Pedal Question re: my Trek 1000

[Bikingmomof3]

Okay, this has probably been covered numerous times, if so, please direct me to the proper thread. I would have searched, but I am not certain what my pedals are.

In previous threads I show my bike. It is a brand spanking new Trek 1000 and it has these things that I am to slip the toe of my shoe in. Are those clip pedals? Seriously I was told, I just do not think in my giddiness I was paying attention.

Do I need special shoes? My running shoes seem too big (fat) in the front for these. If I need special shoes, can I find a decent pair for under $100?

Please help.

[Pedal Wench]

You have what Trek calls "Alloy/nylon road w/clips and straps". Standard platform pedals that you can use just about any type of shoe with. If your sneakers don't fit in, try loosening the straps.

Those are platforms, and the straps are usually called 'toe clips'.

So, when the new cleat/pedal systems were invented, they were referred to as 'clipless', which is very confusing because you really clip into them.

Confused yet?

[Trek420]

They are called toe clips, or sometimes &^%$ toe clips

There is nothing wrong with toe clips, it's just that I find clipless pedals easier to get in and out of!

"special shoes" will help even if you don't go clipless!!

More about this later, you'll excuse me TE gals. One of my coworkers has been serving in the reserves in Iraq. He just walked in, he's back....off to give him a hug

[DirtDiva]

Like, straps that go over your foot? Sounds like toeclips to me. I'm sure you could find a pair of bike shoes for under $100. They'd be better than running shoes anyway as the soles are stiffer. Plus, when you're ready to go clipless you'd already have the shoes to screw the cleats into.

[Bikingmomof3]

You have what Trek calls "Alloy/nylon road w/clips and straps". Standard platform pedals that you can use just about any type of shoe with. If your sneakers don't fit in, try loosening the straps.

Those are platforms, and the straps are usually called 'toe clips'.

So, when the new cleat/pedal systems were invented, they were referred to as 'clipless', which is very confusing because you really clip into them.

Confused yet?

Completely confused. the migraine is not helping my thinking. LOL

There is not a strap. It is more like a molded "cup" the front part of the shoe is supposed to slide into.

Does that help? All I know is it is darn difficult to get my shoes into and if I must buy new shoes, I do not want to 1) buy the wrong shoe and 2) spend a fortune.

[Bikingmomof3]

They are called toe clips, or sometimes &^%$ toe clips

There is nothing wrong with toe clips, it's just that I find clipless pedals easier to get in and out of!

"special shoes" will help even if you don't go clipless!!

More about this later, you'll excuse me TE gals. One of my coworkers has been serving in the reserves in Iraq. He just walked in, he's back....off to give him a hug

Quite understandable. Thank him for me, please.

When you do get time, I am so clueless about the shoe thing.

[Bikingmomof3]

Like, straps that go over your foot? Sounds like toeclips to me. I'm sure you could find a pair of bike shoes for under $100. They'd be better than running shoes anyway as the soles are stiffer. Plus, when you're ready to go clipless you'd already have the shoes to screw the cleats into.

Not really straps. The toe portion is molded. No adjusting. Does it make sense? I can try to photograph them. I think my battery is dead, but if I am not making sense to anyone, I will give it a try.

[mimitabby]

Sounds like toe clips without straps.
For my Toeclips, i found that a pair of merrill slip on shoes worked better than
the bike shoes i had for 2 years.
so try some of your other shoes.
the good news is if you buy bike shoes, you can always change them to whatever pedal system you end up if you decide to change from the clips.

[Bikingmomof3]

Hopefully this will help. Here is what my pedal and toe clip (?) look like. What shoes do I need?

[DebW]

If you have typical toe clips there will be a molder plastic cup-like piece that the front 1/3 of your shoe slides into and a strap that goes around the pedals and through a hole in the top front edge of the toe clip. The clips come in different sizes to match your shoe size. They may be steel, alloy, or plastic. Running shoes usually have such thick soles that they do not work well with toe clips. Look for a shoe with thin soles - sometimes tennis shoes are better. An ideal shoe for toe clips would have a stiffener in the ball of the foot area so you don't feel the pedal cage edges. There was a shoe called the Bata Biker sold in the late 70s that was designed like this. Now I don't know of any shoes made specifically for biking in toe clips (since clipless are so popular). BTW, clipless shoes without the clips would not be a good choice as the soles are too slick. You want a rubber sole that would grip the pedal but be moderately smooth. Big bumps or ridges in the sole would make it hard to extract your feet from the pedals, too smooth may not stay in the pedals well enough.

edit: The pic appeared after I posted. You have some sort of modern? unusual? toe clip that doesn't use straps. These will force your foot into the right position on the pedal but not produce much pedaling power or keep your feet from slipping sideways or backwards. My comments above still apply. But if I were you I'd swap them for real clips and straps.

[Bikingmomof3]

Sounds like toe clips without straps.
For my Toeclips, i found that a pair of merrill slip on shoes worked better than
the bike shoes i had for 2 years.
so try some of your other shoes.
the good news is if you buy bike shoes, you can always change them to whatever pedal system you end up if you decide to change from the clips.

I just put a phot of my pedal on. Please take a look when you get time. I am not a shoe person, so I only have running shoes and Birkenstocks. I will need shoes, I just do not want to spend a fortune on them, KWIM?

[Bikingmomof3]

If you have typical toe clips there will be a molder plastic cup-like piece that the front 1/3 of your shoe slides into and a strap that goes around the pedals and through a hole in the top front edge of the toe clip. The clips come in different sizes to match your shoe size. They may be steel, alloy, or plastic. Running shoes usually have such thick soles that they do not work well with toe clips. Look for a shoe with thin soles - sometimes tennis shoes are better. An ideal shoe for toe clips would have a stiffener in the ball of the foot area so you don't feel the pedal cage edges. There was a shoe called the Bata Biker sold in the late 70s that was designed like this. Now I don't know of any shoes made specifically for biking in toe clips (since clipless are so popular). BTW, clipless shoes without the clips would not be a good choice as the soles are too slick. You want a rubber sole that would grip the pedal but be moderately smooth. Big bumps or ridges in the sole would make it hard to extract your feet from the pedals, too smooth may not stay in the pedals well enough.

Were you able to see the phot? It posted right before your postm but i am never certain if other can view the picture. I have the molded cup, but no strap.

[KSH]

. Look for a shoe with thin soles - sometimes tennis shoes are better. An ideal shoe for toe clips would have a stiffener in the ball of the foot area so you don't feel the pedal cage edges.

Uuuummm... better yet with BM3 with your NEW Trek 1000... go out and buy some proper shoes and clipless pedals... *evil grin* ... they are safer in the long run... AND you will go faster!

[Pedal Wench]

Until you're ready for clipless pedals (with cleats that attach the shoes to your pedals) you could get away with a cheap pair of tennis shoes - like the old Keds, or the knock-off that Target sells. However, I found a pair of Diadora shoes that worked best - they had a stiffer sole than the tennies, but still had a low profile that would fit, and the sole wasn't too slick, or too grippy. I'll see if I can find a pic.

[Bikingmomof3]

Uuuummm... better yet with BM3 with your NEW Trek 1000... go out and buy some proper shoes and clipless pedals... *evil grin* ... they are safer in the long run... AND you will go faster!

Any suggestions on clipless pedals and shoe brands? I am still learning.