GeorgiaBlue

Ugh - just back from my second ride on my Trek 7200 - and it's obvious I need toe clips - I don't want to go clipless as I am training for a triathlon and want to wear my running shoes.

So can anybody recommend which or what or where on toe clips? Ya'll have been great so far - thanks.

catatonic

I use half clips myself...they are like toe clips, but without the strap and are shorter. They allow you to use regular street shoes on the bike. Regular clips are better for allowing you to get upward power...half clips will only unlatch you if you try to lift on them. To me, that was why I bought them...i just wnated something that gave some some efficiency, but ensures I would not get gouged in teh calf by my pedals again.

As far as buying some, jsut get what you like. You can get half clips starting at $6 and regular clips starting at about $9 form your LBS.

froze

I use full clips; their Cinilli aluminum clips and leather/nylon straps. I also sometimes ride with my tennis shoes on so I can take a quick spin with the kids and they open plenty wide enough to do that. My shoes have cleats with a groove that clip onto the pedal cage rib and then all I have to do is pull the strap to tighten. With this set up I can pull the pedal without worrying about my foot coming out, and I don't have to over tighten it so as not to cut off the blood flow to the feet.

gruppo

Have your lbs get you a set of "Power Grip" straps & pedals. It's a quality product and is the very best alternative to clipless pedals. Good luck!

N_C

What is wrong with using clipless, even in a triathlon? Tri-athletes use clipless on their bike, then when they get to the end of the bike portion of the race they often leave their shoes still attached to the peddles when they are making the switch to the run, they put their running shoes on & they're off on the running portion of the race. Or the dismount the bike grab their running shoes to the changing area, shed the cycling shoes, put the running shoes on & off they go. If you've watched the Ironman, you have probably seen this.

Clipless shoes & peddles will give you a better advantage then your opponents. Because you will get more energy & power while peddling the bike. Not only that if you wear your running shoes during the riding portion of the race you run the risk of damaging them so they will not be effective & do what they are supposed to do to help you perform in the running portion. I'm sure a lot of your opponents will be using cycling shoes during the bike portion. So why give them an advantage over you? Why not level the playing field a little more for yourself?

I'd recommend using clipless shoes & pedals for the bike portion of the race & running shoes for the running section. Stick with the shoes that are best suited for the specific leg of the race. You wouldn't want to do the running section in cycling shoes, so why do the cycling section in running shoes?

GeorgiaBlue

Nothing wrong with that, but I am riding a hybrid right now. I hope to get a road bike next year, and then go clipless. I'm new to cycling and the wife and I both bought hybrids to ride together - she will probably never be interested in speed or long rides (3-6 miles max) - so I want to keep my hybrid for recreational use.

As far as me competing in a triathlon, my only goal is to finish - not truly compete. If I cross that finish line without drowning and without collapsing, I will have won.

N_C

You might want to check on whether or not a certain type of bike is accepted in the triathlon. They may require road bikes or even a TT type bike or a combination of the 2. Hybred's might not be allowed, which I may be wrong about. Maybe the worst that will happen is you may be laughed at & come in dead last, I don't know. And like you said all you want to do is finish, not compete. BTW I recommend clipless, even on a hybred bike.

What kind of hybred do you & your wife ride?

It is great that you are new to cycling & getting into it, the more people we have taking it up as a sport, no matter what they're fitness level is great. But do not "bite off more then you can chew". If you are going to do a triathlon, wonderful. But do it right, especially the first time around. The reason is you may get discouraged & give it all up. So take your time, use the proper equipment & train right for it.

MichaelW

I like Christophe steel toe clips with their leather straps. They are very tough and springy, and the straps stay open.
I use them with MKS touring pedals , and they make a good combination.
I dont cinch them tight, mainly for safety. Its hard to get out of tight toe-clips, but with lose ones, you just take your feet out, no twisting or anything.
Be careful with your choice of shoe. The best for toe-clips have a slick profile and no knobbles.
If you are using a hybrid for the tri, then fit the narowest tyres you can, probably a 28mm. Std hybrid tyres are not good for fast riding.

Fugazi Dave

I've got a pair of HTI A29 pedals that are made specifically for clips and straps - can't really use them without 'em. They're well made and nice to use. Can't find any info on them online, though, so I'm not sure if/where they're still available.

GeorgiaBlue

Hey N C - you are borderline condescending to me as a newbie, (but then again- even I know it's 'hybrid' not 'hybred').

People tri in all different kind of bikes - yes the majority are on road bikes and some better people use tri bikes, but I have seen a guy on an old 20" BMX bike (popping wheelies). I doubt people will laugh at me - and I'll bet I get encouragement from strangers when I do finish last - but at least I'll finish.

Just because you watched the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii on television makes you no expert on triathlons.

hollow

Well I am an expert. Just kidding. You're correct, Georgia, there are all kinds of people who do triathlons. You see quite a few people on mountain bikes although not as many hybreads (sic). At the last one I did there were even some guys on unicycles. I've never seen anyone at a triathlon laugh at anyone else for their attire or equipment. They are usually into their own thing and usually respect everyone who is out there.

I've done triathlons for about 5 years. I don't do many triathlons anymore because I found that I enjoyed cycling much more than swimming or running. I think you have the right attitude. Sorry I can't help you much on the toe clips as I only have used clipless. When you get a road bike I do recommend that you go clipless. N C is right about that.