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Double toe clips? Why?

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Old 11-26-19 | 03:10 PM
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Double toe clips? Why?

I have come across this setup before, but I still can't think of a reason. So I thought I'd ask here.

Why would you want a double set of toe clips mounted on your pedals?

Safety? Style?

Would three be even better?

Please enlighten me.





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Old 11-26-19 | 03:38 PM
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PISTA

For use on track bikes. A strong rider could get seriously injured if a toe clip or toe strap broke in a hard sprint.

I've seen them used on road bikes too - gorilla mashers.

Christophe made double toe clips that were riveted together.

Some setups used double toe straps too.

Use of these has become popular among the fixie set...

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Old 11-26-19 | 03:39 PM
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My best guess? Beefier! Doubled up, the clips would be less likely to bend or snap under hard riding. A stiffer platform should also transfer greater power during the pedal stroke right?
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Old 11-26-19 | 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by verktyg
PISTA

For use on track bikes. A strong rider could get seriously injured if a toe clip or toe strap broke in a hard sprint.

I've seen them used on road bikes too - gorilla mashers.

Christophe made double toe clips that were riveted together.

Some setups used double toe straps too.

verktyg
Thanks, Chas. I recall seeing those Christophe sets that were actually riveted together.

I myself have broken straps in the past, so I can understand wanting to beef those up. But the clips? That would take some toe strength ...

Having said that, they do break, as you can actually see in the pair pictured above, but always at the strap loop IME. And that's the one thing that is not doubled on these sets.

Anyway, thanks for your replies, guys.

Originally Posted by verktyg
Use of these has become popular among the fixie set...
Best to split these up then, if I am going to use them ...
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Old 11-26-19 | 04:24 PM
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I have a friend who uses the double straps, on track pedals with spikeless track shoes. Bug-time track-stander, no helmet ever, Mr. Cool I'm SkilledLookAtMe. And yes, I was impressed.

Until his L pedal worked its way out. 17 staples in the back of his head, courtesy of a curb and not being able to free himself, and no skid lid.

Another reason I'll have Campy pedals at Brazen Dropouts swap meet.
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Old 11-26-19 | 04:29 PM
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I've had a these for years. The guy I got them from claimed they were for mountain biking. They have a separate loop for the strap and are tack welded at the mount. A deep toe as well.
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Old 11-26-19 | 04:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr. 66
I've had a these for years. The guy I got them from claimed they were for mountain biking. They have a separate loop for the strap and are tack welded at the mount. A deep toe as well.
Those are really nicely made! Thanks for posting them. What brand, should anybody ask?
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Old 11-26-19 | 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by non-fixie
Those are really nicely made! Thanks for posting them. What brand, should anybody ask?
I don't know, here's another shot with the logo and size.



Does anyone know?
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Old 11-26-19 | 06:47 PM
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Cyclocross. They would be stomped on. Unavoidable. Doubling up gave at least some hope a foot would still go in. Not theory. Done it. Many did it.
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Old 11-26-19 | 08:31 PM
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Originally Posted by 63rickert
Cyclocross. They would be stomped on. Unavoidable. Doubling up gave at least some hope a foot would still go in. Not theory. Done it. Many did it.
What 63rickert said, old school cyclocross toe clips were doubled
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Old 11-26-19 | 10:04 PM
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Originally Posted by 63rickert
Cyclocross. They would be stomped on. Unavoidable. Doubling up gave at least some hope a foot would still go in. Not theory. Done it. Many did it.
First bike mag I ever bought, Bike World, had an article on CX. Article talked about how to set up a bike for CX. Many things were optional, but double toe clips, riveted together at home, were considered a must have. That was early 70’s.
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Old 11-27-19 | 12:33 AM
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Originally Posted by 63rickert
Cyclocross. They would be stomped on. Unavoidable. Doubling up gave at least some hope a foot would still go in. Not theory. Done it. Many did it.
Thanks. That makes a lot of sense.
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Old 11-27-19 | 10:47 AM
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Never broken a clip myself but a friend did at the furthest point from home on a long loop.
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Old 11-27-19 | 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Mr. 66
I don't know, here's another shot with the logo and size.



Does anyone know?
Looks a bit like the G Fisher logo, but only 1/2.
edit: a 1990 Fisher SuperCaliber (no suspension, x-country racer) came with cheap - but effective - plastic clips and cloth straps.
"In 1991, GF sold his company to Taiwanese Anlen corp, staying on as an executive."
Trek bought the troubled organization in 1993.

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Old 11-27-19 | 02:20 PM
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Woo-hoo non-fixie!

Bonus points for being mounted on Wa pedals.

"Long live Way-Assauto!"


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Old 11-27-19 | 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted by juvela
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Woo-hoo non-fixie!

Bonus points for being mounted on Wa pedals.

"Long live Way-Assauto!"


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Yes, and they should clean up well.
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Old 11-27-19 | 05:11 PM
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Makes sense. Including strapping in even with clipless. I'm wondering whether the two times Lance Armstrong yanked a foot out of his clipless pedals in the TdF whether he was using the zero float cleats. Seems like those would be a little easier to unclip from accidentally if the foot twisted during hard acceleration. Which was what he was doing both times it occurred -- once at the start of a time trial, the other time standing to accelerate up a climb.

I'm pretty sloppy with my technique so I like the Look and Shimano cleats with lots of float. Even when I've yanked up so hard on the pedals during a standing climb the back wheel came off the ground, I've never accidentally unclipped. Yet.

I might ask him if I see him at the next local event. Probably the only burning question I've ever had about his career. The rest have been done to death.
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Old 11-27-19 | 06:59 PM
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Double Toe Clips Off Road

I forgot about CX, MTB and Rough Stuff riding.

I used to double up toe clips when we first started off road Rough Stuff back in the mid 70's. I also carried extra straps (extra spokes too). Getting stuck in the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico in late afternoon with 10-15 miles back to the car wasn't something we wanted to do.

Old picture in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico from November, 1977 that I've posted many times before. There were no tracks, we were riding deer trails. The altitude was ~9,000'. We had to get back down to ~7.500'



What happens with the clips is they get smushed closed when your foot comes out and you miss going back in or they bend at the rivets. They have to be bent back open. Eventually the steel hardens and cracks from repeated bending.

We used touring shoes without cleats or walking shoes with stiff soles.

Adidas Tabac shoes worked great for me.



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Old 11-28-19 | 08:56 AM
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Originally Posted by verktyg
Old picture in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico from November, 1977 that I've posted many times before. There were no tracks, we were riding deer trails. The altitude was ~9,000'. We had to get back down to ~7.500'

verktyg
That looks kinda familiar. I accidentally slept in a deer graveyard one night, in New Mexico. 😲😉 As you know, it can be a long way between towns, so camping out is pretty normal. I found out, why sensible folks stop to set up camp, BEFORE it gets dark out.

I couldn't see very well, even with a flashlight, but got into a stand of pines, and just rolled out my sleeping bag. In the morning, I realized I was right in a deer graveyard. There were bones from probably 10 or 12 deer, but thank goodness, nothing fresh. 🙄😁

It turned out fine, but since then, I make sure I stop & set up camp, while there's still plenty of light. 👍 No telling what else I "might" find.
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Old 11-29-19 | 01:02 AM
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Camping Out

Originally Posted by stardognine
That looks kinda familiar. I accidentally slept in a deer graveyard one night, in New Mexico. 😲😉 As you know, it can be a long way between towns, so camping out is pretty normal. I found out, why sensible folks stop to set up camp, BEFORE it gets dark out.

I couldn't see very well, even with a flashlight, but got into a stand of pines, and just rolled out my sleeping bag. In the morning, I realized I was right in a deer graveyard. There were bones from probably 10 or 12 deer, but thank goodness, nothing fresh. 🙄😁

It turned out fine, but since then, I make sure I stop & set up camp, while there's still plenty of light. 👍 No telling what else I "might" find.
OH Dear!

Yes... Been-air Done-nat... set up camp in the dark that is.

That photo was taken at Tent Rocks in the Jemez Mountains in November, 1977. Hard to believe, 42 years ago!



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Last edited by verktyg; 11-29-19 at 01:07 AM.
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