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Question for Those Riding with Toe Cages

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Old 09-21-08 | 07:27 PM
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Question for Those Riding with Toe Cages

I'm currently riding with clipless pedals. I'm wondering how hard it is to put your toes into the cage while the bike is starting to move, especially since the crank is constantly spinning. Is there any trick?

Thanks for any insight.
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Old 09-21-08 | 07:37 PM
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the trick is to "flip up" the cage. It takes awhile to get down, especially while moving fast. That's why most pedals have tabs on the one edge.

Once you get that down, try adjusting the straps while moving. That's always a toughie!
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Old 09-21-08 | 07:38 PM
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What he said. Wsa little tough at the beginning, but you get used to it and then it's easier even if they are moving fast.
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Old 09-21-08 | 07:40 PM
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I wouldn't worry about it at all. After about two days of riding with cages, it'll become second nature. Also, if you get good at trackstanding you'll rarely have to take your feet out of the cages.
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Old 09-21-08 | 10:04 PM
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I recently started riding with toe clips and it only took about two days to get it down (although it is a little difficult at speed) and my trackstanding has improved as well, people laugh at my bike though because I am running BMX platforms on it with clips (only decent pedals LBS had in 1/2"-yes I am running 1 piece cranks.) Adjusting the straps while rolling is a lot tougher to do though, I've got mine set so that they are tight but I am able to get out without loosening them so I don't really mess with them now.
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Old 09-21-08 | 11:23 PM
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I love my "cage" it,s pretty easy to use. When you start put one foot in pedal and as you do that use you other foot(at the ball roughly) to flip the pedal and you slide right in. You will get it down in about a day or 2
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Old 09-21-08 | 11:25 PM
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I gave clipless a try and did not like it (except on my mtb) and have gone back to using clips and straps which I have always loved.

After a little while it becomes automatic and you don't even think about it.
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Old 09-21-08 | 11:44 PM
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Thanks for the replies! Question: Can you guys slip in while standing and pedaling, like starting off across an intersection when the light turns green? I'm able to easily do this with clipless pedals and want to be sure this can be preserved when switching to toe clips.

Thanks again!
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Old 09-21-08 | 11:54 PM
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oh yeah, a lot easier IMO. I have cages on the MTB and clip in on my road. It's a lot easier for me to get in to my MTB
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Old 09-22-08 | 12:11 AM
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it's just two steps; scooping the pedal over and sliding your foot forward into the cage. after a couple days, you'll start to treat it as one fluid motion and eventually have no problem doing it at decent speeds. - i used to have a phobia of riding with foot retention. i started riding fixed, very partially, to get over that fear.
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Old 09-22-08 | 12:33 AM
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Originally Posted by funrover
I have cages on the MTB
Yeah. I have never seen anyone ever out on the trails with toeclips. This seems extremely dangerous to me. Either Clip-less or big ass platforms is pretty much all I see. I did have a friend with POWER GRIPS on his pedals. One root snag and a nasty crash and those bad boys were in the garbage.
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Old 09-22-08 | 09:00 AM
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I like my clips, I really don't see how it's that much more dangerous than clipless on a MTB, If you adjust them right you can get out of them without any drama, not as efficient as clipless, but if you already have them or are on a budget then they work good enough.
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Old 09-22-08 | 09:05 AM
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Originally Posted by powerband
Thanks for the replies! Question: Can you guys slip in while standing and pedaling, like starting off across an intersection when the light turns green? I'm able to easily do this with clipless pedals and want to be sure this can be preserved when switching to toe clips.

Thanks again!
Seriously... it's no harder than clipping in once you get it.

I also find that my feet are a lot happier with my old pedals and clips and I can wear any shoes I want.
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Old 09-22-08 | 09:26 AM
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I started riding clips about a month ago. It's definitely easier in some shoes over others too. I use a pair of reebok driving shoes that are very narrow and tight and I can get in the clips with ease (in motion, and standing up after starting at a light). With some of my bigger shoes it can take a couple strokes before I get it.
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Old 09-22-08 | 09:36 AM
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still trying to get a hang of it, fell off the bike a few times while trying to get them loose to get off the bike.
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Old 09-22-08 | 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted by mcclary
With some of my bigger shoes it can take a couple strokes before I get it.

Thats what she said...
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Old 09-22-08 | 09:43 AM
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if one foot is already in the cages just ride the bottom of the other one until you can sit down and slip in. It's really not that hard to flip the pedal around, i used to do it on pedals without the little tab on them

and yeah find good tension for them that allows you to get your foot out without having to loosen them
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Old 09-22-08 | 09:59 AM
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Also good fitting shoes helps a bunch, I recently bought some Giro ollie g's at a going out of business sale at shoe pavillion for $15. They are comfortable and fit in my clips well, the regular athletic shoes i rode before are kind of difficult to get in.
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Old 09-22-08 | 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by SaveTheRock
Yeah. I have never seen anyone ever out on the trails with toeclips. This seems extremely dangerous to me. Either Clip-less or big ass platforms is pretty much all I see. I did have a friend with POWER GRIPS on his pedals. One root snag and a nasty crash and those bad boys were in the garbage.
Power Grips are good for urban riding, but are a little harder to get your feet out of quickly than straps & cages.
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Old 09-22-08 | 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Gurgus
Thats what she said...
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Old 09-22-08 | 11:10 AM
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i dont find it difficult at all to get in and out of my toe clips.
just takes a little time getting used to using the triangle on the back of the pedal to flip it upright but after you get it down its simple
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Old 09-22-08 | 11:13 AM
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Pedals with flip tabs help...
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Old 09-22-08 | 11:45 AM
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so easy with gr-9s +1

with practice you wont have to get in and out of the cages much
 
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Old 09-22-08 | 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by SaveTheRock
Yeah. I have never seen anyone ever out on the trails with toeclips. This seems extremely dangerous to me.
Really? Never? You must have missed the 90's.

bf
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Old 09-22-08 | 01:15 PM
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i remember mountain biking with my dad one time and he was climbing a steep section and just as he was slowly creeping to the top he just sort of fell over stuck in the toe clips...it was hilarious

but yeah, i always had clips on my mountain bike
 
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