Another alternative is to give up on any kind of attachment. Many riders do just fine with a MTB specific flat pedal ( not the original bear traps that come with the bike) and a bike specific flat shoe. 5/10 makes some great shoes - they resemble skate shoes but the sole is very stiff, and sticky. They are sticky enough that the pedaling efficiency argument is pretty much a non-starter

At any rate, I'd suggest ditching toe clips. If you have any aspirations towards technical riding they are pretty worthless. Why?
  • The time that it takes to get in and out of a toe clip is vital time where you could be already putting a foot down.
  • If you are strapped into a toe clip, it's really no different that being clipped in: you are still attached to the bike when you may not want to be.
  • The bear trap pedals that toe clips attached to are like meat grinders on your legs.
  • The pedal is not balanced. It's guaranteed that when you want to put your toe in the cage, the cage will be flipped to the down side and you'll need to waste time flipping it around with your toe so you can get your foot in it.
  • Again, flipping the cage around is wasted time when you might need to be focusing on the trail, an obstacle, anything but what you are doing with your feet.
  • Last but not least, if you are riding on the flat side of the pedal (don't want to be in the cage) with the cage on the downside....well.... any one ever notice all the broken bits of toes clips along the trail? They get caught on things, bounce off rocks, break, reduce clearance...

Don't let people tell you that you have to be attached to the bike somehow. Many strong successful riders use flats and sticky shoes and do just fine.

Great article by Lee McCormack, http://www.leelikesbikes.com/benefit...at-pedals.html




Notice how the shoe has ankle coverage on the inside...