Road Cycling - Shoes + toecage pedals?

Hey, folks,

I'm on a very limited budget, and I was wondering if I could get by with some cycling shoes in regular toe-cage style pedals. I saw some Nikes with just enough hard tread on the sole to grip on a standard pedal (there were some nearby for me to test this out on). Will this idea get me killed before I can buy some speedplays? Or will I actually see some improvement over my Reeboks this way?

Thanks!

peawee03,
I think what you mean is a "Toe Clip", before the clipless pedal was invented the toe clip was the invention of the year and you should not worry about getting killed in one. Please don't get me wrong on this one, I used toe clip, until I can afford to buy the clipless pedal, They are sometimes very prohibitive.

To get a safe exit from toe-clips you need shoes with a clean profile. I dont like knobbly soles or mouldings at the side, these can catch.
I have used Shimano leisure cycling shoes , but I felt safer rounding off some of the grip on the soles.
Most high-end MTB pedals have a hard plastic, rather than rubber sole, and verry aggressive knobles. These are probably not safe in toe clips.
You can use hiking shoes or indoor soccer shoes, both have fairly stiff soles.

Toe Clips work fine I ride with them every day wearing a pair of New Balance Cross Trainers. My only suggestion is to get the type that does not have the side straps, it makes it alot easier to get out of them quick if you need to.

Having a bike equipped with old fashioned toe clips give the advantage of being able to wear regular sport shoes. Clip-in cycling shoes are pretty uncomfortable for walking. As for performance I couldn't comment as I have no experience with SPDs. Seems that the principal and the mechanism is the same.