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Modern day toe-clips?

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Old 04-01-16 | 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
Not too many folks still alive who know what you're talking about.
Maybe, but if you are retro enough to still want toe clips, then you are probably old enough to remember cleats.

Personal note. When I got back into cycling in the 90s, I was averse to clipless, so bought some plastic toe clips. But to my chagrin, found that it sucked riding clips with regular trainers. So I bought some cycling shoes and used them without cleats. A few years later, I considered what I was doing, wearing modern mountain bike shoes with old school toe clips, made the jump to clipless and never looked back.

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Old 04-01-16 | 08:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Carson Dyle
I was actually looking at those today. That's a possibility. It would let me ride seriously with SPD clipless shoes, but also use the bike for more casual trips. I'm guess there are tradeoffs, though. Maybe weight, or being more difficult to get into?

I have these pedals on my hybrid, which is the bike I ride the most. I love the clipless connection, and I like having the option of riding with "regular" shoes, when necessary. I drilled and tapped my pedals for stainless setscrews, for a little extra grip on the "flat" side.

Just to be sure, though: I do not ride seriously.

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Old 04-01-16 | 09:06 AM
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I still keep my favorite ... double layer, stainless Toe clips & their pedals , though I sold off my SiDi Kangaroo road shoes a few years ago..

my Long trip touring bike has Toe clip pedals the shoes then can fit loosely on my feet , on comfy insoles ,

so blood circulation and no nerve constriction, are kept flowing and my feet remain comfortable ..

for weeks on the bike.




A shoe repair shop made a curved slot in the sole that was recessed by the sole . it worked fine .

Another shoe repair shop in another country had no trouble with some Upkeep work ..

The 2 Foot, Get Off and Push gear worked OK.




But To each their own ... posters here love SPD. the shoe has to be snug or you pull your foot out of it

Last edited by fietsbob; 04-01-16 at 10:50 AM.
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Old 04-01-16 | 09:09 AM
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Originally Posted by MRT2
You can buy toe clips, though you might have a hard time buying the old time cleats designed to work with clips.
The good thing about toe clips is you don't absolutely need the cleats.
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Old 04-01-16 | 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by MRT2
Those are fine pedals, but if you actually plan to use the flat side more than occasionally, I would go with these.
Amazon.com : Shimano PD-M324 Clipless/Clip Pedals : Bike Pedals : Sports & Outdoors
I'll agree with that, especially if one rides in the rain a lot, the A530s get as slick as snot on a door knob.
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Old 04-01-16 | 09:39 AM
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Originally Posted by MRT2
You can buy toe clips, though you might have a hard time buying the old time cleats designed to work with clips.
Shouldn't be too hard, e.g.:

Cleats for Bicycle Shoes at Yellow Jersey
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Old 04-01-16 | 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by MRT2
You can buy toe clips, though you might have a hard time buying the old time cleats designed to work with clips.
Cleats are not necessary for the non-racer. Those that have to have cleats and straps cranked down tight have migrated to clipless. Some still have cleats and use them because they love a vintage ride now and then.
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Old 04-01-16 | 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by OldsCOOL
Cleats are not necessary for the non-racer. Those that have to have cleats and straps cranked down tight have migrated to clipless. Some still have cleats and use them because they love a vintage ride now and then.
One of my wife's relatives in Europe has a vintage car with "three on the tree"---the old 3 speed manual steering column shift. No power steering. I love a vintage drive now and then too (although reverse is where first would be on an American version) but I wouldn't want to do my daily commute in it.

I just find that there's a lot of irrational fear out there about clipless, and once people try it, they realize that it's just better than clips and straps---with or without the cleats.
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Old 04-01-16 | 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by mprelaw

I just find that there's a lot of irrational fear out there about clipless, and once people try it, they realize that it's just better than clips and straps---with or without the cleats.
It's a bit more subjective than that. Not all clipless systems are alike, some can be tricky for new users, or where one may need to unclip often and unexpectedly.

Clips have the advantage of allowing one to use regular shoes which is a consideration for those more orientated to utility, and casual cycling.
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Old 04-01-16 | 11:43 AM
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I never could get the hang of releasing from clipless pedals. Went back to toe clips/straps for a while, then to DMR V12 flats. The V12s are way more comfortable than any other option I've tried, and I go almost as fast on them as on clipless, with no time lost due to falls.
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Old 04-01-16 | 04:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Carson Dyle
Any particular platform/flat pedals you'd recommend? I'll need to find a set for the bike I'm getting.
You could mount the toe clips to these:

Amazon.com : MEETLOCKS® Bike Pedals, Light & Strong Magnesium Alloy Body, Cr-Mo CNC Machined 9/16" Screw thread Spindle, Real Three Pcs Ultra DU/Sealed bearings MTB Pedals. : Sports & Outdoors

Original MTB Core Platform Pedals 9/16" Axle (Pedals) - Bike Gear | Giant Bicycles | United States

Original MTB Sport Platform Pedals 9/16" Axle (Pedals) - Bike Gear | Giant Bicycles | United States
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Old 04-01-16 | 04:29 PM
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There are quite a few toeclip specific pedals made in the 1990's or so.

Cage on one side, point on the other side for toeclip attachment.

For example, these Shimano 600 pedals.
Shimano 600 Pedals Vintage Aero Excellent Condition | eBay

I think several companies made similar pedals.

If you want to do both clipless and toeclips, then perhaps these.

Here are the Winwood Instep SPD adapters... pretty rare.
Winwood Pedal Adapters Look SPD Fixie Indoor Cycling | eBay

And Winwood LOOK adapters.
Instep Winwood Technologies Toe Clips Straps for Look Bicycle Pedals | eBay
Winwood Instep Look Pedal Adaptors w Toe Clips Straps | eBay
New Clip and Strap Adaptors for Quick Release Pedal Systems Look Mavic Shimano | eBay

I think I saw similar toeclip setups for other brands of clipless pedals too, although some may just be home built.

You can also get flats that snap onto SPD and clipless pedals.
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Old 04-01-16 | 05:18 PM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by mprelaw
One of my wife's relatives in Europe has a vintage car with "three on the tree"---the old 3 speed manual steering column shift. No power steering. I love a vintage drive now and then too (although reverse is where first would be on an American version) but I wouldn't want to do my daily commute in it.

I just find that there's a lot of irrational fear out there about clipless, and once people try it, they realize that it's just better than clips and straps---with or without the cleats.
Agree with this 100%. Clips and trainers, court shoes, or running shoes just plain sucks, IMO. Might as well stick with flat pedals.
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Old 04-01-16 | 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Carson Dyle
Any particular platform/flat pedals you'd recommend? I'll need to find a set for the bike I'm getting.
Shimano Saint. I use them on my Townie. Shimano 340s with toe clips and straps preferred for road. I don't do clipless, nor cleats, and really don't see them in my future, either.

Last edited by ltxi; 04-01-16 at 05:51 PM.
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Old 04-02-16 | 07:13 AM
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Originally Posted by molten
Wouldn't that leave China; where nearly all bicycle products --- unless Italian or French or German -- are made.
Well, in reality, many of the best components today are made in Taiwan....
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Old 04-02-16 | 03:34 PM
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My knees are averse to the shear motion of twisting, esp in an emergency when I have an adrenaline dump and massive increase in twisting force. I don't race and I've been using loose toeclips since 1979, so I'm happy to stick with them.
You do need to match up shoe and pedal grippyness to be in the Goldilocks zone.
MKS make something like the old Christophe.
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Old 04-02-16 | 10:06 PM
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Since the OP asked about new pedals and toe clips NOT clip-less, I'm a fan of MKS Sylvan touring pedals and toe clips. I wear running shoes and REGULARLY ride 20-30 miles several times a week...
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Old 04-02-16 | 10:13 PM
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little differece..

Originally Posted by Carson Dyle
I was actually looking at those today. That's a possibility. It would let me ride seriously with SPD clipless shoes, but also use the bike for more casual trips. I'm guess there are tradeoffs, though. Maybe weight, or being more difficult to get into?

unless you are one of those who meticulously measure EVERY gram ... campus pedals mean little difference compared to standard pedals.
I like the convenience of one pedal for multiple uses.
I ride my bike to the grocery store.
I ride my bike to work
I ride my bike for longer rides on the weekend where I prefer to clip in.
I have one bike at this point..
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Old 04-03-16 | 05:13 AM
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Modern day toe-clips?

Originally Posted by Carson Dyle
I'm not ready to go clipless on my road bike, but is there a modern day equivalent to the old toe clips that I rode with in the 1980s?

Originally Posted by canklecat
I see ads for lots of strapless half-toe clips. Those look okay. Maybe someone who's ridden with both can chime in….
I’m totally in sync with clipless pedals on my road bike (after about four falls while stopped, in the learning curve). For my beater mountain bike I use these strapless pedals as shown below. I particularly favor them in the winter because they can accommodate a large boot for warmth or to keep dry. Even though I have studded tires, I think these strapless toe clips allow easier escape if the bike was slipping out from under me.



FWIW, my one piece of advice for riding with clipless pedals is if you even just think about stopping, unclip the right foot; it's easy enough to clip back in.

I did have one unique experience with clipless pedals, that fortunately is quite rare among cyclists. I was hit from behind while wearing them.

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
…I do have this memory, not of the immediate impact, and perhaps not even real, of my feet coming out of my clipped-on cycling shoes. Nothing then until vague memories of the hubbub at the scene…

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
I never did inquire if I was found shoeless.


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Old 04-03-16 | 06:12 AM
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Originally Posted by bikepro
The good thing about toe clips is you don't absolutely need the cleats.
Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner, folks!

With toe clips (and straps) you can wear anything you want.

I've ridden in sneakers (nowadays called running shoes ), SPD shoes without the cleats, MTB shoes. If the shoe fits...

And with no cleats I don't have to waddle around like a duck when off the bike.
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Old 04-03-16 | 06:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
Modern day toe-clips?


I’m totally in sync with clipless pedals on my road bike (after about four falls while stopped, in the learning curve). For my beater mountain bike I use these strapless pedals as shown below. I particularly favor them in the winter because they can accommodate a large boot for warmth or to keep dry. Even though I have studded tires, I think these strapless toe clips allow easier escape if the bike was slipping out from under me.

I've settled on those even for my road bike. It is a compromise, you get the benefit of consistent positioning and can instantly move your feet when necessary, but only a light amount of foot retention. My road bike is used year round with destination endpoints, sometimes in conditions where you only see mountain bikes, so it is useful to not be encumbered nor limited in footwear.
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Old 04-03-16 | 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted by jimmuller
Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner, folks!

With toe clips (and straps) you can wear anything you want.

I've ridden in sneakers (nowadays called running shoes ), SPD shoes without the cleats, MTB shoes. If the shoe fits...

And with no cleats I don't have to waddle around like a duck when off the bike.
Yeah, dat....what you said.
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Old 04-03-16 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by MRT2
You can buy toe clips, though you might have a hard time buying the old time cleats designed to work with clips.
I remember seeing some cleats that fit on new road shoes that have the 3 hole pattern, I saw them on the Yellow Jersey, Ltd., Arlington WI USA Everything Cycling Since 1 April, 1971! website.

My first cleated riding shoes were Detto Pietros, but the best set of shoes I had were Sidi's with the nylon cleat. I still have those shoes incase I want to go retro someday.
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Old 04-04-16 | 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted by techsensei
Toe clips are like cathode ray tube televisions; a mature technology that hasn't been updated. A toe clip is still a toe clip. There is an alternative though: Power Grips. But those have been around a long time as well.
I have used Power Grips, I had them for several years on my bike.

I like them a lot, and highly recommend them as a much more user friendly alternative to clips and straps. They are especially good if you prefer not to wear cycling specific shoes.

Plus they are cheaper than going clipless.
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Old 04-04-16 | 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
Not too many folks still alive who know what you're talking about.
okay that's a low blow,,, heehee. I am sure plenty of people know what cleats are. One thing I noticed , me having not ridden in a long time is that when u had the toe clips u can start pedaling lightly from a stop light even if u have not had your cleat push in yet, so in a sense they are better than clipless where u have to make sure u click in before u pedal with both feet if u have not clicked in yet u have to pump a few times with one leg. Another thing is the toe clips holds the top of your foot as u pull up on pedal, the clipless depends completely on the top of the shoe if u pull up on the pedal,,, so not to sure about the whole clipless craze...
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