WebFootFreak

I'm feeling rather stupid right now. I've been searching, and I just can't seem to find what I'm looking for.

I wear my running shoes when I bike. I am not ready to invest in a set of clipless shoes/pedals until I actually get a decent bike. What I'm looking for is the strap/buckle/cage that you just slip your foot into. I've done plenty of searches, and all I seem to find are toe clips and clipless... can anyone point me in the right direction?

Rick

lesscan

Toe Clips ARE the cages.
The lock in pedals they call clipless and the cages are basically called Clips because the cages are clipped on to the pedal.
I know. Its confusing!

IMO.... you DONT want them!
They are so difficult and cumbersome to get your feet into.
I would just wait until you can get a new bike and get clipless or the hybrids which have both, clipless and nothing.
One side you lock in your cycling shoe and the other side you just rest your shoe on.
The other suggestion given to me was NOT to wear running shoes because they have no support. Either wear stiff soled shoes like hiking shoes or just buy some clipless shoes (not cleats) so when you get the new bike, you will already have the shoes.

Here is a good example...

These are Mountain Biking shoes, but you get the idea.
https://www.performancebike.com/bike...ductId=1111568
https://www.performancebike.com/bike...ductId=1132768

Whats nice is these can either lock in to clipless or you can use them with regular pedals and the lock is embedded in the sole so you can walk easier than cleats.

I dropped a few links up there for you to see some different styles.

demoncyclist

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...y=&searchTerm=

That page has 2 different pedals, plus toe cages and straps available.

Roosterbird

you know if you get a new bike you can swap out the pedals, go for the clipless and then you can use them on the new bike too.

Wilfred Laurier

i agree that toe clips are terrible
it is too likely that your foot gets snagged on the way in or out
but clipless pedals are easy and consistent
once you figure them out

lesscan

Thats what happened to me. Just as I was test riding the bike in the store, the first thing I thought was, "Im gettin rid of these pedals."
I went with the Forte Hybrid Pedals so I wouldnt be stuck with one style over the other.

coupster

Power Grips.

lesscan

Whats so special about those?

coupster

They offer similar shoe/pedal retention as clipless pedals without the requirement of a cleat - in a form that can be adapted to just about any shoe shape. I used to ride in steel toed work boots without a problem. That said they are not super easy to set up or adjust but once they are - you're done. Switching between drastically different shaped shoes is not recommended; i.e sneakers to work boots and back again.

I prefer my traditional Look pedals but only if all I'm doing is riding - throw extensive walking into the mix and I'll take SPD's but not all shoes are cleat compatible - my townie rig is set up with power grips.

And just for the record I rode toe clips and straps with cleats many many miles ago. Ride what you're comfortable with.

Retro Grouch 

I'm going to disagree with the folks who said toe clips and straps are bad.

They do require a "knack" for inserting your foot but it's easily learned. Many pedals have a little "ear" on the bottom to make it easier to flip the pedal over when you want to insert your foot.

I NEVER had any trouble removing my foot except, of course, when I used the hard cord toe clip, shoe clip and tight strap combination. I never developed that skill well enough to be comfortable using it in traffic.

In the interest of full disclosure, however, I haven't used toe clip and strap pedals for at least a couple of decades. These days I use either SPD or flat top pedals.

fietsbob

Even having any retention other than gravity holding your foot on the pedal , is questionable.

Large platform pedals are fine , after 45 years of cycling ,

for my daily use, I use regular pedals and shoes..

I have found Ergon offers a curved surface pedal..

foot centers automatically a good grip patch in the center, and reflectors are large..

but metal MTB pedals are OK too.. various at all sorts of price points, too..


the tread texture makes sliding the shoe into much of any retention devise

questionable,

because powergrips are a diagonal strap twisting your foot out

will release the shoe, but the spongy sole of running shoes

will have you feeling the pedal edges,

so a broad surface, platform pedal, is still advisable..

lesscan

I agree with all the above as they are all personal opinions based on experience.
It really depends on what your intentions and goals are of riding.
If youre just riding around the neighborhood with the kids or a quick run to the convenience store, then NO, you probably dont need either toe clips nor clipless pedals. If youre doing some off road MTBing, then Yeah, you probably do.

My goal is a 100 mile road ride, so I need something that will keep my feet comfortable and will utilize every ounce of energy I have.
I dont want to use toe clips because I dont trust them with road traffic. Ive spend entirely too much time and effort trying to get my foot in the harness than I feel is safe.
As for clipless, there are literally hundreds of different kinds of shoes & cleats available to choose from that there is bound ot be a right one for everyone.

But ultimately, as Coupster said, wear/use whatever you're comfortable with.

Looigi

Become comfortable with whatever will serve your purposes the best.

Nightshade

Consider these well liked BMX pedals that will hold your foot in place without the bother of clips or straps............

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_549650_-1___

I''ve used an earlier version of these pedals on all my bikes for years with great success. Try'em....you'll like'm!!!

martianone

Consider the MKS AR2 pedal, they are a platform road pedal, feel good, last well and fairly inexpensive.
Also go to the MKS website, MKSpedal.com
lots of good pedal info.

WebFootFreak

So many choices... My brain is going to pop...

Okay.... As much as I'd love a clipless setup, the money isn't there. I'm just trying to find a cost-effective solution to be able to add up-stroke power.

*edited for excessive whining and TMI - my apologies*

lesscan

OK... then 2 suggestions.....

#1 . Its possible your new bike wont come with pedals or will have pedals you wont want and will want to replace anyway. So getting new pedals NOW, not such a big deal.

#2 . If you just wanna use what you have now, then Power Grips might be the way to go.

Take your bike into your LBS or an area Performance Bicycle and ask them to see what they have in stock.
PB is also avail online if you dont have a local retailer near you.

Good luck!