Clips are use now for track racing but they were standard equipment up until the mid90s on road and mountain bikes. And you can fall over in clips just as easily as you can in clipless.

There really is nothing special about fixed gear that needs clipless or toeclips as compared to a freewheeling bike. In fact, people used to say not to use clips or clipless on fixed for the same (wrong) reasons that they say not to use clips or clipless while commuting. I use clipless everywhere...road, off-road, winter and summer commuting, touring, recreational, etc. Getting used to them is very easy and relatively quick. If you are having trouble getting out of them after a day of riding, the pedal's release mechanism is probably too tight.


You are actually somewhat lucky when it comes to bicycling shoes. I see your size (European size 47 or 48) commonly on the sale rack. My size (44 to 45) is in the more average range and seldom makes it to the sales table.

And you don't need two sets of shoes. Mountain bike shoes are easy to walk in for a very long time if necessary. Most of them don't look any different from other athletic shoes.

And, finally, on the cold feet, that's an equipment issue. I've used all kinds of methods for keeping my feet warm in winter. Some...like neoprene shoe covers...work and others...like rag wool shoe covers... don't. I invested in a set of bicycling boots a couple of years ago and, while they weren't cheap, they are a great improvement over even shoe covers. I expect them to last me 5 to 10 years which makes them a bargain. I look on all bicycling shoes that I own that way. Most of them last at least 5 years and my previous winter shoes (not nearly as good as my boots) lasted somewhere around 15. That works out to a few dollars per year and I wasted more than that on "fixes". As the saying goes, "only a rich man can afford cheap tools".