Toe Clips

[Munch]

Hey everyone,

This is only my second week of cycling but I'm loving it. I'm thinking about getting some toe clips to make things a bit easier on myself. My bike is pretty junkie and I don't have the money to buy or the bravery to try clipless pedals. I was thinking getting some toe clips first would be a good place to start. Any kinds you ladies would suggest? Any advice is very welcome!

Thanks!

[malkin]

Get something that your shoe will fit into.

[Crankin]

Toe clips are scarier than clipless pedals, in my mind.

[Munch]

Toe clips are scarier than clipless pedals, in my mind.

How so?

[Crankin]

Well, with the traditional kind of toe clips, you have to reach down with your hand and release straps, to get out of the cages. To me, that's a lot more coordination than twisting my foot out of a cleat! I know that some people use the cages without the straps, but I am not sure if this works well.
Have you thought about getting Power Grips? They are basically a velcro strap that you slide your foot into. You get out of the strap by using the same motion as you would use in clipless pedals. My friend, who said she would never use clipless, got these, and within 6 months had clipless pedals. It was a good intermediate step.

[goldfinch]

I use Powergrips part of the time on my hybrid. I like them well enough.


http://www.amazon.com/Power-Grips-Sp...8595991&sr=1-1

Another possibility is to get "half" clips that don't use straps, for example:


http://www.amazon.com/Zefal-Cristoph...8595850&sr=1-2


http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Bicycle-...8595850&sr=1-1

[Munch]

goldfinch:
I was looking at these on amazon myself and these are actually what I was talking about when I said toe clips. Are these very good? Do you know anyone who uses them?

[goldfinch]

goldfinch:
I was looking at these on amazon myself and these are actually what I was talking about when I said toe clips. Are these very good? Do you know anyone who uses them?

I know one person who uses the mini toe clips and loves them. He rides a lot of miles. He likes them because he can get his feet out quickly yet they still provide some stabilization for his feet. I've never tried them so I just don't know. They would be easier to use than the Powergrips.

[Munch]

Yeah, but my my reason for getting them is to help pull up when I'm pedaling and I just don't know if the mini toe clips will be rigid enough to help me with that. Also from what I'm seeing on amazon, the powergrips are screwed on to the pedal, I haven't see any of the velcro ones that were mentioned.

[lovelygamer]

This is a fascinating thread. I've never seen special pedals up close, only read about them. I was curious too.

[Artista]

I stopped using clipless pedals and went back to traditional toe clips this spring. The way I use toe clips is much easier than clipless since I don't cinch the straps down. They're just loose enough to get my feet in and out. The clips help keep my feet straight and centered on the pedals and keep my feet from bouncing off the pedals when I ride over big bumps and during rough shifts. I obviously don't use them to pull back or up on the pedals since I keep the straps relatively loose. I didn't notice any loss of power when I switched from clipless but I also spent last winter building a lot more muscle.

[Artista]

I just read the post about pulling up on the pedals. The huge majority of our power is generated during the downstroke. There is very little to be gained by pulling up and can actually interfere with the downstroke. With that being said, I did occasionally pull back and up with clipless pedals to give my most used leg muscles a break when I got tired. But I don't even miss that break now that I'm a whole log stronger.

[shootingstar]

I have the last 2 illustrated toe clips or toe cups for middle one on my bikes.

You have to look abit hard at my feet area in this year's photo.

Another recent photo. I probably look too "cycling" oriented. But honest, I have little interest in clipless....after um, last 20 yrs. of cycling. Howeve on the other side, I have no interest in cycling just high heels, dress shoes or my walking shoes.

I've gone bike touring for several weeks, etc. Yes, they keep feet from slipping off pedals and provide a lever to get up hills.

[goldfinch]

Also from what I'm seeing on amazon, the powergrips are screwed on to the pedal, I haven't see any of the velcro ones that were mentioned.

They aren't velcro. You put your foot in at a slight angle and then straighten the foot out, resulting in the Powergrips holding your foot tight. I actually loosened the left foot grip for ease of getting in and out of the Powergrip. Right now I am not using them but I may go back to using them on my hybrid. Or not.

[rivergal]

Another vote for PowerGrips. I use them on my road bike, my sis uses them on hers, and my brother uses them on his commuter bike. They give you more power than cages, not quite as much as clipless, but good enough. They are also kinder to my knees, which need all the help they can get!