which shoes?

[dobber]

sounds like the double sided pedals,cleats on one side and flat on the other are the ones i'm going to get so i have the option of both

 

[e-rider]

toe clips and straps are going to be better than simple flat pedals; but you will need some shoes that 'work' with the clips and straps.

Better still would be clipless pedals with matching shoes with cleats if you're going to do some moderately serious cycling over reasonable distances (20+ miles)

I stopped using toe clips on my 'everyday' bike becasue some of my shoes wouldn't fit in them, but others were fine. Simple falt pedals seemed to be a better option becasue I only ride to the shops and back, and I didn't have to worry about wearing any particular pair of shoes. However, cycling with the toe clips was much better if wearing the right shoes.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

toe clips and straps are going to be better than simple flat pedals; but you will need some shoes that 'work' with the clips and straps.

Better still would be clipless pedals with matching shoes with cleats if you're going to do some moderately serious cycling over reasonable distances (20+ miles)

I stopped using toe clips on my 'everyday' bike becasue some of my shoes wouldn't fit in them, but others were fine. Simple falt pedals seemed to be a better option becasue I only ride to the shops and back, and I didn't have to worry about wearing any particular pair of shoes. However, cycling with the toe clips was much better if wearing the right shoes.

I find that most shoes work with clips and straps, for work I use them with steel toe capped boots, for general running about I use them with trainers and for long distance I use them with cycle shoes. They work well for distance, I don't have any trouble doing fifty plus miles with them.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

i do 150 to 200 miles per week commuting using flats and what ever shoes i need, weatherwise. tbh i don't think it matters being fastened to the bike, not at my low level non competing cycling.

 

[dobber]

I find that most shoes work with clips and straps, for work I use them with steel toe capped boots, for general running about I use them with trainers and for long distance I use them with cycle shoes. They work well for distance, I don't have any trouble doing fifty plus miles with them.

how easy is it go get your feet out of clips and straps i.e. stopping and starting?

 

[youngoldbloke]

how easy is it go get your feet out of clips and straps i.e. stopping and starting?

No easier than using clipless. Maybe more difficult. Toe clips and straps hang downwards so you have to flip the pedal up so as to push your shoe in. For the set up to be most efficient you then need to tighten the strap, which involves reaching down each side. Then of course you will need to loosen your straps before stopping, reaching down and flicking the quick release buckle. Of course you can ride with the straps loose in a stop and go situation. The development of clipless pedals was definitely progress. Just a thought - have you tried a spinning bike at your local gym - they usually have clips and straps.

 

[dobber]

where can i get a look at those 'half cups' ?

 

[Deleted member 1258]

how easy is it go get your feet out of clips and straps i.e. stopping and starting?

I run them with the straps only just tight enough. They are tight enough so I can pull up if I want, must remember to keep my toes pointing slightly up to avoid pulling out, but not that tight I need to loosen them to get a foot out. They usually need adjusting about once a month.Toe clips vary as to how easy they are to get in, I find them easier than clipless, though I have just got some new pedals with clips and straps and have had to remove the reflector on the back of the left pedal as it was making it difficult to get my foot in, like clipless it eventually becomes second nature.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I got the stainless steel strapless clips from www.velosolo.co.uk/shoppedals.html They're called MKS 'Half' Toe Clips and they do a standard size for cycling shoes and trainers, and a deeper version for chunkier footwear (or chunkier feet I suppose).

The plastic half cups came from my LBS and were much cheaper but don't look as nice. They still work well though.

- must say that if you are set on getting toeclips that is a pretty comprehensive selection! Not that many years ago when I was still using them (but before fixed bikes became trendy), it was hard to find a LBS that kept straps in stock.

 

[dobber]

are the shoes with the cleats very easy to walk in? i can imagine it's hard work getting to the bike!

 

[adscrim]

road shoes with cleats take a bit of practice but you can still get about (I still run up the stairs at work in road shoes and look cleats). mtb shoes recess the cleat so that the sole touches the ground making them no different to a normal shoe (although a stiffer obviously).

 

[youngoldbloke]

You'll get a lot more choice with SPD pedals and cleats (2 hole). Many of the shoes have quite deep soles so that the cleat is recessed and you can walk more or less normally. Pure road shoes with SPD/SL or Look (3 hole) cleats are much more difficult to walk in as the cleats stand proud of the sole. They can also be quite treacherous on smooth surfaces. It also means the cleats wear out rapidly, and they can be stupidly expensive.

 

[dobber]

so road shoes with two holes in the sole are easier to walk in,can you recommend any shoes youngoldbloke?

 

[dobber]

just been looking at some spd touring shoes and they have 2 holes and are recessed for the cleats

 

[youngoldbloke]

I'm going to leave that to someone better qualified to answer - I'm using Look Keos myself at the moment - but when my shoes need replacing I will change to the a520 pedals or similar, as I know a lot of people using them on road bikes - including my son who commutes using SPDs, but trains on Look Keos.