Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Riding clips/straps, or, life after clipless...

Even though I have Adidas Minnrets, which are about as close to normal shoes as you can get in a clipless shoe, I've been wanting to ride in street shoes for things like going out, grocery runs, etc.

I grew up riding toe-clips until I was ~ 15 and started to race, at which point I switched to clipless, and ever since that I've used one clipless system or another. Currently I use spd 545 pedals. I like how they have such great power transfer, and there's nothing like being able to pull straight up.

So the problem is this, whenever I try to ride someone else's bike, with toe-clips, it feels unsafe. Like I'm scarred to try a skid 'cause it feels like my feet are going to pull out of the clips. I can't bring myself to try a skip, for the same reason. Also, it feels like, no matter what, I can't get my feet far enough over the pedal to get a good downwards push.

My feet are pretty average size, 10 1/2, and the bikes I've ridden with clips have had "large" clips on them. Is there something I'm doing wrong? Any techniques for getting better pull or feeling more confident in the toe-clips?

Not that your friends will appreciate you messing with their clips/straps (well, maybe they will after they try the 'improved' version) but ghetto double toe straps give me a lot more confidence and power. Simply run a second strap over the toe clip and through the bottom of the pedal (like you did with the first one) and cinch it down. I'm sure real double straps would feel even more secure, but I don't have the $80 to spend on them. I'm pretty sure that I saw some little squares in freewheel while I was visiting SF that can be used to keep the two straps spaced properly on the clip. Of course I could be wrong and imagining things, or making up an (unintended) use for them.

I'm pretty sure that I use LG clips on my bike (I don't have it with me right now, and it's been a long while since I bought the clips) and I have small feet (size 8 - 8.5). I too like to shove my foot in pretty far. They do make shoes for clips/straps that have a cleat, those would really lock you in, but I never saw much of a point in clip/straps cleated shoes, might as well go clipless at that point IMO.

I go LL clips to get my feet in deep (size 10.5/11 US) and use leather straps run real tight. Make it hurt and then back off until they don't hurt anymore.

clipless will condition you to pull on your pedals in a way that won't work if you ride clips and straps without cleats (for cleats for clips that fit the LOOK or the two hole pattern go to yellowjersey.com. They have the stuff to convert your clipless shoes into clip and strap monsters that will ensure better power transfer that anything else).
So when riding with clips and straps don't try to pull back but "up" with your. Pull with the top of your feet not the bottom. When pulling also remember to keep your ankle more rigid that you would in clipless shoes to avoid slipping out.

Sounds like my legs are gonna be sore all over again...

and your feet!

Ugh, maybe I'll just stick to clipless for real riding and put the toe-clips on a beater/craptastic bike for errands. Clips sound like more work for less power....

have you tried riding platforms with straps? they allow you to slide more foot and you get a better feel...