Originally Posted by
Kilroy1988
What would they have looked like? I can't find many good images of antique cycling shoes, but most photos of racers with their feet on the ground suggest that the soles of their shoes are flat.
And in any case, it does not change the fact that many early styles of clip were used without straps and most likely without cleats. There are hundreds of images of riders in late-19th/early-20th century photos and paintings that show clips being used as the primary way to secure footing over a pedal, often without the aid of straps. This goes against any argument suggesting that clips were designed not to be fit snugly over a rider's shoes.
They would have been nailed on cleats. Nail ons are quite shallow and you can't tell from the pictures of Mojo Taylor whether he has them or not.
Speedplay has a
pretty cool pedal history museum online.
I'd imagine the simple leather 'tourist' type were probably first. Some old timers still used these when I got into cycling.
Typical nail on cleats:
Later rubber touring cleats:
