Newbie here checking in!

[Helene2013]

I'm back.

I had flat pedals last year (could not dream yet of using clipless). During winter, I practiced on trainer with the clipless and it was good. I had noticed an issue on the left cleat but thought it was me.

I ended up doing a ride Easter weekend, with clipless and landed 3 bad falls, with minor injuries, still requiring a bit of physiotherapy, and some visible scratches still to heal.

So I lost confidence for time-being in those. I had to find a quick solution and go back to flats but wanted something better than the standard I had previously on bike.

Went to a local bikeshop and saw a nice pair of spinning shoes that had nice soles.
Not too bumpy so the grip is perfect. http://www.artscyclery.com/Giro_Wome...age-GIWWS.html

The tech told me to try these clips.

I did not want to "lock" my feet again. Too traumatized. hihi

Well I did 100km (+/- 60 miles) this past weekends (and other outings prior to that) and never once I lost my footing. I can still push up hills. I can get out very quickly if needed (and it did happen once or twice I had to do an emergency stop. I was glad to have those shoes on.

One day I may (or may simply not) go back to clipless. But for the time being, it serves me very well and I'm confident in those knowing I don't have to think to unclip in the event of an emergency. I have enough controlling my bike, without thinking of shoes. At 51YO, I don't need broken bones or worst.

So you may want to look into this for now and go where your heart and head want to go. Good luck and keep us posted.

[TigerMom]

I'm back.

I had flat pedals last year (could not dream yet of using clipless). During winter, I practiced on trainer with the clipless and it was good. I had noticed an issue on the left cleat but thought it was me.

I ended up doing a ride Easter weekend, with clipless and landed 3 bad falls, with minor injuries, still requiring a bit of physiotherapy, and some visible scratches still to heal.

So I lost confidence for time-being in those. I had to find a quick solution and go back to flats but wanted something better than the standard I had previously on bike.

Went to a local bikeshop and saw a nice pair of spinning shoes that had nice soles.
Not too bumpy so the grip is perfect. http://www.artscyclery.com/Giro_Wome...age-GIWWS.html

The tech told me to try these clips.

I did not want to "lock" my feet again. Too traumatized. hihi

Well I did 100km (+/- 60 miles) this past weekends (and other outings prior to that) and never once I lost my footing. I can still push up hills. I can get out very quickly if needed (and it did happen once or twice I had to do an emergency stop. I was glad to have those shoes on.

One day I may (or may simply not) go back to clipless. But for the time being, it serves me very well and I'm confident in those knowing I don't have to think to unclip in the event of an emergency. I have enough controlling my bike, without thinking of shoes. At 51YO, I don't need broken bones or worst.

So you may want to look into this for now and go where your heart and head want to go. Good luck and keep us posted.

Wow! I have never seen toe clips like that. I would have totally used something like that when I first started biking prior to going clipless while road biking. I didn't like toe clips/toe baskets because I was worried about my shoe catching in the toe basket. I wonder if these would work for mountain biking since I am using flat pedals for mountain biking. Hmmmm.

By the way, I just looked up toe clips similar to this one. There are also steel and chrome versions too.

[Helene2013]

I don't know for mountain bike though as I have not tried it on rougher terrains. It has very good grip and your feet stay put in them but never tried them in rain, or "muddy" condition.

Forgot to say I also got flat pedals that are much better too than the "cheaper" standards they'd normally put on your bike. Not too big either for a road bike. I don't know the name/brand but they are much smaller, grip is not over the top but not slippery either. Did not want to scratch my legs with the pedal pins everytime I hit the pedals when coming on/off the bike. I could take a picture though...or check my invoice for the name.

The toe-clips were not expensive. Around $10. These are the exact one. : Evo Double Quick Toe-Clips For ATB/Hybrid Black. No need for straps