tomana

today I used some plastic toe clips with straps. Really liked the improvement but did not like trying to get my foot past the strap and into the clip - definitely not for me. Though I have a mountain bike (1990 Cannondale 3.0 and I strictly ride streets) I was thinking about shoe clips. I have no experience with shoes and shoe clips but I read there are at least three different types of clips. Haven't read much more than that yet.

Based on your experiences, what clips/shoes do you recommend (older models because I usually buy used). Feel free to reply with anything you feel will be helpful such as advantages, drawbacks, etc. Thanks ...

fietsbob

One thing, I have done which is way off the mainstream is using toe clips and straps,
to use loose fitting shoes.
with their recessed resole cleats.. sorted at the shoe repair..

smooth shoe sole lets the flip and insert the toe work well ..

I have some recessed cleat SPD shoes they have to fit snugger , or you may, pull your feet out of your shoes.
in trying to unclip .. perhaps..

Mostly I use platform pedals and street shoes.. around town is most of my biking .

cplager

You can use half-clips or even full clips and just no straps. This won't let you pull up on the pedal, but also will make sure your foot doesn't slide forward off of the pedal.

I use SPD pedals and cleats which are "designed" for mountain bikes on my road bikes. The cleats are (mostly) recessed in the shoes so you can walk. In the summer, I use them with Nashbar sandals; when it's cold I just use mountain bike shoes.

My pedals are dual-sided (SPD on one side, platform on another) so I can ride without special shoes if I want to, but I only do when I'm riding my bike in my driveway tuning it up.

MichaelW

To use toe clips safely:
Pick a shoe with a sole that is not too knobbly and has a clean upper, no mouldings.
Pick a toe clip the correct size.
Use a stiff (leather) strap.
Put a twist into the strap, inside the pedal cage.
Leave the straps loose, dont cinch them tight.

Practice the pedal flip to get your feet in. If you miss, just pedal on the other side and try again.
To remove your feet, slide back, not sideways.
Once you get this, toe clips are hassle free way of increasing efficiency (short of racing style) and preventing sudden slip off the pedals.

handensco

Not to hijack but, I used to have a Stump Jumper and an old Sekai that both got stolen about 5 years ago. I am now building up my 5 YO Gunnar Sport Frame. I have some really stiff (I love them) NW MtB shoes? I am looking at the XTR M980 for my Gunnar. I will also purchase a Mountain Bike next spring. I used SPD pedals on my old Sekai but did not know any difference. Are the XTR's ok for road use? The are fairly light and the shoes are stiff for a mountain bike shoe.
Thanks
handensco
david

FrenchFit 

I run with about everything across my stable of bikes, from clipless to minis to straps and cages. To me, the most user friendly and utilitarian of the group are the Powergrips, with the one caveat that if you wear different profiled shoes from one ride to another they require adjusting - which is a PITA. Second best are mini toe clips, just not much positive connection to the pedals. I like fixie straps on a couple bikes, but they get hot on long rides and slipping in is not as fast a Powergrips, though they are easier to adjust. Cages and straps wreck your shoes and toes. Clipless are ...clipless, some advantages but you have to live with the whole clipless pedal and shoe thing - if you ride fast they are basic equipment, and I ride Shimano SPD with minimal VP pedals because I also take those shoes to spin class..

Powergrips, they come up used on eBay from time to time and you can buy the straps separately and mount them to platforms if you're handy:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...MMCYE8H9KZBEH8

Wilfred Laurier

lets clarify some terms here

toe clips are the cages that attach to the front of the pedals
into which your feet go

most toe clips are used with straps that can adjust
to tighten or loosen the fit of the toe clips on your feet

some toe clips are designed to be used without straps

toe clips are usually used with redular shoes
but in earlier times there were pedals and toe clips
designed to be used with cycling shoes with cleats on the bottom
mainly used for racing

the other style of foot attachment
are called clipless pedals
because they attach your feet without the use of toe clips
these are also sometimes called clip-in pedals
these are always used with cycling shoes that accept
a cleat on the bottom

of clipless or clip-in style pedals
there are two main types

road pedals
which use a large cleat and a rigid soled shoe
that is very difficult to walk with

and mountin bike or touring pedals
that usually use a smaller cleat
that is recessed inside a more normal treaded sole
these shoes are designed to be easier to walk with

Nightshade

Since you ride city streets ,and not a race track or the dirt, what the heck do you need pedal clips for??

Life is simple riding now so why screw it up with pedal clips???

tomana

Best reply ... thanks {8^D

Thanks for all the replies. Was considering the Power Grips but saw this last reply and it rang true.

cplager

I find riding clipped in is much more comfortable than not (I ride a recumbent which makes it a more obvious choice, but there are a lot of DF riders who feel the same way). In my case, I have a lot more control of the bike because I'm clipped in (and, again, many DF riders feel the same way).

Before clipping in, I almost always used toe clips (the only exception is my folding bike). Having my feet loose on the pedals feels like an accident waiting to happen.*

As far as what the OP should do, it depends on what he wants. As I pointed out, I'd recommend at least half clips, but there are a lot of choices and whatever works for him is fine with me.

* On smooth pedals, it's easy to slip off of them (which can be disastrous, particularly when standing but I've seen people fall because of this while sitting on the seat). Even with pinned or "grippy" pedals, it's easy enough to have your foot slip off of your pedal and have your calf run down the spikes that were designed to keep your foot on the pedal; I've seen plenty of people who've hurt themselves doing that.

Homebrew01

Mountain bikes shoes and cleats might be a good choice if you want the ability to be able to walk a bit in them because the cleat is recessed. Most "road" shoes have a thick cleat attached to the bottom of the shoe, making it tricky to walk more than a few feet without slipping or damaging the cleat.

sreten

Hi,

I use toe clips on my road bike and plain pedals on my folder.
No problems with either. With straps your toe should not touch
the front of the clip, so no toe issues, and the straps should
not be tight, just tight enough to help a lot but not hinder.

Getting your foot in and out of straps/clips is just practice.

In the city any sort of clipping system is a complete pain.
I've never had any sort of problem with plain pedals
using reasonable pedals and decent footwear.

Straps and clips don't belong on a MTB IMO.


rgds, sreten.

JanMM

+1

Wilfred Laurier

imho
toe clips and straps are a nusance
and a hazard
if you ever need to put a foot down
like city riding

clipless pedals
however
have instantaneous and predicable release
with some practice
and are fine on any bike

if anyone thinks that
because they tried toe clips
and found them unpleasant
that clipless are also bad
well
ive got a news flash for you walter cronkite
they arent