more constraint than just flat pedals. The "rat traps" give me some constraint with normal shoes that I can walk around in.

I've been using clipless lately on some recreational bikes. I think I can accelerate faster with clipless because I can pull up with more force than with the "rat traps".
Wrong
The "rat traps" you are referring to are actually toe clips and straps. It is that type of metal framed pedal that is referred to as a rat trap pedal, so the picture depicts rat trap pedals with toe clips and straps
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Old 07-07-20, 08:27 PM
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Originally Posted by alcjphil
The "rat traps you are referring to are actually toe clips and straps. It is that type of metal framed pedal that is referred to as a rat trap pedal, so the picture depicts rat trap pedals with toe clips and straps
Thanks. I posted the picture because I’ve heard the term used both ways.
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Old 07-07-20, 08:28 PM
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Arthur Peabody
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I do. I'm not into performance and need to walk around.
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Old 07-08-20, 07:39 AM
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csuperbike
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Originally Posted by alcjphil
Wrong
The "rat traps" you are referring to are actually toe clips and straps. It is that type of metal framed pedal that is referred to as a rat trap pedal, so the picture depicts rat trap pedals with toe clips and straps
This. Exactly what I meant 👍. I do like some of the other setups as well
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Old 07-08-20, 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by flangehead

I spin relatively fast and I need more constraint than just flat pedals. The "rat traps" give me some constraint with normal shoes that I can walk around in.
Don't know exactly what rat traps are, but I use toe clips and MTB shoes with no cleats for the reasons quoted. I leave the straps loose, so you won't likely set me falling down due to a dropped chain or mere forgetfulness.
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Old 07-08-20, 12:22 PM
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I use them. Tried Speedplay and could never get them to click in reliably and I got tired of falling over.

So I went back to clips and straps along with some shoes that came with an optional (use it if I want it) cover plate on the sole.
All I wanted was to keep my feet from sliding off the pedals. The cobo works great.
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Old 07-08-20, 05:21 PM
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Why do you ask?
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Old 07-08-20, 05:25 PM
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These are rat traps: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/7b/63/1c/7...17974c25e6.jpg

These are quills: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/01...g?v=1571262527

Both take toe clips and straps. IIRC, Quills are road racing pedals. By the 1970s, they became the pedals of choice in the marketplace for bikes sold by LBSes. The problem is that some of us, including me, have feet that don't fit inside the quill. By the mid-'80s, there might have been good rat traps, but I couldn't find them. Foot discomfort is one of the reasons I gave up riding in the early '90s.

I tried SPDs, but never trusted my ability to get out of the clips in an emergency; besides, I had a hot spot with SPDs. I tried pinned flat pedals and never went back to being clipped in or quills. The flat pinned pedals give me a lot more surface area for my feet thatn the other solutions I tried. If that's TMI, I apologize.
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Old 07-08-20, 11:12 PM
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Bill in VA
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I use MKS rat traps and MKS toeclips and straps. Went from Lyotard rat traps and toeclips and straps, to Campy quills, etc., to KKT quills, etc., to Shimano XTRs SPDs, back to the MKS setup for all (or parts of all) the reasons above.
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Old 07-09-20, 08:06 AM
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Agree that rat traps and quills are two different pedal styles.
My spouse uses MKS rat traps and generic plastic half clips on her Trek e-assist bike.
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