Toe Clips??

[PAP103]

HI All,

Newbie here. I have a Trek Hybrid bike with just regular pedals. I'm seeing all kinds of info on clipless pedals. Does anyone use toe clips? I feel like I'd get claustrophobic (or kill myself) with clipless pedals. I am training for an 84 mile charity ride and will need all the help I can get!!

Thanks,
Patty

[Popoki_Nui]

Hi Patty: I use toe clips only. I know probably most people here use clipless (or clip-in) pedals, I've tried them but I really don't like them. I find having my feet locked into one position annoying. I also get numb toes when my feet stay in one position on the pedals too long, and using toe clips allows me to move my feet around and minimize numbness and cramping on long rides. You should go to a trusted bike store and discuss the pros and cons in your own situation, and even ask to try both kinds of pedals. You may find you really like clipless pedals, or you may find toe clips are better for you. Don't let anyone talk you into one type or the other....your own experience and preference are what matter.
Cheers,
Sherry.

[DeniseGoldberg]

...I find having my feet locked into one position annoying. I also get numb toes when my feet stay in one position on the pedals too long, and using toe clips allows me to move my feet around and minimize numbness and cramping on long rides.

Even with clipless pedals, you don't have to have your foot locked in to one position. It depends on the pedals that you use. I use Speedplay Frogs (yes, I do use a mountain bike pedal on my road bikes) which is a free float pedal. That is, there is nothing to stop my foot from moving. Many pedals are fixed position, and some allow some amount of movement (but not as much as a pedal like the Frog).

I started with toe clips and straps - because clipless pedals didn't exist when I started cycling. But I much prefer clipless pedals.

I think you'll find that wearing a good cycling shoe (not running shoes or some other athletic shoe) will bring you more efficiency pedaling even if you decide to go with toe clips.

--- Denise

[CR400]

I have used both kinds of pedals mentioned here in the past year the exception being my speedplays are X series not frogs. It really is an individual thing. Clips are good when you have to stop in a panic situation and would not have time or remember to unclip, but in reality those stops are rare. While clipless gives you the ability to put more of you muscle power behind the pedal, plus you don't have to worry about loosing your pedal if you stand. I've actually had it happen more then once.
And trust me falling from clipless accidents are more embarressing then anything, unless you fall in front of traffic. Unless of course you break easily then it may be bad. In fact I fell yesterday clipless, just a sore hip and a laugh was all.

[SadieKate]

I find that if you have the straps of clips tightened down to get the full benefit, you are much more likely to fall in an emergency stop. The action of unclipping from cleats is a much more natural movement and you don't have to reach down to loosen the strap. You have to move your foot back to step off the pedal while with clipless you move your foot to the side.

Straps can also put pressure across the top of your foot and cause numbness. The cage can put pressure on your toes if it doesn't fit just right.

Clipless pedals do not have to lock you into one position. Different pedal and cleat combos allow for varying degrees of float (rotation of your heel).

With either type of pedal you need to learn a good pedal stroke and to wiggle your toes a lot.

I've used both types and no way, no how, would I go back to cages.

[SadieKate]

You know, don't get freaked out by the stories of people falling with clipless pedals. It doesn't always happen and even if it does it may not be serious. I was much more likely to fall with cages and straps because I had them tightened down so I could use them as intended, to pull up on the pedal. If the straps are that tight, you're pretty much locked into the pedal.

You need to also consider the shoe aspect. The stiffer the sole, the more transfer of power and the fewer hots spots because your foot isn't collapsing over the pedal. Not sure what is available for use with cages, but the variety of shoes for clipless is almost unending. You may want to consider a mtbike shoe that has a stiff sole and has lugs for easier walking.

Anyway, with practice clipless are not as scary as they may sound. I think we tend to only hear the stories about falling but not all the success stories.

[LauraPaura]

Erm, I will probably sound a bit stupid but I have to ask..

Is clipless pedal like the one you "click" ourself into, like Shimano STD?

And toe clip is?

I thought I had it all figured out but then this thread came up :)

[DeniseGoldberg]

Erm, I will probably sound a bit stupid but I have to ask..

Is clipless pedal like the one you "click" ourself into, like Shimano STD?

And toe clip is?

I thought I had it all figured out but then this thread came up :)
The reason is that it's confusing (from a language standpoint, that is)! Yes, you're right clipless pedals are the ones you clip yourself into.
Toe clips are a cage that is attached to a pedal (not a clipless one...) that comes over the toe of your shoe. There is also a strap that attaches to both the pedal and the toe clip. It's used to tighten the connection between your foot and the pedal so you can pull up. I guess you could say that toe clips & straps are the predecessor to our current clipless pedals.

--- Denise

[JoHunter]

When I bought my bike I initially had toe clips, thinking I'd use them until I got used the bike and then upgrade to clipless. I had more accidents/near accidents in those than I had ever had in my clipless. I found that I would struggle to get the pedal to stay upgright to put my foot in the clip, and eventually took off the straps, rendering them useless. Personally I feel much less claustrophobic in the clipless. It is up to personal preference, but it doesn't take long to adjust to them SPDs once you start using them. I hear people really like the multi release pedals, so if you're afraid you'll have trouble twisting out, or remembering to twist as least you're able to pull out in any direction in an emergency.

[SadieKate]

Is clipless pedal like the one you "click" ourself into, like Shimano STD?Erm, Laura? It's SPD.:o

Shimano Pedal Dynamics or something or other. I really don't want an STD on my bike or anywhere near me.:p

[yellow]

Erm, Laura? It's SPD.:o

Shimano Pedal Dynamics or something or other. I really don't want an STD on my bike or anywhere near me.:p
But if you keep the cleat covers on....

Oh, I'll stop there.:p

[Adventure Girl]

But if you keep the cleat covers on....

Oh, I'll stop there.:pLet's all practice safe cycling!:rolleyes:

[SadieKate]

Don't leave home without your cleat rubbers.

:eek: :eek: :eek:

[LauraPaura]

Quote:
Originally Posted by LauraPaura
Is clipless pedal like the one you "click" ourself into, like Shimano STD?
Erm, Laura? It's SPD.

Shimano Pedal Dynamics or something or other. I really don't want an STD on my bike or anywhere near me.


OMG Heeeeeh :D I must've been tired when writing that ;)

But thanks for the clarification. No wonder I was confused..

[RoadRaven]

I find that if you have the straps of clips tightened down to get the full benefit, you are much more likely to fall in an emergency stop. The action of unclipping from cleats is a much more natural movement and you don't have to reach down to loosen the strap. You have to move your foot back to step off the pedal while with clipless you move your foot to the side.


When I first started, I used toe clips/cage - but took the straps right off... I have never cycled with those straps tight and holding me in - the thought of coordinating myself as I came to a stop to lean down and loosen a strap I found almost terrifying.

I find the cleats much more secure in terms of getting out - both practically and psychologically.

[GreenLady]

Any recommendations for shoes and pedals to buy? I am looking at clipless pedals (and thank you for all the advice in this thread); what should I get? And what do you like?

Thank you!

[nuthatch]

We all have our favorites (just like saddles)! Mine are any old mountain shoe and Crank Bros. Candy pedals. I like to be able to walk around when I get where I'm going.

[Crankin]

I love my Speedplays. They are so easy to get in and out of. If you want mountain shoes, get the Speedplay Frogs. I have road shoes, but many riders wear the Frogs for touring/walking around.

Robyn

[runner2]

[QUOTE=RoadRaven]When I first started, I used toe clips/cage - but took the straps right off... I have never cycled with those straps tight and holding me in - the thought of coordinating myself as I came to a stop to lean down and loosen a strap I found almost terrifying.

I find the cleats much more secure in terms of getting out - both practically and psychologically.[/QUOTE

Same here, no straps for me.
I have using both of them, clip-toe for my commute bike, and clipless for my road bikes, and since I stand so much, I found clipless is better for me in or out of the pedals.
And I always use dual side pedals.

[KTeach]

GO CLIPLESS! Once you get used to them you'll never go back! I was very wary, but my LBS convinced me to try clipless and they are great.

[maryellen]

go clipless before you have an opportunity to overthink it.

That said, i did a 560 mile aids ride last august with toe clips (without the straps) on my trek hybrid (7500fx), so you surely can do the day ride that you are planning with or without clips

[KSH]

HI All,

Newbie here. I have a Trek Hybrid bike with just regular pedals. I'm seeing all kinds of info on clipless pedals. Does anyone use toe clips? I feel like I'd get claustrophobic (or kill myself) with clipless pedals. I am training for an 84 mile charity ride and will need all the help I can get!!

Thanks,
Patty

When I did a test ride on my bike... my shoe got caught in the toe cover... and down I went. I knew there was no way I was riding with those things. So, I got clipless pedals right then and there.

If you want to ride serious distance... like training and riding 84 miles... just bite the bullet and get clipless pedals. Learn how to use them early on... and you will not regret having done it.

I also strongly suggest the Speedplay pedals. They allow for some float (movement of your foot) on the pedal, even while you are clipped in. They are also very easy to get in and out of. VERY EASY!

[Geonz]

I know that *if* I go clipless, I will go with the pedals that go both ways. (I always just said I was too cheap to get them... but now that I have spent beau coup bucks on a bicycle powered blender I guess that's hard to support - but hey! I can't afford clipless, I'm broke buying the blender!) I looked at some Shimano's on a guy's bike last week - one side for the funky bike shoe, the other side if I am in my sneakers. I don't mind having to fondle the pedal with my feet to get it on the right side (as it is I do a fun little flip to get the clip right-ways up). The guy said he liked those pedals for his week-long rides, because sometimes after the main ride he'd wnat to just go a mile to a store or something, and didn't feel like walking around on the bike shoes.

(Oh, and I have a Trek hybrdid - 7500FX and a Giant Nutra Hybrid.)

[mimitabby]

I have been riding with cages or clips across my feet for a few years now.
everyone else in my family has the SPD's, my two adult sons and my husband who thinks a perfect ride is 100 miles long.
But as it has been explained to me, if i convert to the SPD's I WILL fall, and
not being the most coordinated person in the world, I will probably fall a lot.
If falling is an issue for you, that should be a consideration.
I ride a tandem with my husband. he's got those SPD's on his pedals and i have the cages and both times he's done a slow motion dump of the bike, I've landed on my feet and he's gotten scraped elbows.
I probably don't have the things on tight enough, but I am very comfortable with them and at this point, i'm not sure i'm going to change. I'm 54 years old and it hurts to fall down.
I agree with the others, do get the kind of pedals that "go both ways"
everyone i know that has them loves them.
mimi

[Grog]

But as it has been explained to me, if i convert to the SPD's I WILL fall, and
not being the most coordinated person in the world, I will probably fall a lot.
If falling is an issue for you, that should be a consideration.


Don't let people scare you too much. I have never fell from not unclipping in time. I have been scared of falling once but didn't. It's been two years now. Maybe one day I will, but I still haven't.

I started with mountain SPDs at the lightest tension, rode these for more than a year, and now I have SPD-R (road), which are tighter. The first few days were a bit difficult so I always unclipped WAY ahead of time, both feet (as I always did with the other SPDs) and clipping-in was the hardest thing to learn again. But now I'm fine.

So it's not UNAVOIDABLE that you will fall. Possible. But if you first practice in a trainer, and then on grass, or leaning on something to hold your balance, you'll be fine I'm sure.

[SadieKate]

Thank you, Grog. That needed to be said.

[mimitabby]

please don't bad guy me. I think all sides of this argument have room to be heard.
I'm a timid rider and would love to be like all the "cool folks" and their SPD's
but I don't think it's going to happen. There are plenty of people who have already posted here about how great SPD's are, and plenty of others who have recounted about their falls with their feet still firmly in place.
So please don't beat me down for being in the minority.
thanks
mimi

[Aggie_Ama]

Mimi- Whatever works for you is what you should do.

I switched to clipless last year because my husband assured me I would love it. I have some SPD style pedals now. At first the tension was too tight and I fell trying to figure them out. Adjusted the tension and I still had a few spills. I even took so many tumbles I had to replace my handlebars! That being said, I iced the bruises and kept trying. Now I would never go back because I love the way it feels.

If you are concerned about falling, you probably will. I am not very coordinated and I fell. But if you want to try them, just get an ice pack and a good attitude. If you want to stick with toe clips, go for it.

For a recommendation (going back to Greenlady). I would find something dual sided. Either Speedplay or Crank Brothers Quatro (actually these are 4 sided). I have to flip my pedals to clip in. :rolleyes:

[Geonz]

It's a minority but they're respected here ;-) Go to other forums for the fun of mutual bashing :-) :cool:
I find that my sneakers mean people treat me a little more like a novice - and that suits me FINE because while I'm strong, it's unwise to assume I'm going to know what I'm doing. Just yesterday on my commute home I went the 25 mile route into the cornfields and at my left turn there were cars to the left, a truck to the right, okay, my turn... oops! Sorry, Jim! It wasn't even really close, but I obviously saw him a second later than I should have, tooling right at me 'cause he wasn't turning (and even if there *were* a stop sign that would have been a silly expectation). HOpefully he didn't recognize me (yea, right!) :o

[SadieKate]

Mimi, we are not bad guying you. We are bad guying whoever emphatically stated that you "WILL fall." This is the same negative lesson taught by my parents to me as a child: "Oh, honey, you stay here with me and we'll watch your brother do it." That's crap. Sorry. My parents only taught me fear. There are no guarantees in life about anyone's learning curve or aptitude until put to the test. If you haven't tried clipless yourself, you don't know that you will fall.

From my perspective, I see two discussions on this forum about clipless pedals: 1) which pedals to buy or 2) how much/often/hard each person will fall. Those who have mastered the pedals quickly don't say much because it sounds like bragging. There are some skills I've conquered faster than someone else but I'm not going to splash it all over the forum because I don't want others to feel inferior, yet I'm sure those others have mastered other skills faster than I. Due to this, we discuss the trials and tribulations of learning clipless but not the immediate successes.

By the way, a 65 yr old friend of mine just started riding seriously last fall. She got her first clipless pedals a couple of months ago and put in 300+(?) miles and has yet to fall. It's her attitude and the attention she gave to learning. She didn't just get on the bike and go for a ride. She spent some time doing nothing but clipping in/out and stopping/starting.

I've had this conversation with others offline and the general consensus is that the atmosphere on this forum is one of "you WILL fall" and it just teaches fear. We need to support, encourage and find ways to help each other learn, not surrender.

OK, off my soapbox.

[mimitabby]

nice posts, everyone. THank you. Good point. The fellow that told me I WOULD fall is 30 and buff, and he doesn't care if he falls or not. I would probably spend hours clipping and unclipping before i ever decided to try the spd's too.

[PAP103]

Well, I guess, if I were afraid of falling, I wouldn't be on a bike to begin with. Last summer, while riding my hybrid with sneakers (no cages), I stopped, put my right foot down and promptly toppled over into the bushes! :o

I bought a new road bike (Trek Pilot 2.1) and they put flat pedals on for me because I was afraid of the new bike, let alone being attached to it. But after a few rides, I decided that I should try the cages. I have been riding fine with them - no toppling over. So my next investment will be clipless pedals. But it won't be until after my Bike New York Tour on May7th.

Right now I'm leaning toward the Speedplay Frogs but I'm going to my LBS to get some more info on the different types.

I'm still new to all this cycling stuff so I'm going to take it a little at a time!
Many thanks to all of you for your opinions and advice. It makes a newbie feel like a real cyclist!!

Patty

[FreshNewbie]

Hey Patty, just wanted to add that SadieKate is right- don't be afraid of clipless, in the end you will love them and will never wanna go back. I got my clipless pedals one months after i started riding a bike, and I never had a bike when I was a child. Be confident and practice , practice , practice. It took me 2 times of park visits and 2-3 hours of practice to become comfortable enough to ride with a bike club and in traffic. Don't think about falling, think about the joy that biking gives you. Good luck!

[Grog]

I must add that, if you can do toe cages, it's maybe even EASIER to have clipless pedals!! I have always been scared of those cages, and find it's much less natural to get out of them, easier to get my laces tangled in them, etc. With clipless, especially mountain SPDs with little tension, I just moved my foot to the side and free I was.

I agree with SadieKate about the negativity surrounding clipless pedals. Don't let others put you down about things you have not even tried yet... See for yourself!

Good luck!

[KnottedYet]

At the moment I'm quite happy with my toe-cages. When I'm a stronger biker and feel I'm not getting enough out of my bike AND have money, I'll look into Speedplays or something.

One of my worries (and I have many) is that I won't be able to find shoes with a wide enough toe-box. I think I'd buy bike shoes first, then look into the clipless pedals.

I know that I DON'T like riding on flat pedals after using toe-cages for so long. Feels like I'm not attached to the bike enough and like I'm wasting energy.

[doc]

One of my worries (and I have many) is that I won't be able to find shoes with a wide enough toe-box. I think I'd buy bike shoes first, then look into the clipless pedals.

Men's shoes are wider than women's. I doubt you'll have a problem finding shoes to fit. I have 3 pairs all men's.

[Crankin]

Sidi makes shoes in a Mega width in almost all of their styles. I have a bunion on my left foot and after a few times of my foot swelling in hot weather, I got shoes in a bigger size, Mega width, when i switched from spds to Speedplays. You might also want to get shoes with the "ratchet" thing that allows you to adjust how tight the shoe is, in addition to the Velcro straps. If it starts getting really hot, I will stop and loosen up the shoes.

[Brina]

I know that *if* I go clipless, I will go with the pedals that go both ways. (I always just said I was too cheap to get them... but now that I have spent beau coup bucks on a bicycle powered blender I guess that's hard to support - but hey! I can't afford clipless, I'm broke buying the blender!) I looked at some Shimano's on a guy's bike last week - one side for the funky bike shoe, the other side if I am in my sneakers. I don't mind having to fondle the pedal with my feet to get it on the right side (as it is I do a fun little flip to get the clip right-ways up). The guy said he liked those pedals for his week-long rides, because sometimes after the main ride he'd wnat to just go a mile to a store or something, and didn't feel like walking around on the bike shoes.

(Oh, and I have a Trek hybrdid - 7500FX and a Giant Nutra Hybrid.)

This is what I have on my hybrid. If I am going out with my boys on their bikes and my daughter in her burly to ride a few miles then I use my cycling shoes. But if the guys and I are just riding to school together, (about a half mile) I wear my sneakers. I love having the option.

On my road bike I have Keo peddles and love them.

[KnottedYet]

As of this morning's bike skills class, I've removed my toe-cages. Feels odd. Now I'm looking into Frogs.

Robyn, thanks for the info on the Sidi Mega width shoes. I've got a neuroma I need to give lots of room.

Sure do like the sound of two-sided pedals! I like putt-putting around in my sneakers.

[Aggie_Ama]

Sadie is right- I *thought* I would fall and boy did I. It is mental. After struggling, I kept waiting for the next fall. When I stopped telling myself I would fall, I stopped falling.

[DirtDiva]

It so is. I went clipless when I bought a bike that came with SPDs. I'd read all kinds of horror stories here and I just thought "Bugger that - I am not going to let myself fall!" I took all the good advice I had seen here and practiced a little in my hallway before going for a spin around the very quiet streets in my imediate neighbourhood. I am yet to fall because I haven't unclipped in time. (I have, however, found some much stupider ways to come off: cornering at speed on pavers covered in gravelly bits in the dark, for instance... :p)

[runner2]

Do What Is Works For You.

Or Make It Work For You By Practice.

Be Safe.

[Hammer]

It so is. I went clipless when I bought a bike that came with SPDs. I'd read all kinds of horror stories here and I just thought "Bugger that - I am not going to let myself fall!" I took all the good advice I had seen here and practiced a little in my hallway before going for a spin around the very quiet streets in my imediate neighbourhood. I am yet to fall because I haven't unclipped in time. (I have, however, found some much stupider ways to come off: cornering at speed on pavers covered in gravelly bits in the dark, for instance... :p)

That's actually a good way to come off... How did you manage to fall WHILE moving at speed and NOT get hurt enough to use a :( emoticon instead of a :p THAT's what I have to figure out... the art of falling... in case it happens again.

[Grog]

That's actually a good way to come off... How did you manage to fall WHILE moving at speed and NOT get hurt enough to use a :( emoticon instead of a :p THAT's what I have to figure out... the art of falling... in case it happens again.

Tuck and roll. Stick whatever you can as close to your core as you can, especially your neck. Do not try to stop the fall with your hands (broken wrists guaranteed). Maximize the surface that touches the ground (ex: arm instead of elbow).

This being said, falling is not fun, but it makes me feel like a kid who can still play. As long as nothing's broken too badly, falling once in a while makes a good story to tell and makes me feel alive. I could stay at home and do nothing and try nothing outside of my comfort zone and I wouldn't fall, but then I would :( instead of :p . Dunno what the Neo-Zelander thinks about this though, I just speak for myself here!

[DirtDiva]

As far as the :p not :( goes, this Neo Zealander is just young and stupid still, I guess. ;) I would have remebered the gravelly bits were in that spot if I'd thought about it, but I was having fun leaning my bike as far over as I could on the corners and totally overdid it on that one; it wasn't so much that I was going fast as just too fast for that situation. It was much more "duh!" than "ow!" (and I had a sweet bruise on my forearm/elbow to show off). Grog's right - falling has a perverse enjoyablity in it's feel-alive factor. (Or I'm just a bit odd. :D)