Pedals with clips

[CycleVan]

Its worth saying that some pedals are easier to use with clips and straps than others, I'm using these at the moment
http://www.velosolo.co.uk/mksgr9.html
they are very easy to get into, I've come across the odd pair of pedals that are awkward even for me, and I've been using clips and straps for over twenty years.

Thanks. My friend slipped into mine easy as hell yesterday. I've never used them before and I don't think my shoes are the best for them. I'm going to stick with it. Nothing ventured...

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Tow clip pedals are great and I am not just saying that as I have a pair I want to sell

 

[lulubel]

It must be possible to get your feet in the toe clips because they were they only alternative to flats until clipless was introduced, but I certainly couldn't master it. My bike came with toe clips, and I took them off after quite a lot of failed attempts to get my second foot in the cage (and by that time they were very scratched from the number of times I'd had to build up speed with them hanging upside down before trying to flip them over). I intend to go clipless, and my new shoes and pedals will be my reward for shifting this last stubborn stone in weight that's hanging on!

I'll be putting toe clips on my trainer bike when I get it set up, though. At least then I can spend ages peering down and fiddling with the pedal, and even reach down with my hand to turn it over if need be, which would be quite tricky while trying to build up speed on the road!

 

[Bman]

I also had the same problem with cages.

My trainers were too big, they rubbed on the crank arms. In the wet they would squeak on each rotation (very annoying). I only ever managed to get my 2nd foot in the cage, without using my hands, a few times. I was getting used to leaning down to get the cage in the right position. I also scratched up the tops by building up speed with the cages hanging upside-down

Even when in the cages, I didnt want to tighten them too much, so I couldnt get my foot out in an emergency, which meant I couldnt pull up on the pedal like I can with clipless.

Since going clipless I have seen a big speed improvement. From 15.5-16mph to 17mph average on my commute. I can sprint to 35mph (an the flat, without a headwind) now . I couldnt do that in the cages

 

[E11a]

I've been using toe clips for about a year and really like them (although have been thinking about trying clipless).

With one foot in the clip, start cycling using the flat side of the other pedal until you build up a reasonable amount of speed. Move your foot on the flat pedal back so your toe is at the back of the pedal then flip the pedal over and slide your foot into the toe clip.

If you have straps, keep them fairly loose to start with.

It might take a few attempts but my bike doesn't feel right without toe clips anymore.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

It must be possible to get your feet in the toe clips because they were they only alternative to flats until clipless was introduced, but I certainly couldn't master it. My bike came with toe clips, and I took them off after quite a lot of failed attempts to get my second foot in the cage (and by that time they were very scratched from the number of times I'd had to build up speed with them hanging upside down before trying to flip them over). I intend to go clipless, and my new shoes and pedals will be my reward for shifting this last stubborn stone in weight that's hanging on!

I'll be putting toe clips on my trainer bike when I get it set up, though. At least then I can spend ages peering down and fiddling with the pedal, and even reach down with my hand to turn it over if need be, which would be quite tricky while trying to build up speed on the road!

I always put my foot in at low speed, as the pedal speed rises so does the difficulty in getting in the clip, once my foots in then I accelerate.

 

[rowan 46]

I use those mountain bike toe clips on my bike they work for me, mind you its not a fixed wheel

 

[lulubel]

My trainers were too big, they rubbed on the crank arms. In the wet they would squeak on each rotation (very annoying)

This reminds me of a rather embarrassing period of my cycling history. I took my road bike back to the LBS 3 times when I first got it, insisting the bottom bracket wasn't greased properly, and was squeaking. They took it apart 3 times, regreased it, and told me there didn't seem to be anything wrong, but it should be fine now.

After the 3rd time (when I realised what was actually causing it), I avoided the LBS for a couple of months. When I did go in, they asked me about the squeaking, and I managed to cheerfully tell them whatever they did the 3rd time must have fixed it, because it wasn't squeaking any more!

 

[CycleVan]

I've been using toe clips for about a year and really like them (although have been thinking about trying clipless).

With one foot in the clip, start cycling using the flat side of the other pedal until you build up a reasonable amount of speed. Move your foot on the flat pedal back so your toe is at the back of the pedal then flip the pedal over and slide your foot into the toe clip.

If you have straps, keep them fairly loose to start with.

It might take a few attempts but my bike doesn't feel right without toe clips anymore.

I'll give that a go thanks. Is that on a fixie?

 

[CycleVan]

I also had the same problem with cages.

My trainers were too big, they rubbed on the crank arms. In the wet they would squeak on each rotation (very annoying). I only ever managed to get my 2nd foot in the cage, without using my hands, a few times. I was getting used to leaning down to get the cage in the right position. I also scratched up the tops by building up speed with the cages hanging upside-down

Even when in the cages, I didnt want to tighten them too much, so I couldnt get my foot out in an emergency, which meant I couldnt pull up on the pedal like I can with clipless.

Since going clipless I have seen a big speed improvement. From 15.5-16mph to 17mph average on my commute. I can sprint to 35mph (an the flat, without a headwind) now . I couldnt do that in the cages

I'd love to get clipless but I just don't think I can afford them at the minute

 

[david1701]

I'm on clipless on my geared bike and clips and straps on my fixed, I prefer clips and straps, I don't get any advantage from the clipless. Getting the second foot in on clips and straps is just practice, you just need to learn how to do it same as you need to learn to use clipless.

I concour mtfu my 9 year old niece rides with toe clips and has no trouble at all, took her an evening to learn and now never even thinks about it. Need to get her some chrome ones for her new road bike

 

[youngoldbloke]

IMO you have got to use the right shoes! Trainers are a no no. Cycling shoes - smooth stiff sole - much like today's clipless road shoes - were definitely the thing to wear, and if you were really serious you used nail on shoe plates (cleats) as well - then it really was tricky getting your foot out in emergency. Go clipless.

 

[Orange]

It's just practice - I used to have problems but now 9/10 times my second foot goes in straightaway after a push-off with my first.

I do hate having to stop at junctions, red lights etc though.

 

[DS19ER]

Hi im new to all of this.

Need advice on which shoes to buy for Wellgo WPD-804 pedals.

They require proper cycling shoes for both sides of the pedals.

Thanks

 

[Matthames]

I use clips and it does come with practice. I have beaten somebody using a clipless system from a stand still, who also had a 10m head start on me whilst using clips. The action of rolling the pedal over comes second nature after a while.