21 votes

Are modern clipless shoes and pedals that much better than toe clips and straps?

Clipless pedals hold your feet more securely and release easier than toe-straps and clips. As you are probably aware, it is possible to to tighten straps to the point where they must be released ...
Ron Jensen's user avatar
18 votes
Accepted

Are modern clipless shoes and pedals that much better than toe clips and straps?

The simple answer is that 'clipless' pedals and shoes just function better than toe straps. They are easier to get into, easier to get out of, locate the foot more accurately and solidly on the pedal,...
Argenti Apparatus's user avatar
5 votes

Are modern clipless shoes and pedals that much better than toe clips and straps?

For me, a big benefit of cycling with "clipless" pedals is that when I "clip in" to my "clipless" pedals my foot is instantly firmly attached at my ideal pre-set position-- fore/aft, inboard/outboard, ...
KayGee's user avatar
  • 211
4 votes
Accepted

How can I stop the stoker's toeclips hitting the road when soloing a tandem?

In the end, the solution (pointed out elsewhere but also in a comment here) was a cheap set of fabric BMX straps. They can hit the ground with no ill effects, including when there's a stoker who ...
Chris H's user avatar
  • 58.7k
4 votes

How can I stop the stoker's toeclips hitting the road when soloing a tandem?

Two options come to mind. Harness the pedals A pulley, held to the top tube just ahead of the stoker saddle, perhaps by a velcro cable tie. Add a suitably sized length of rope or bungee cord, such ...
Criggie's user avatar
  • 124k
4 votes
Accepted

How to properly thread (textile) pedal straps

Doing it like the first picture shows is definitely not a good idea. The strap should be the other way round with the buckle as close as possible to the pedal's body. Reason 1: it can be tightened by ...
Carel's user avatar
  • 8,289
3 votes

Fixed Gear crank arm slips

Your lock ring is loose. Normally the cog is quite tight from pedaling and you can do some braking with it. When you brake harder it breaks loose and unscrews until it hits the lock ring. This is ...
ojs's user avatar
  • 22k
3 votes

Advice for shorter toe clips

Toe clips come in various lengths, since obviously toe clips sized for a big guy with size 46 shoes (like me) (== US 13) wouldn't work for a petite woman with size 36 shoes (== US women's 6). The toe ...
DavidW's user avatar
  • 5,190
3 votes
Accepted

Moving from toe baskets to clipless pedals and cycling-specific shoes

It is a big commitment - you need shoes and pedals, two of each. If you buy new pedals, there will be some cleats that come with them. If you buy used pedals, there's no guarantee cleats will be ...
Criggie's user avatar
  • 124k
2 votes

How can I stop the stoker's toeclips hitting the road when soloing a tandem?

Similar to Criggie's second suggestion of quick-release pedals, you could use one of those temporary flats (plus a toe strap) that clip onto clipless pedals. On another question, Gary E says he uses a ...
Michael come lately's user avatar
2 votes

How can I stop the stoker's toeclips hitting the road when soloing a tandem?

MTB flat pedal with metal pins (not moulded plastic) Photo as example not purchase suggestion. The pins are adjustable and removable in most pedals and will prevent horizontal sliding and with a ...
Warren Burton's user avatar
2 votes

Advice for shorter toe clips

From the picture it looks like your foot is in the correct place. Foot placement is about getting your foot in the correct place on the pedal - not if it hits the front wheel. Here is how your foot ...
David D's user avatar
  • 21.2k
2 votes

What pedal cage is compatible with size 14 shoe?

There are plenty of strapless clips on Wiggle which come in extra-large. An example is this https://www.wiggle.co.uk/mks-steel-toe-clips/ Top Features: 3 sizes Medium Euro 36-40 Large Euro 40-44 X-...
spikey_richie's user avatar
2 votes

Are modern clipless shoes and pedals that much better than toe clips and straps?

Despite @ump's combative tone, he does back up what he's saying with links to evidence. GCN has also done one or two episodes that mostly debunk the benefits of being locked into your pedals. As far ...
Adam Rice's user avatar
  • 30k
2 votes

Are modern clipless shoes and pedals that much better than toe clips and straps?

Apart from being safer from the clip and toe-strap pedals, the wide use of "clipless" pedals has come from marketing and fashion. You need to buy clipless shoes to be used with clipless pedals; you ...
Mikeš 's user avatar
1 vote
Accepted

Winter foot warmers for toe strap users?

Try to identify shoes that are wind-proof - I've got toe straps on my wet-day bike, and full-on gumboots are surprisingly warm and dry. Regular shoes tend to have ventilation else the feet get a bit ...
Criggie's user avatar
  • 124k
1 vote

Fixed Gear crank arm slips

Late to the party, but I had exactly the same problem. My LBS identified and resolved the problem: the chainring's teeth were worn down so the chain was slipping over the teeth when I applied heavy ...
John Benjamin's user avatar

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