Toe Clips kiss of death!

[Kevin McCaughey]

Hi,

I am new to any kind of toe clips etc. I just bought a bike with toe clips for the first time and I am having a hell of a time. Yesterday I fell over at a junction as I could not get out of them (embarrassing, but also dangerous). Every time I start riding with one foot in, it takes me multiple attempts to get the other foot in and looking down at this I get distracted and find I am weaving all over the road.

Basically I just cannot get into this at all and am wondering does it get any easier or should I just do away with the clips?

Here is the bike, and thanks in advance for any advice:

http://goo.gl/gwbv4W

 

[ColinJ]

Hi Kevin - welcome to CycleChat!

I had a similar problem with the clips on my first bike. I replaced the original clips/pedals with SPD pedals and found them much more convenient. The chances are that you would have a few teething problems with SPDs too (most people fail to unclip properly at least once or twice before they get the hang of it) but you soon learn how to clip in and out.

Top SPD tip: adjust the release tensions to a minimum (make sure to do both sides of both pedals!) to make using them easier. You can always tighten them later once you get used to them, though I never bothered tightening mine.

 

[PK99]

Hi Kevin - welcome to CycleChat!

I had a similar problem with the clips on my first bike. I replaced the original clips/pedals with SPD pedals and found them much more convenient. The chances are that you would have a few teething problems with SPDs too (most people fail to unclip properly at least once or twice before they get the hang of it) but you soon learn how to clip in and out.

Top SPD tip: adjust the release tensions to a minimum (make sure to do both sides of both pedals!) to make using them easier. You can always tighten them later once you get used to them, though I never bothered tightening mine.

Top tip #2: Get multi release cleats - secure for pedalling but easy release

Also: Toe clips used properly are designed to be loosened when getting off the bike, and tightened on setting off - most clip users never do that, simply leaving the strap in a semi loose position ie not tight enough to be properly effective, not loose enough to get into easily. Best thing i ever did was ditching the clips and going to SPDs

 

[ColinJ]

Top tip #2: Get multi release cleats - secure for pedalling but easy release

I thought about buying them when I first started using SPDs, but TBH I have got used to standard cleats so I never bothered.

 

[PK99]

I thought about buying them when I first started using SPDs, but TBH I have got used to standard cleats so I never bothered.

I got some without intending to when my LBS fitted them to some new shoes, found them great to use.

For new users, i think they would reduce the learning curve.

 

[Biker Joe]

I used standard toe clips for years. It's what I was brought up with and what I was used to.
Last year I changed to SPDs and have not regretted it.. I would never change back to toe clips.

 

[Venod]

"Top SPD tip: adjust the release tensions to a minimum (make sure to do both sides of both pedals!) to make using them easier."

Good advice from ColinJ, notice how he said do both sides, (like me he must use double sided pedals) my advice would be get double sided mountain bike/touring pedals very easy to use with both sides to clip into and the shoes have recessed cleats so easy to walk in, road single sided are also easy to use but sometimes you have to flip the pedal to clip in, it becomes easy with use but not as easy as double sided, plus road shoes don't have recessed cleats so can be more awkward to walk in. Whatever you choose I am sure you will never go back to toe clips and straps.

 

[Sara_H]

Hi,

I am new to any kind of toe clips etc. I just bought a bike with toe clips for the first time and I am having a hell of a time. Yesterday I fell over at a junction as I could not get out of them (embarrassing, but also dangerous). Every time I start riding with one foot in, it takes me multiple attempts to get the other foot in and looking down at this I get distracted and find I am weaving all over the road.

Basically I just cannot get into this at all and am wondering does it get any easier or should I just do away with the clips?

Here is the bike, and thanks in advance for any advice:

http://goo.gl/gwbv4W

Stabilisers?




Sorry, I haven't any useful advice, I've never used toe clips, I'm sure I'd have exactly the same problems as you Kevin. Good luck with it though!

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Like Biker Joe, I grew up on toe clips. I'm sure that most of us that did will all have found ourselves in a situation which we want to get out of quickly and don't manage to get in the clips first time. Whenever that happened to me, I'd simply ride with the pedal upside down until things were more relaxed. (This also applies with clipless systems too.)

If you're generally happy with toe-clips but are just having trouble getting into them, there are some pedals which have a little lip on which makes it easier to flip the pedal round to the right position for a quick insertion.

Otherwise, there's a wide range of SPD style pedals - one sided, two sided, bigger platforms, etc - to choose from. And I believe some Aldi stores will have SPD shoes in their upcoming cycling offer.

 

[michaelcycle]

If you really want to cover the bases get a combination pedal with a multi release cleat.

You can use it with normal shoes as well and release your foot from either direction.

 

[Crackle]

Bikes these days are often supplied with cheap plastic pedals and toe clips, most manufacturers expect you to replace them and they seem to be there as a token gesture. If that's what you've got, whether you stay with toe clips or go for clipped pedals, replace the existing quickly and take the advice above.

 

[HLaB]

I changed to SPD's from Toe Clips too I find the latter a lot more inconistent. With toe clips I almost always remembered to clip out but my foot would ocassionally get stuck, spds are the same movement and force each time.

 

[Kevin McCaughey]

Thanks for the advice so far! From what I see you need special shoes as well as the pedals. This is going to be quite an investment then as cycling shoes are about £50+ and pedals around £35+.

Are road SPD's all one sided and the MTB ones also come as double sided? There is quite a confusing array of setups! I think I will have to go in to Halfords and look around before I buy. I usually just get stuff online, but this seems like a choice I will be stuck with.

Is it tricky to flip one sided pedals to clip in? At the moment trying to flip these monstrous toe clip pedals I have is really hard.

 

[Born2die]

I'm off together a coffee this outta be good

Ok I will be more helpful. I had that bike last year as my 1st good 1st bike naff pedals I had the same troubles as you always looking down never getting my feet in etc pain in the rear end.

Look at wiggle etc for spd or spd's the difference is spd you can walk in as the cleats are recessed spd's are more road orientated but I use spd and can go 30/40 miles no problems I feel more confident on the bike comfier etc it will be a great decision.

You can take the pedals and shoes between bikes so it's a sound investment you won't regret making .

 

[Born2die]

Spd's are one sided spd come as double sided or one side flats so you can ride in normal shoes one side spd but IMHO are a pain in the ass as you have to look down to see which side you want.

I got shoes and pedals in the Evans sale for £100 for both though the other day I rode 30 miles no problem pulled up at home in clipped left side to stop leaned to the right bu---r it also be aware as you unclip coming to a junction rest your shoe on top of the pedal and it quietly clips back in (go on ask me how I know )