Modern day toe-clips?
#26
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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.
Last edited by MRT2; 04-01-16 at 09:03 AM.
#27
Don't make me sing!
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Bikes: 2013 Specialized Crosstrail Elite, 1986 Centurion Elite RS, Diamondback hardtail MTB, '70s Fuji Special Road Racer, 2012 Raleigh Revenio 2.0, 1992 Trek 1000
Just to be sure, though: I do not ride seriously.
Last edited by kevindsingleton; 04-01-16 at 08:59 AM.
#28
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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
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.
#29
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#30
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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
Amazon.com : Shimano PD-M324 Clipless/Clip Pedals : Bike Pedals : Sports & Outdoors
#31
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#32
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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.
#33

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.
#34
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From: Kent Wa.
Bikes: 2005 Gazelle Golfo, 1935 Raleigh Sport, 1970 Robin Hood sport, 1974 Schwinn Continental, 1984 Ross MTB/porteur, 2013 Flying Piegon path racer, 2014 Gazelle Toer Populair T8
Clips have the advantage of allowing one to use regular shoes which is a consideration for those more orientated to utility, and casual cycling.
#35
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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.
#36
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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
#37
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.
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.
#38
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From: Wisconsin
Bikes: 2012 Salsa Casseroll, 2009 Kona Blast
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.

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.
#39
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From: Colorado
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.
#40
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#41
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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.
You do need to match up shoe and pedal grippyness to be in the Goldilocks zone.
MKS make something like the old Christophe.
#43
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From: Portland OR
Bikes: e-bike and a steel framed roadie
little differece..
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..
#44
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.

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.
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.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 04-03-16 at 06:15 AM.
#45
What??? Only 2 wheels?


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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.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#46
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’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.
#47
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From: Colorado
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.
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.
#48
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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.
#49
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From: The Black Lodge
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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.
#50
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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...








