marmot

Fullcount, you'd be foolish to replace your platform/clipless combo pedals with cage-and-strap (dangerous and inconvenient) or strapless half-cages (more trouble than they're worth). You have the best setup right now. Use 'em on the platform side with some good firm-soled walking shoes or skate shoes, and keep an eye out for a deal on SPD mountain-bike shoes. I found Pearl Izumi X-Alps in a clearance bin for $28, and they are great: efficient and comfortable on the bike, walkable and comfy off the bike, and quite hard-wearing.
Another alternative would be pinned BMX platforms with stiff skate shoes, but I would stick with what you have.

fietsbob

After using them for 40+ years I'm wearing Looser fitting shoes with toeclips *,
and so on month plus long bike tours my feet are more comfortable..

Now, commuting/utility.. , Im just using wide, platform pedals, and dont even bother with the Toe Clips..


but as a gear shopper I have several pairs of Spud type shoes, tighter fitting..

, and a couple pairs of Pedals ..

think I'll sell them..

TiBikeGuy

Zefal makes a hard plastic toe clips that does not need the toe strap. Easy to get in and out. It prevents your foot from slipping off the platform pedals.

marmot

To each his own, I guess. I had these things for about two weeks, didn't find them very helpful and got annoyed with them flipping upside down every time I took a foot off a pedal. I think they're hanging on a nail in the back of my garage now, if anyone wants them. I will say this for them, though: They were cheap (about 5 bucks, IIRC).

calyth

Go for clipless, practice with it, and expect that you'll fall the first couple of times using it. You'll get used to it quickly though

Fullcount

You betcha Marmot....this is the route I am going. I guess I got lucky with the pedals already set up like this. That is the reason I like this forum, you get a good flavor of the options and then the option to pick your medicine. Thanks for the help.

BikeOnly

Very interesting thread. I have been using toe clips since 1973 and would not care if clipless had ever been invented.

But ..., now that they have, I am buying clipless pedals and corresponding shoes when I buy my new road bike. (Is this not further proof that our economy is supply-side?)

On my typical ride from my house, I ride north a couple of miles through town and continue on to reach the country roads. I very much want to have the capability to ride not-clipped-in in traffic through town and be able to accelerate quickly from stopped at traffic lights. On my way back I often make a few stops in town for coffee, snacks or whatever and want to be riding not-clipped-in again.

I also want to be able to jump on the bike with my tennis shoes and take short rides in the neighborhood when I get invites for beer at friends' houses.

One thing in the discussion that is not clear to me, can I do this clipless riding with any SPD pedal such as https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...41_-1___000000 ?

Or do I need a true two-sided SPD pedal such as https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...551_1103839_-1 ?

If you recommend a pedal, I am interested to know which direction gravity causes the SPD side to face naturally when your foot is not on the pedal.

Thanks.

MRT2

Good thing you asked. Those two pedals are different. SPD is NOT the same as SPD SL. SPD uses a 2 bolt cleat, the SL uses a 3 bolt.

acantor

I don't know whether clipless makes a significant difference for touring and commuting, but I have been using them for ten years, and like them. Admittedly, they are inconvenient, as shoes with cleats are not comfortable for walking, even if the cleats are recessed, which means hauling a pair of shoes and/or sandals when I tour.

I fell two or three times while learning to use clipless pedals, but haven't for years. Re: emergency stops when using clipless pedals: "Don't panic. Unclip!"

Six jours

Clips and straps are not dangerous. Or maybe they are, in the sense that anything on your bike that you don't know how to use is dangerous.

koolerb

So I took my bike with toe clips for a few trips to the store this weekend after riding clip-less for the last month and I kept pulling my feet out of the cages. I guess my pedal technique changed without my even realizing it.

AAZ

I have the exact platform/clipless pedals you are talking about. They work well.
I also have toe clips. They also work well.

My current favorite? Neither: DMR V8 platform

Leebo

I like my flat pedals and keen newport sandals. YRMV, this is what works for me. I'm not racing, I'm on vacation when touring. That said, I do find clipless helpful on my mt bike.

Outback Cayucan

Pleased w/ Power Grips so far (total < 100 mi. ~ 15-20 mi. rides). Switched from Look after falling when starting off on a slight incline. My Nishiki International (1980) had toe clips & straps. They were fine w/ my Bata Biker shoes which again serve nicely w/ PG.

irwin7638

Boy, I guess I don't think enough. People are bringing up stuff that never occurred to me while touring.
I used clipless pedals on my road bike for several years and the shimano clipless/platforms on my touring bike. I got tired of the hotfoot on my road bike so, when one pedal broke, I went back to platforms and straps and was a lot more comfortable. The pedals on my touring bike proved to be semi-useless after a while for the same reason. I would get the same uncomfortable hotfoot after a few hours flipped them over to the platforms and rode them most of the time on the platforms. I finally retired those and went to VP components Thin Gripster Pedals. Those made me a happy camper. The rivets on the pedal grip the soles of my shoe so well that I can actually pull the crank up without either cleats or straps. Plenty of comfort gets me farther down the road than a little more efficiency every time.

Marc

BikeOnly

See: https://davebyers.blogspot.com/2009/05/hot-foot.html

dorkypants

I have not witnessed any experienced users have "clipless moments", only newbies, and always because they either completely forgot their feet were attached to their pedals, or they panicked—which is what prevented them from unclicking even though they would've had plenty of time had they not freaked out.

fietsbob

I found the blood circulation was improved when my shoes were not tight.. and a toe clip

plus the recessed slot cleat in, across, the shoe sole makes the shoe not slip,

though the whole sole is fairly smooth , to slide in the Toe clip pedal combination easily ..


SPuD type shoes have to be somewhat tight , or you may pull your foot out of the shoe,
with the cleat still engaged.

You Choose ..

shipwreck

Sometimes when getting ready for a tour I actually flip a coin as to which pedal style I will use. If I know for sure that I want to do high output days with 80+ miles over varied terrain I automatically go to... either.

Not really helpful, I know, but there it is

pavemen

I know this is a fairly old thread (hey, it wasn't bumped by me!)

Endurance road bike with SPD cleats (4 degree movement) on MTB shoes. Tolerable for walking around, fairly stiff for riding. Pedals can be easily adjusted to make stepping out easier. I just started riding with the SPD/MTB shoe combo coming from a "loose" clip/strap setup and had no problem transitioning.

Also, they make combo pedals, SPD on one side, platform on the other. Plus the MTB shoe lets you pedal without being clipped in if you break something. Not the best, but its doable by using the actual shoe cleats themselves, not the SPD cleat.

But since being connected to the pedal is more efficient, be it "click-in" or strapped, you want one or the other for most of your riding.

RoadTire 

+1. I've been in toe-clips since '75, always riding hard. ( I don't tour ) In traffic I just use the other side of the pedal if I'm in a jam getting started. The bindings are under my pedal since I never adjust them and they don't rub on the side of my shoe. Also I have the "inside" part of the strap as far back on the pedal, and the "outside" of the strap more to the front so I can get in and out easier.

One reason I'm going clipless this year is finding stiff sole shoes for toe-clips is more trouble and cost than I thought, w/o looking weird, so moving clipless.

shipwreck

Interesting, I never thought of doing either of those things. Don't know if I will try that, but its an idea. I ride in my Chaco sandals a lot and they are really bulky and wide, this might help.

As to stiff soled shoes, I have done some pretty long trips with cheapo payless sneakers on old quill style pedals. Soft soles have for some reason never bothered me, even after riding with spd shoes.

Caretaker

I toured clip less for years but in the last couple of years I've changed to clips and straps. Even though I was relatively experienced I still had accidents and fell over occasionally with 'clipless'. I love the convenience and safety of clips and straps.

Any 'newbie' will probably buy a bike supplied with platform pedals and clips and I think they should try them for a while before running out to buy a pair of SPD pedals and cleated shoes.

Outback Cayucan

After about a year Power Grips IMO surpass alternatives. Toe clips and my Bata Bikers worked fine 'till cleats became necessary. Finding 12EEE shoes was an ordeal, but finally located a pair of Sidi. The stiff sole split after a few years. Sidi's rep made me a 'deal' on their 'Genius' model in replacement. The ratchet mechanism suffered durability similar to the original's soles. So bravo that persistence has rewarded Sidi per praise elsewhere for their Dominator. The Genius still serve though a velcro strap from Home Depot replaced the failed mechanism that I removed.

About a year ago I lost my balance while getting under way. It kept me from riding nearly two months. OK I'm a klutz. But the Look Pedals / cleated Sidi Genius shoes are for my vintage Nishiki and the trainer. My ancient Bata Bikers are on borrowed time. I'm scoping out possibilities, confident that compatible shoe awaits discovery.https://www.rivbike.com/Articles.asp? ID=255 The fine and knowledgeable folks at Rivendel hold forth on the subject for those interested. Safety is my primary concern, as much as I admire all of you speedy demons.

JEdward

I've had clipless, and straps. I have found that I prefer platforms without straps. It's just more comfortable for me, especially if I want to break out the flip flops. I would always have issues with a toe or two going numb when going clipless and wearing the really stiff carbon fiber shoes. I'm over that stuff now. I'd like to invest in a good pair of platforms without straps. Something wide and grippy, and durable, but won't poke holes in my slippers should I decide to wear them for part of the tour.