JohnDThompson 

Put slotted cleats on your shoes and the effect is the same as a modern clipless pedal.

JanMM

Those of us who were a bit less serious wore cycling shoes that were more casual. I went through several pairs of Bata Bikers and a pair of touring shoes from Performance. You could still cinch the strap down fairly tight to secure your foot in the pedal/toe clip.



I realize I'm working with a 60+ man's memory, but I don't recall ever falling over because of toe clips, Power Grips, or clipless pedals. It's not inevitable. [Sound of knuckle rapping on head]

big john

I had the Avocet touring shoes and some Specialized Dirt Dogs which I used with clips and straps on the mtb and touring. I've also had Vitoria, Maresi, Duegi, Dinecta, Pearl Izumi, Shimano, and others.

mprelaw

There are ways. The unplanned stop--like when a dog gets loose, chases you, and cuts in front of you to head you off, forcing a sudden, unplanned stop (first clipless fall). Or when you come to a light, unclip one pedal, balancing on the toes of one foot, and unconsciously lean the wrong way while waiting for the light to change. I never "forget" to unclip at a stop, but sometimes, things just happen. Luckily, almost all falls happen when stopped or at crawl speed, so only your pride gets hurt.

mprelaw

You're talking about one Franklin for inexpensive shoes and a pair of the cheapest SPD or SPD-SL pedals. You can get a set of Shimano R-540 SPD-SL pedals for around $40 online. In fact, I just paid $55 for 105 pedals. Those prices include cleats. Get the pedals and shoes now, and save your pennies for the computer down the road. The computer isn't going to do nearly as much to make you a better rider, at this point, as the pedals will.

OldsCOOL

Strapped and happy since 1974

SortaGrey

Skimming this thread.. most have a 'fall story' due to hooking into the petal. Which I fail to understand... how increasing the likelihood of a fall is acceptable. Saying the obvious.. going down with bike can be your last fall.. from a bike. I simply could not risk NOT being able to ride...........

I just chuckle... remembering a young sales rep at the LBS explaining away how great the petal attachments were. To his credit he did relate his 'near death' experience at a busy intersection upon failing to detach. Seems he went down.. car just missed punching his ticket... he's of course still using them.

Youth. Or the factoring of risk out.. of reality.

daredevil

My post was sarcasm directed at the wise guy who says he will never fall with clips. He's special.

big john

Oops, guess I had the sarcasm detector switched off.

BluesDawg

I guess you will want to stop riding altogether. People fall occasionally no matter what pedal system they use. People rarely fall no matter what pedal system they use. Most falls are not related to pedals.

dstrong 

Been riding clipless for 15 years both road and MTB. Lately however, I've changed my MTB to platforms because of the technical trails here in Austin. I rode clipless on my MTB in California for years but it's a lot of single track on packed trails. Here, it's very rocky and I've found I don't have the confidence to stay clipless on these trails. I surprised myself that I gave up on clipless on the MTB for now.

mprelaw

99.9% of the falls while clipped in come when a rider is stopped or about to stop. If a fall at that "speed" is one's last fall, that person's number was up regardless of what he/she was doing at the time.

You can hurt yourself a lot easier, and a lot more seriously, if a fall is caused by your foot slipping off platform pedals when you're spinning a high cadence.

VNA

Being "attached" to the pedals is not only more comfortable but it is also a lot more efficient to transfer power directly to the pedals without any give or slippage.

But if one has to fall, falling with the modern clipless pedals is a lot safer because as one falls your foot will twist and come off the pedal (hopefully not too late)--with straps and cleats no such luck and that cost me a broken hip!

oldster

I still use toe clips and straps,many years ago I tried cleats on em,ONE,TIME!!joined club tombay,,as you said, real hard to get out of..still have the cleats but will never use em again..and can't see using "clipless"either,guess thats ok on myMotta steel I built in 83
Bud

rsacilotto

Bata Bikers were sweet!! one of my favorites!

Bronze Potato

Yeah, what he said. You just couldn't get out without reaching down and loosening them. Fun when the light was still red and you were at the end of your ability to track stand.

I understand that some people use toe straps loose as hell, we didn't train/race with them that way though.

I guess I'm just a coordinated "wiseguy" as I still bunny hop curbs/RR tracks and holes/bumps too.