pedals and toe clips
#26
Old fart



Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,411
Likes: 5,350
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
I recently tried the VO half clips with MKS Touring pedals. I liked them better than no clips but not as much as full clips and straps.
Advance apologies to Tom: Holiday, I recently bought a pair of vintage cycling shoes and my LBS has cheap used SPD pedals. What cleats do I need to use these shoes with SPD pedals? I'm clipless ignorant.

Advance apologies to Tom: Holiday, I recently bought a pair of vintage cycling shoes and my LBS has cheap used SPD pedals. What cleats do I need to use these shoes with SPD pedals? I'm clipless ignorant.

BTW, I'm interested in those 2-bolt slotted cleats if you're looking to get rid of them.
#27
John, what kind of pedals uses these slotted cleats?
#29
#30
Fat Guy on a Little Bike


Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15,946
Likes: 371
From: Philadelphia, PA
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
I have a size 12 foot (46 Euro) and have always had difficulty with shoes and pedals. I also have flat feet, so often I can develop pressure points in my foot if things aren't properly set...
No question - the best set up for me are SPDs with a cycling sandal (I use Keenes). When cold, I use MTB shoes...preferably something with velcro and some flex in the upper. In my younger days, before SPDs, and when I was a wannabe competitive rider...I used Time pedals and Nike cycling shoes...became they came in widths and tended to run less narrow than the Euro stuff.
No question - the best set up for me are SPDs with a cycling sandal (I use Keenes). When cold, I use MTB shoes...preferably something with velcro and some flex in the upper. In my younger days, before SPDs, and when I was a wannabe competitive rider...I used Time pedals and Nike cycling shoes...became they came in widths and tended to run less narrow than the Euro stuff.
#31
Old fart



Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,411
Likes: 5,350
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
#32
curmudgineer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,417
Likes: 113
From: Chicago SW burbs
Bikes: 2 many 2 fit here
I've only ever ridden with clips and straps and never found them lacking. There is the knack of getting your shoe into the clip when starting out which isn't all that tough really. The only issue I have is in modern times, cycling shoes have these lateral velcro straps which completely interfere with getting clipped in, no fault of the clips. Next shoes I buy will have laces only, or longitudinal zippers, if such shoes exist.
A nice thing about clips/straps is, in a pinch, you can ride them quite comfortably and effectively in regular shoes, should the need arise.
A nice thing about clips/straps is, in a pinch, you can ride them quite comfortably and effectively in regular shoes, should the need arise.
#33
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 6
From: Nampa Idaho
Bikes: 76' Centrurion Pro-Tour, 86' Specialized Rock Hopper, 88' Centurion Iron Man, 89' Bruce Gordon "Hikari", 95' Rock Hopper Ultra.
#34
Thread Starter
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,338
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I had a pair of these long ago. They were well liked, then. I wonder why they went out of production. Maybe we should urge V-O to make them.
I didn't find them comfortable. My arch would get bent around the edge. But hmm, maybe my toe clips were just too long back then.
Aaron, I can't believe your feet are as big as mine!
I didn't find them comfortable. My arch would get bent around the edge. But hmm, maybe my toe clips were just too long back then.
Aaron, I can't believe your feet are as big as mine!
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#36
Rustbelt Rider
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,105
Likes: 390
From: Canton, OH
Bikes: 1990 Trek 1420 - 1978 Raleigh Professional - 1973 Schwinn Collegiate - 1974 Schwinn Suburban
I've been riding spd's for the past 14 years or so and in my situation couldnt imagine not having them for a few reasons:
- my size 13/14 feet dont fit well on those tiny pedals.
- getting into straps while at a light is a pain though I'm sure it gets easier over time, but why should i bother?
- i havent done a lot of experimenting, but spd shoes have very stiff soles. i havent found any shoes that dont either slip on regular pedals, and also have a stiff sole. cushy soles make for un-comforable feet after just a few miles for me.
So anyway, with all that said, I just this week ordered a set of these to try with MKS touring pedals:

i'm hoping that they might be a good compromise if I can find the right shoe and they still look kinda retro.
- my size 13/14 feet dont fit well on those tiny pedals.
- getting into straps while at a light is a pain though I'm sure it gets easier over time, but why should i bother?
- i havent done a lot of experimenting, but spd shoes have very stiff soles. i havent found any shoes that dont either slip on regular pedals, and also have a stiff sole. cushy soles make for un-comforable feet after just a few miles for me.
So anyway, with all that said, I just this week ordered a set of these to try with MKS touring pedals:

i'm hoping that they might be a good compromise if I can find the right shoe and they still look kinda retro.
I tried these half clips and couldn't really find any advantage in using them. I just took mine off last week and will probably sell them.
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#37
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 158
From: Santa Fe, NM
Bikes: Vassago Moosknuckle Ti 29+ XTR, 90's Merckx Corsa-01 9sp Record, PROJECT: 1954 Frejus SuperCorsa
I have 3 pairs of shoes (bike shoes, casual shoes and sandals) with Crank Bros cleats, so have Crank Bros pedals on my bikes. I like the Acid 1's for the platform, but will probably get a set of these for my Marinoni. They have a larger platform, and are available in silver for a decent C&V aesthetic: "Mallet"
#38
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,929
Likes: 2
The advantage of them is this - they stop your foot from shooting off the front of the pedal and having the pedals serrated edges gouge the heck out of your achilles tendon area.
#39
Rustbelt Rider
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,105
Likes: 390
From: Canton, OH
Bikes: 1990 Trek 1420 - 1978 Raleigh Professional - 1973 Schwinn Collegiate - 1974 Schwinn Suburban
Uh? I was using them on Atom "rat trap" pedals which seem to grip my shoe pretty well and are two sided.
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#40
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,929
Likes: 2
If it never happens to you count yourself lucky. Stuff happens, if it happens to you, then you will appreciate their usefulness.
Other than stopping that forward motion, I think they are marginally useful. I suppose they are also useful to ensure your foot is properly placed (fore-aft) over the pedal's spindle.
Other than stopping that forward motion, I think they are marginally useful. I suppose they are also useful to ensure your foot is properly placed (fore-aft) over the pedal's spindle.
#41
Rustbelt Rider
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,105
Likes: 390
From: Canton, OH
Bikes: 1990 Trek 1420 - 1978 Raleigh Professional - 1973 Schwinn Collegiate - 1974 Schwinn Suburban
Yes, I will agree with that. I have missed the feel of them on my toes out of habit. I do pedal with the balls of my feet though, even on my 3 speed roadster with the smooth Raleigh pedals. As far as safety is concerned I would never say anything is impossible but I also feel like it's a low risk... now if it ever happens I will think of you and curse the day I didn't head your post.
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|_..._..._______===|=||_|__|..., ] -
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#42
I always worry about if my shoes are a wet from dew or rain and I start mashing up a large hill. I may need to ret these on my townie bike just for safety, thaey seem like a good compromise between full cages and nothing at all.
#43
#44
that's the main reason I want them. this has happened to me several times, likely because of my giant feet and maybe using not very grippy pedals.
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#45
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 29
From: Madison, WI
Can't stand clips. I want to be able to ride my bike whenever I want, under whatever terms I want, not have one narrow pair of shoes that I have to wear when I ride, and have to deal with fooling around trying to flip the pedal and get my feet in when I've only got 10 seconds to cross the intersection anyway. Especially when it's really hot out or you know you're gonna be walking around down-town, so you feel like wearing flip flops. Tried that for all of about 4 seconds once.
I might see it differently if I was one of the 'century on my day off' kind of people, but as it stands I'm a '30mi on my day off for relaxation and enjoyment' kind of person. Those clips are usually the First thing that come off of a bike when I get it. I have a box of them sitting in my spare parts area.
I might see it differently if I was one of the 'century on my day off' kind of people, but as it stands I'm a '30mi on my day off for relaxation and enjoyment' kind of person. Those clips are usually the First thing that come off of a bike when I get it. I have a box of them sitting in my spare parts area.
#46
Rustbelt Rider
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,105
Likes: 390
From: Canton, OH
Bikes: 1990 Trek 1420 - 1978 Raleigh Professional - 1973 Schwinn Collegiate - 1974 Schwinn Suburban
#47
I had a pair of these long ago. They were well liked, then. I wonder why they went out of production. Maybe we should urge V-O to make them.
I didn't find them comfortable. My arch would get bent around the edge. But hmm, maybe my toe clips were just too long back then.
Aaron, I can't believe your feet are as big as mine!
I didn't find them comfortable. My arch would get bent around the edge. But hmm, maybe my toe clips were just too long back then.
Aaron, I can't believe your feet are as big as mine!
#49
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 29
From: Madison, WI
Haha, do you really want them? If so, let me know (Khatfull has dibs on the best pair) and I'll send you what I have. I've got a couple pair of the classic chrome ones with at least one OK pair of Christophe straps, if Khatful wants the nicer pair. Otherwise add one more to that. I think I've got a pair of plastic ones too.
#50
Senior Member



Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 18,840
Likes: 11,743
I also tried the V-O half clips and wasn't crazy about them. This was on a 50+ mile ride back in April on mixed terrain. I figured I'd need to get on and off of the pedals pretty quickly but needed some foot retention. The half clips did allow those two things to happen, but they were no easier to get into and flip the pedals (MKS touring pedals) than regular clips, and I didn't like how uncomfortable they were unless my foot was perfectly centered in the clip. You can just make out the half clip in the lower right and upper left corners of this pic:

Of course, ymmv.
Neal
Of course, ymmv.
Neal




