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?

somebody still makes them .. My LBS has some .. modern day equivalent is more of the same , but made where it's cheaper .

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.

here you go https://www.amazon.com/gp/product//B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I use these ez in and out the come in 2 sizes

here's more https://www.google.com/#q=zefal+toe+clips

or this
https://www.google.com/#q=+toe+clips

I have clips on my 70s road bike because it's appropriate for the time period, they were purchased new at a LBS. Except for being new, they're identical to the ones from then.

FWIW, Shimano has a series of clipless pedals called click-r that release in all directions, and the release tension can be set so light they're virtually fool proof.

You can buy toe clips, though you might have a hard time buying the old time cleats designed to work with clips.

You'll lhave to explain that to the youngsters.

I never used cleated shoes - there were a variety of more 'casual' cycling shoes available that didn't accommodate clips but worked pretty well. I had at least two pairs of Bata Bikers.

tons of options, check the fixie forum if you want velcro straps, or check ebay if you want plastic traditional style cages. honestly, clipless is ******, and not expensive to get into. I promise you'll like it, and if you ride more than 20 miles at a time you'll be glad you have it.

Wouldn't that leave China; where nearly all bicycle products --- unless Italian or French or German -- are made.

Yeah, I remember riding in running shoes with lugged soles (Nike Waffle Stompers? ) and it being less than ideal for getting in and out of the pedals.

Thanks for the ideas guys.

My first pair of cycling shoes did not even have built-in cleat mounts; I had to nail the cleats to the sole.

Yeah, without cleated hard soled cycling shoes like Detto Pietros (another thing I regret selling), old style toe clips can be a PITA with some regular shoes. They're better with fairly rigid soled casual walking shoes with little texture on the soles; not so great with running, walking or hiking shoes with pronounced tread patterns on the soles.

I see ads for lots of strapless half-toe clips. Those look okay. Maybe someone who's ridden with both can chime in.

I keep thinking about trying Power Grips on my platform pedals but after about 7 months back in the saddle my pedaling rhythm has smoothed enough that I don't feel like I'd get much use from 'em. And I'd rather not think about having to toe-flip the pedal around at traffic lights. I suppose you get used to it again though.

Any particular platform/flat pedals you'd recommend? I'll need to find a set for the bike I'm getting.

Are you familiar with so-called campus pedals? One side is a regular pedal, and the other side is an SPD-compatible clipless pedal. They're quite popular.

I've got a pair, but never heard them called campus pedals.

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?

Google Exustar track cleats. They make two versions. You want the cheap (~$20) ones. They are excellent cleats, better than any back in the day and made for modern LOOK compatible shoes. (The good cleats have a locking interface with Shimano 600 semi-platform pedals. Top notch ofr track sprinters but having no place for those of us on the road.)

Ben

I have a set of those A530's; I like 'em.

Not really more difficult to get into, Carson, but it's a bit of a guess which side is going to be up. Mine are a different model, and I added a small piece of steel angle to the front of the right side pedal. It doesn't keep the clipless side horizontal, but it's always in the same position. Your foot will quickly learn how to approach the pedal. The job wouldn't be practical with the slick looking pedal you posted.

As far as toeclips, I thought the metal ones tore up my shoes worse than plastic ones, so I converted to plastic before I finally went clipless.

But, I'm very happy with the clipless now.

Look at the Rivendell site, Lugged Steel Bicycles, Wool Clothing, Leather Saddles & Canvas Bike Bags from Rivendell Bicycle Works . They have a pedal called Grip King and another called the Tin Gripster. Elswhere on the site is an article entitled "The Shoes Ruse".

Those are fine pedals, but if you actually plan to use the flat side more than occasionally, I would go with these.
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-M32.../dp/B00AZ2OID8

This place has cleats for clips. Yellow Jersey, Ltd., Arlington WI USA Everything Cycling Since 1 April, 1971!

The Shimano T780 pedals are really nice, are XT level, click-r series, and I find its a little easier to get on the desired side than the M324.

Shimano XT T780 SPD Trekking Clipless MTB Pedals | Chain Reaction Cycles

Not too many folks still alive who know what you're talking about.