Skyshroud

Hey all,

I was hoping for some guidance concerning pedal options - namely the pros/cons of period Toe-Clips and modern Clip-in Pedals.

I am currently running an early 1980's Bottecchia road bike - which I intend to use as a daily rider to and from work, but also some long distance runs as well. I am currently debating between picking up a pair of period Toe-Clips and modern Clip-ins. I am leaning towards the period Toe-Clips for both an increase in my peddling efficiency as well as keeping the vintage aesthetic of my current steed. However, I do not have any experience with either option - I have always used flat pedals. The only concern that I have with modern clip-ins are the 'warnings' that as soon as I move to modern Clip-ins, I will never go back to flat pedals.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

cyclotoine

clips and straps also require a proper vintage road shoe with a slotted clear which is probably more difficult to walk in than a modern road show and cleat. Shoes compatible with slotted cleats are far fewer. many will chime in to tell you, that they happily ride clips and straps without the clear, but if you want the increased efficiency you must use the cleat. The clear is what allows you to push across the top and pull along the bottom, smoothing the pedal stroke. There is no pulling up per se.

If you are somewhere where is might rain then clips and staps will also limit your footware. Vintage looks great but it does not have the advantages of shoe and bootie selection, plus you can go with SPD/MTB style shoes and cleats and have a much more walkable shoe.

rootboy 

Nothing to add to cyclotoine's concise summation, other than a pic. Toe clips and straps just suite vintage bikes aesthetically, practical considerations aside.


And you can get some "semi-regular" shoes that work with clips.

toytech

for looks, toe clips. If you are going to ride it a lot clipless. I have crashed in both and I will not go back to straps.
Spd's on everything for me.

eschlwc

i wear a slipper-like sneaker with my clips/straps, the onitsuka tiger mexico 66. there are a few vintage pedals that hurt through the soft sole on rides longer than 10 miles, but most work. by now, i've gathered enough knowledge of the vintage japanese designs to know what works best -- '80s kkt's and modern platforms. i love the comfort, design and walking flexibility of this setup.

wahoonc

I rode clipless pedals for a few years, having to purchase special shoes and then have to add pedals to every bike.... got old.

I use toe clips, half clips and platform pedals now. I can wear any shoe on any bike at any time. I do have some shoes that are better for longer rides than others. Stiff soles are what I look for.

I don't doubt there is some increase in efficiency using clipless pedals, but how many of us REALLY ride at those intensity levels? Most riders I see would do better to lose a few pounds around the middle or improve their overall posture on the bike for greater efficiency gains that a set of clipless pedals and shoes will every provide.

Aaron

cb400bill

If you want a vintage look, but the usability of clipless:

Buy these shoes:

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_556202_-1___



And these pedals.

https://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/st...ssociationsCmd

cehowardGS

Looks Great! I agree 100% too..

I commute on my bikes, with that said, I favor the toe-clips over clipless for commuting. Just my opinion.

My vintage Grand Prix sporting toe clips..

rootboy 

Yes. And they have the added benefit of "fiberglass-reinforced nylon souls"

I could use some of that.

busdriver1959

If you want to use toe clips and straps, look at the cleats with the Look bolt pattern at Yellow Jersey's website. That will allow a few more modern shoe options. Stay away from velcro straps across the top of the shoe though.

due ruote 

I've mostly gone over to clipless. If you go that route you'll probably be happiest with spd and commuter type shoes with a recessed cleat. Otherwise, if you're willing to go with road pedals, older model Look Delta cleat-compatible pedals (Look, Mavic, Shimano, etc.) are generally a great bargain on Ebay and seem to last forever. I don't think I've ever paid over $20 for a pair and the bearings have been consistently buttery. New off-brand cleats can be had for around $10-$12.

Shp4man

I use SPD's on the old bikes I ride the most. A cheap set of pedals from Nashbar is only about $40. The efficiency is worth it and you can walk in mountain shoes. My $.02.

AZORCH

Although I've got a couple of bikes with clipless pedals, I happen to like toe clips and straps, and a shoe with slotted cleats. Two words of warning: my cleated shoes are slicker than snot on wood floors; also make sure you get clips that fit your foot length - it's pretty miserable riding with short toe clips and long feet!

KS_rider

Those are a couple of classy looking suggestions that I might consider for an upcoming build I am contemplating. Thanks for suggesting them as I'd never have even thought about them.

sced

Clips and cleats might kill your knees - no float. IMO clipless pedals are the single greatest advance in bike equipment in the last 40 years.

flyfisherbob

My two cents - I ride toe clips and cleated shoes on my 86 Centurion, and clipless pedals on my Domane. I have never had a problem getting out of the pedals on the Centurion, but am a member in good standing of club tombay. Still, I like, and will continue to ride both the way they are, at least until I can't replace the cleated shoes.

BlueDevil63 

Have to agree with this. Vintage style cleats have no float and that really used to kill my knees.

The Yellow Jersey Look compatible cleats may work with modern shoes but I found that a lot of modern road shoes have soles that are too thick to fit in vintage toe clips.

nordestino

I've returned to toe clips and vintage cleated shoes - my clipless stuff is now collecting dust. Take care on aligning the cleats to avoid knee problems. And I find the old style shoes more comfortable and a lot cooler in hot weather.

DiegoFrogs

A number of years ago I tried the clipless SPD pedals for a bit and had trouble kicking my heels out because of a hip problem that I had as a child that was corrected quite barbarically. I went back to the running shoes and MKS GR-9's that I had been using before to great relief.

This year I put the SPDs back on a bike and got my Shimano sandals back out. This year, for some reason, they don't bother me nearly as much and I'm enjoying them quite well.

I'll still keep the GR-9 pedals for times I'd like to wear running shoes.

rootboy 

FWIW, I managed to add a bit of "float" to my conventional cleats. I widened the slot a bit with a file. I also lowered their depth to make getting out a tad easier. That and leaving my straps a bit loose has allowed me to continue using them. And to continue using my beloved Record pedals.

bradtx

Skyshroud, I'm one who switched to clipless after my friends and frankly I should have changed earlier. The freedom from loosening straps and having a little bit of float is addicting. It really all depends on which system YOU prefer.

Brad

Pars 

I switched to clipless for the most part a couple of years ago, using Eggbeaters and mtn. bike shoes (Diadoras and Sidis). I used to ride Campy pedals with clips/straps, both in Diadora shoes with the cleat, and mostly in the last 20 years, Avocet touring shoes that have ridges on the soles. I spent enough time walking in the cleated shoes, thank you. The Avocets hold you in just fine, and I usually don't tighten the toe straps down fully anyhow, at least on my right foot (one I usually put down).

Lack of float never bothered me. Like we did in the days of nailed on cleats, if you do go clips and straps and decide you want to try cleated shoes with them, ride them a bit without the cleats to see where your foot wants to spend most of its time and adjust the cleats to match once you install them. The pedal will hopefully leave a bit of a line to go by.

Kactus

You can go to the multi release SH-56 cleats for SPD's. I use them as my left ankle (the one I usually release) turns inward better than outward so I can release either way if I choose.

Alan Edwards

I have speedplay, look, spd, spdr, and clips. Clips are only for short rides, long rides I need float. Flat platform pedals with clips and straps for tennis shoes on fixed gear.

kaydub

On my Ironman, I run a set of Time Equipe clipless pedals... and a pair of Van's slipons*.

I guess I'm lucky in that the bike is new enough for clipless pedals to be considered more or less period correct, and the pedals are old enough to retain a somewhat vintage aesthetic (and they match the color scheme to boot).

*I do have a pair of awesomely 90's Nike Access shoes with the 3-bolt to 4-bolt cleat adapters, but they're quite uncomfortable and awkward when I'm not actually on the bike so I don't really like to wear them. I'll wear 'em on a serious ride, but most of the time I'm more than fine with my less efficient sneakers. I'm simply too cheap to shop around for a more convenient pair of period-correct pedals or shoes.