toe clips and straps

sherwin

Ive never brought into the idea of clipless pedals. I dont like the idea of having to purchase pedalsAND shoes, it may improve the cadence etc. but it's always smacked of a shrewd marketing idea to con extra money out of the punters. Also my friend fell off twice the first, and only, time he used them. I should'nt have laughed but he looked like he was breakdancing while still attached to his bike.
So I'm still on the toeclips, even on my new Colnago Arte, and I'm wondering how alone I am in this, how many others share my Luddite-like prejudices?

BUICK

You use pedals AND shoes anyway don't you? And have to replace shoes and straps etc. If you are happy with what you have that's great but it's just a choice to make for yourself - I suspect that most serious cyclists find that there are serious advantages to clipless pedals and would disagree with you, but that doesn't mean I want you to change your mind. Stay old-school if that's what feels right by all means! Just recognise that it is preference and a smattering of 'luddite prejudices' on your part, not a conspiracy. Clipless pedals evolved as far as I know out of the bindings that skiers use - you don't see many modern skiers or snowboarders recreationally or in competition that choose not to use the clever, easy to use bindings available - and in the pro cycling peloton there aren't a lot of clips and straps.

marusches

just you I think.

your mate probably didn't have cleats set right on pedals and to be honest would have fallen off any way.why don't you try your mates might work for you. if you think its a big con then obviously so is carbon fibre dura ace,record 11,computers and not forgetting zipp wheels. so why did you upgrade your bike ?don't take this personally but if i ever saw you on your Arte with toe clips i would probably laugh.

fast as fupp

frankly they should have quit when they brought out the hobby-horse

science-schmeience

pah!

Big Red S

My only real gripe with clips and straps is that to get any benefit aside from foot position out of them, I need to strap my foot onto the pedal. And then if, for whatever reason, I need to get my feet off the pedals in a hurry, I've to bend down and unstrap them.

Cleats just seem so much simpler and less hassle to me. And safer.

meagain

Never tried clipless. Can't see why I would bother now.

Monty Dog

As someone who started on clips and straps, before quick-release pedals, having used numerous types of clipless pedals over the years and then for a bit of nostalgia, built-up a early 80's retrobike complete with old pedals, clips straps and shoes and can say that in 20 years, there's been a significant improvement. The first time I went back out on my old, slipper soft Duegi shoes, struggled to get my feet in the pedals and pulled on the straps I couldn't believe the pain! The shoes flopped around all over the place, my knees starting aching and out of the saddle efforts felt very odd. It might be OK for leisure cycling, but if you're serious about cycling, you're doing yourself a huge disservice by sticking with outdated kit - the convenience and comfort are worth it. FWIW the last pro to use clips and straps was Sean Kelly, who finally hung his up in about 1991. If you think shoes and pedals are a marketing conspiracy, heck, let's hang Mr Dunlop while we're at is and return to solid tyres and get back on our ordinaries - chains and sprockets are such a rip off! I can't believe you're prepared to spend all that money on a Colnago and deny yourself the pleasure of riding it properly!.

penugent

sherwin wrote:

. Also my friend fell off twice the first, and only, time he used them. I should'nt have laughed ?

Therein lies your error.

It is normal to fall the first time these pedals are used. The usual response is to enjoy having a laugh at yourself and get back on the pedals rather than junk them. It takes a while to both get used to these pedals and appreciate their value.

OffTheBackAdam

Do you still wear wooly shorts & jerseys, ride a Reynolds 531-framed bike, with side-pull brakes & steel, cottered-cranks, whilst spending hours breaking your Brookes B17 saddle in with copious amounts of neatsfoot oil?

beverick

I was tempted to go back to clips and straps when I rebuilt the road bike last year mainly to get a "retro" look (and yes I have a B17 which is not yet "run in" - so ouch).

I then remembered the hassle in having to undo the straps every time I stopped (or having to look for something to lean against) and then having 'strap in' when you get going again. nb, I can still do the 'toe-clip-flick' to get the pedal the right way up!. I decided to stay with SPDs but just went for a chromed single sided pedal.

Clips have the advantage that you don't impair the integrity of the shoe's sole (ie cut holes in in!) and are a better bet for wet weather cycling. You can also wear, within limits, whatever shoe you want. However, over time clips damage the upper of the shoe and this damage is usually irreparable.

Bob

markos1963

Having had a crash in the early eighties whilst using clips and straps i can testify to the damage they cause(ruptured ligaments in my achilies). I recently came off on black ice using SPD's and I had no problems at all, in fact I didn't even notice the bike unclip from me and roll away. What would you prefer? Unless you're on a track with a fixie there is no justification for straps.

BigG67

This all seems a bit tough on the OP. He/she's asking for some perspective on how many others still use strap...saying you'd laugh at him/her and so on is a touch mean spirited.

FWIW, I was nervous and a little cycinical about SPDs et al when I started but with a couple of rides (and falls :oops: ) under my belt they do make a HUGE differencefor the better.

As for safety while I've not had a big off - touch wood - one of my mates did; he and the bike separated perfectly after which he managed to stand up clip in and ride on.....

Tourist Tony

OffTheBackAdam wrote:

Do you still wear wooly shorts & jerseys, ride a Reynolds 531-framed bike, with side-pull brakes & steel, cottered-cranks, whilst spending hours breaking your Brookes B17 saddle in with copious amounts of neatsfoot oil?

You know I do...well, almost. And what is wrong with a Brooks B17?
After riding all my life with clips and straps I turned to them out of curiosity in my 40s and find they make life a lot easier. I wouldn't go back. When you buy cycle shoes these days, they generally come cleat-compatible, so where's the problem? If you want the option of riding in "ordinary" shoes, get double-sided pedals.

gondwanaman

Always used toeclips until my xmas pressies arrived last year. I ride a fuji fixed gear bike and I amused a few bystanders trying to clip my left leg in but after the first couple of rides I'm starting to really like them.
My shoes are budget and pinch a bit, will experiment with different socks, however they do give you a feeling of security.
The only fall, so far, was leaning against the pergola practising clipping.

dennisn

I've still got my "old" set of Suntour Superbe Pro pedals. They worked just fine and still do when I put them on for the occasional nostalgia ride. Even have a pair of wood soled shoes to complete the look. In the end though I'm a confirmed clipless rider. I find them easier, safer, and more comfortable. They do take a bit of getting used to, but so does any style that requires you do a bit of planning before you come to a halt. You will fall over in either type unless you unclip or loosen the strap BEFORE stopping.

Dennis Noward

BigG67

My best fall came when I approached a quiet junction that I use on my commute. There was no noise so while I slowed at the give way just in case I fully expecting nothing to be coming, then....bugger me there was a couple of roadies! The the shock of seeing them made me slam on my brakes (more than needed) and I fell like a tree to the side.

Of course they were going slow enough to see all of this and had a good laugh......can't blame them :oops:

El Gordo

OffTheBackAdam wrote:

whilst spending hours breaking your Brookes B17 saddle in with copious amounts of neatsfoot oil?

Don't bring B17's into this - I have one for touring and it is the most comfortable thing I've ever sat on. Wouldn't put it on my road bike though as it weighs a tonne..

Clipless pedals though are fantastic things. SO much better than clips and straps and much much easier to get out of in a hurry (after the initial rites-of-passage embaressing falls).

dennisn

El Gordo wrote:

OffTheBackAdam wrote:

Clipless pedals though are fantastic things. SO much better than clips and straps and much much easier to get out of in a hurry (after the initial rites-of-passage embaressing falls).

No truer statement than the "initial rites-of-passage...". Guess you've just got to
fall a couple of times(and in front of people), then everything works great.
I fell once, in my own driveway, as I was laying there struggling to unclip and get up,
who should pull into the driveway but my wife and 3 of her friends. They all made some snide remark as they walked by me, laying there, and I'm sure told everyone else that they knew, all about it. So much for my image with the ladies.

Dennis Noward

Tourist Tony

Of course, there is the other face-reddener. Out on a country ride in Suffolk with a group of people including a certain well-known 'bent designer.
Loose cleat bolts.
I had to take a shoe off to pop the cleat out and then retighten.
Oops.

Monty Dog

Yes, falliing-off is a rite of passage and my memory is that when we all used to have clips and straps, it was quite a frequent occurrence - particularly on group rides. If the guys at the front weren't quick enough with their calls at junctions or something unexpected happened that it was inevitable that somebody at the back would take a tumble - it was something we learned to live with. Mind you, we we'ren't riding in expensive clothing and kit like today and you could always darn-up the resultant hole in your wooly tights!

unclemalc

Monty Dog wrote:

As someone who started on clips and straps, before quick-release pedals, having used numerous types of clipless pedals over the years and then for a bit of nostalgia, built-up a early 80's retrobike complete with old pedals, clips straps and shoes and can say that in 20 years, there's been a significant improvement. The first time I went back out on my old, slipper soft Duegi shoes, struggled to get my feet in the pedals and pulled on the straps I couldn't believe the pain! The shoes flopped around all over the place, my knees starting aching and out of the saddle efforts felt very odd. It might be OK for leisure cycling, but if you're serious about cycling, you're doing yourself a huge disservice by sticking with outdated kit - the convenience and comfort are worth it. FWIW the last pro to use clips and straps was Sean Kelly, who finally hung his up in about 1991. If you think shoes and pedals are a marketing conspiracy, heck, let's hang Mr Dunlop while we're at is and return to solid tyres and get back on our ordinaries - chains and sprockets are such a rip off! I can't believe you're prepared to spend all that money on a Colnago and deny yourself the pleasure of riding it properly!.

LOL!
Personally, I rode with straps for about 10 years and thought everything was fine: then my favourite SIDIs fell apart, so I took the plunge, went for spds and a suitably harder soled shoe and, needless to say, had an epiphany...
The increased power you can apply with a hard sole, suitably tensioned into a clipless pedal, is greater, and more comfortable.

unclemalc

Monty Dog wrote:

Yes, falliing-off is a rite of passage and my memory is that when we all used to have clips and straps, it was quite a frequent occurrence - particularly on group rides. If the guys at the front weren't quick enough with their calls at junctions or something unexpected happened that it was inevitable that somebody at the back would take a tumble - it was something we learned to live with. Mind you, we we'ren't riding in expensive clothing and kit like today and you could always darn-up the resultant hole in your wooly tights!

I never fell off with straps! :shock:
I fall off all the time with clipless!! :shock: :shock:
I think it's because I am left-handed and automatically unclip my left foot if there is any need, but tend to fall to my right. I DO NOT know what that's all about but I am brilliant at falling with style and landing uninjured, without bending the rear hanger...

Elganesh

I still use toe-clips and find them great. I'm considering moving to clipless pedals when I get my new bike in March, though I suspect I'll have much the same learning experience as I did when I first used toe-clips. A few falls, some scrapes and a bit of injured pride.