Toe Clips

I recently returned to cycling after a 25 year absence. I am looking for toe clips for my new bike (Trek 7100). I ride mostly on paved bike trails and paved streets. I have seen both toe clips with and without straps. When I used to ride (25years ago) the only kind that I used were the ones with a strap that were adjustable.

I am not sure what the advantages/disadvantages are for each type.

Any help?

Thanks,

Tom

Get clipless. They are easier to get in and out of.

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2004 Trek 1000
2005 Giant Elwood
ACE Folding Bicycle

Tom,
Most people nowadays prefer clip-less pedals, as they are far safer and more comfortable than clips and straps as it is so much easier to disengage your feet – one typically would just twist the foot to the side as opposed to reaching down blindly to flick the strap open.

Clip-less are more comfortable too as you don’t have the toe strap cutting the blood flow off. They are also more secure as there is much less chance of pulling your foot out with clip-less although some “track cyclists” would argue however as they some of them still use then but with two toe straps for added security- impractical for the road.

I always remember the first day I went clip-less back in the 80’s, it was like night and day, I am sure others will agree. Go talk to the LBS.

Good Luck.
Bill

Strapless toe clips have big advantages in traffic and in commuting. Easy in/out and wear any shoes.

I fit 2-3 pair a month.

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Cheers,
George.

Depends on what you want the clip for. If you just want the clip to position your foot on the pedal, then for commuting and urban riding with alot of starts and stops, then the strapless are easier. If you want a solid attachment to the pedals to allow pulling up, then you need straps, and you need to pull them tight. If you are not going to pull the straps tight, then they actually don't do anything. That being said, if you want that level of performance and don't need to ride in non-cycling shoes, then by far the clipless set-up is better. Of course that involves the investment in pedals/ shoes and makes the bike a bit less convenient to ride in street shoes.

Hi Tom,

I ride with toe clips and straps as I haven't found clipless pedals that I really feel comfortable with. Consequently I have two sets of pedals that I do not use. But that is just my preference, and clipless has a larger following than toe clips so they must be OK. I guess I'm just hardcore retro.

As with nearly everything in bicycling, try new things and see if you feel comfortable with them. If you can afford it, take your bike your LBS and buy a pair of shoes, and then ask them if you can try out several different types of clipless pedals to go with the shoes. Usually, since you have made the purchase, they will be agreeable to the trials, especially since it would probably be another sale.

i agree with everybody else on here but i have clipless on both of my bikes and i would have it no other way, the clipless are alot easier to get in and out of in a hurry if you need to and clipless is also alot more effective when you are out riding.

Ride with whatever you feel comfortable and safe with. I fell into the trap of being pressured to go clipless when I bought my Trek 5200. I had never ridden clipless before and the bike shop put a LOT of pressure on me to go clipless. I did (Shimano) and paid for it with a torn rotator cuff and four months off the bike (a car stopped in front of me, not enough time to unclip, fall over on my right shoulder. If I had been using toe clips, I could have got my foot out and down.).

I will NEVER ride clipless on an open road or bike path environment. There are too many variables, and too many things that can happen which are unexpected. I can see using clipless pedals on a closed course or racing, but out in the 'world,' it's a matter of time until something unexpected occurs and you get hurt. No thanks. I don't ride to impress others, I ride for my own fun and enjoyment.

Do whatever feels comfortable and safe for YOU.

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My Stable: BMC TeamMachine (dura-ace) / BMC Road Racer (ultegra) / BMC Carborazor (Road Build-Ultegra)

Thanks for the advice. Sorry to hear of your accident, I guess I'll try the toe clips first. I do not have the "funds" for the clip-less set-up. That would involve an investment of almost $300!!! Sorry, I just can't justify that kind on money for pedals and shoes.

I believe you could pretty easily get into a quality set of pedals and shoes for less than $150, if you shopped around. For example, I believe you could get some good pedals for around $40 and shoes for less than $100. I believe I paid $40 + $75 for my shoes and pedals, and both are very good. There are combos on sale for even less..

As just one example, which I would not hesitate to check out if I needed new pedals and shoes - of course you have to decide if the shoes fit you. But both items have a good reputation for quality:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_id=2121.

I'm not trying to talk you into anything. Although I love clipless setups (use MTB +SPD on road and MTB), I have no delusions that everyone should have them.

Another idea, Power Grips: http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...All%20Products

or
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...All%20Products

Toe clips with a properly cinched strap are much harder to get out of in a hurry than clipless pedals.

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"All that we see and seem is but a dream, within a dream..."

The operative words here are "properly cinched". Since I do not pull them tight and I wear shoes that do not have a really knobby tread on them,they work out quite nicely. It doesn't cut off the circulation to the toes and my foot slips right out when I need it to. They are tight enough, though , so that my feet don't move around very much on the pedals, plus the toe clips are the correct size so that my feet are positioned correctly on the pedals.

The only people who I know who "properly cinch" thier straps are track riders, but they always have someone to catch them at the end of their run.

When I last used 'em (before '92), I would have to reach down and undo the strap when stopping in traffic, although, not using cleats, I could (usually) rip my shoe out in an emergency. I would submit that if you're not cinching the strap, you're only marginally ahead of a platform pedal.

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"All that we see and seem is but a dream, within a dream..."

agree with Arte.

I have used both clip'ed and , now , clipless. No way you'd get your foot out of a clip'ed system faster than clipless. Keeling over because you could not / did not anticipate stopping is something that just happens.

clipless are the way to go. Turn down the tension to minimum when you're starting out and it'll be easy to learn / transition to.

cheers.

.

I don't know about that. I have the straps cinched down pretty well, to reduce 'foot slide' and have no problems getting out of them in a hurry.

In the case of my car-bike run in......I was riding along at 25 miles per hour when lost old people in a cadillac decided to pull over to get their bearings, without looking to see if anyone was there. By the way they were driving, I was wary of them to begin with and had begun slowing (they were very erratic). I was down to 15 mph when they pulled into the far right of the road (where I was) and just stopped. I braked, hard, but didn't have time to unclip. I hit the back of the cadillac and went over on my right shoulder (hitting the shoulder on the raised curb). The old couple then proceeded to drive off, completely unaware of what happened (I'm just glad they didn't back up). So I'm laying on the side of the road, still clipped in, and at that point thought I had a broken or separated shoulder. Some other drivers who saw the whole thing stopped and helped me (they even loaded my bike into their van and drove me home). If I had been riding clips instead of clipless, I could have got my foot out and down and would never have gone over.

I continue to believe it's a personal choice. People should ride with what they're comfortable with and not feel pressured by what's 'cool' or feel like they'll be 'less' if they choose to NOT ride clipless. If someone is comfortable with clipless pedals, and feel they can ride safely, then that's the thing for them. Personally, I will never ride clipless again. One wrecked shoulder is enough for me (rotator cuff surgery sucks). I gave the Shimano clipless pedals to the bike mechanic at the local LBS in exchange for some work and we both came away happy I get some VERY weird looks, riding my Cervelo, Trek, or BMC (Team Machine and a Road Racer) with clipped pedals (went with the vintage Campagnolos), but I'm comfortable, safe, and enjoying my rides. Each to their own.

cheers
FF

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My Stable: BMC TeamMachine (dura-ace) / BMC Road Racer (ultegra) / BMC Carborazor (Road Build-Ultegra)