Originally Posted by
FBinNY
The power benefits of toe clips are exaggerated, but that doesn't mean that they're not without purpose.
The main purpose is to hold your foot in the right place on the pedal, and ensure that it doesn't slip out of position or off entirely.
Of course, they're a mixed blessing, and can be a nuisance in urban riding where you have to set a foot down every few blocks. That nuisance level depends on how used to and comfortable you are using clips.
I agree. I used toeclips for years and mine were on pedals with a ridge at the rear which trapped the shoe very well to allow for confident fast spinning. I have since moved to the cheap shimano MB clipless system and it's like chalk and cheese. I have never been "trapped" in them and fell because when i freak out and pull my foot up aggressively they pop right out. This is possible because the pedals have release adjustment screws that can be set very loosely, so to speak. One day I might tighten them, if my foot ever pops out without me wanting it too but I don't pull up on the backstroke so it may never happen.
Skeptics really ought to look into these new state of the art systems, as far as I'm concerned they are a lot safer than platforms and a hell of lot more comfortable once they are setup correctly. Having said all that though, if I was forced to ride beside traffic on a busy road (which I refuse to do) I think I would use basic flat pedals, so if a semi truck was going to crush me into a parked car, I could quickly abandon the bike and climb up onto the truck instead.