Cycling UK Forum

As mentioned on another thread, I'm thinking of fitting toe clips to solve the slippery pedal problem.
I can't figure out how to route the straps through the pedal and clip – can anyone point me to a picture or diagram?

Any other toe clip tips appreciated - such as how to get your free foot in in time. The pedals are rat traps, and don't appear to have the the little 'blip thing' (technical term!) that some pedals have to help you flip the pedal into position.

Thanks!
Archy

After touring for years and time trialling for a few, I gave up toe straps. On one bike I have the normal metal toe clips without straps and on my usual tourer I have roomier black plastic mountain bike clips.

I've never fancied clipless pedals as I wear all kinds of shoes on the bike.

Google Images will help here is just one I found , another and another that you may find useful, the first and last pictures show clearly how the strap goes thgrough the buckle, allowing you to pull the strap up when riding to tighten and to push the buckle down to loosen.

Paul Smith
www.bikeplus.co.uk

archy sturmer wrote:As mentioned on another thread, I'm thinking of fitting toe clips to solve the slippery pedal problem.
I can't figure out how to route the straps through the pedal and clip – can anyone point me to a picture or diagram?

Any other toe clip tips appreciated - such as how to get your free foot in in time. The pedals are rat traps, and don't appear to have the the little 'blip thing' (technical term!) that some pedals have to help you flip the pedal into position.

Thanks!
Archy

I wear mine fairly loose and I suppose if you have your feet really tightly strapped in, there might be a problem, but otherwise there really is no problem at all in getting your foot out - you just don't think about it. You simply find that your foot is out and on the ground - very strange. Now getting your foot IN, that is different but after a while pretty well as easy. Are you sure you don't have a twiddly bit to spin the pedal round with?

I have MTB clips on my Hybrid and road bike. I have the strap half in - the side next to the crank; this stops the clip from folding backwards when caught on the ground.

Without the spikey bit found on most pedals, I used to just approach the pedal from the side, using the wide part of my foot to catch the side of the pedal and sort of flick it round to get the foot in. The other alternative is to make the pedal rock with crank motion and get lucky

Being totally inept, and after 25 years of cycling with clips, it usually takes me a couple of goes to get the foot in, however sometimes I surprise myself and don't think about what I am doing - then the foot just seems to find its own way into the pedal.

BenM

If you want a result by by Sunday I would recommend you to try some of the strapless plastic toeclips that are available these days, then you can enjoy your outing without having to worry about having a so-called "clipless moment"!

They're fairly effective at stopping you foot slipping forwards. I can't recall ever having a problem with sideways!. They make the pedal hang front down, and I just drop my toe onto the top corner, press to level the pedal up and slide it in sharpish. Its best not to have very grippy soles for this!

Just be aware that they come in different lengths. I'm not sure if its variation between brands or recognition that feet differ. At the very least I would take a pedal and the shoes I wanted to ride in to "try them on".

DaveP wrote:If you want a result by by Sunday I would recommend you to try some of the strapless plastic toeclips that are available these days, then you can enjoy your outing without having to worry about having a so-called "clipless moment"!

They're fairly effective at stopping you foot slipping forwards. I can't recall ever having a problem with sideways!. They make the pedal hang front down, and I just drop my toe onto the top corner, press to level the pedal up and slide it in sharpish. Its best not to have very grippy soles for this!

Just be aware that they come in different lengths. I'm not sure if its variation between brands or recognition that feet differ. At the very least I would take a pedal and the shoes I wanted to ride in to "try them on".

Agreed. We use "Zefal toe clips":

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... ct=m005418
The size is important. I thought mine would be fine for my wife, but she just looked & shook her head. So I ordered the small size (she's size 4 shoe) & they're fine. Very robust too, as I've bashed them many times on the canal towpath.

HTH

Thanks (belatedly) for all your suggestions.
I didn't get to do the Sunday ride as the weekend was taken over by tasks.
I'm now looking at clips and hope to give them a go at the weekend, provided I have time enough to try them out at leisure.
Thanks,
Archy

If you do go for clips, be aware that they also have sizes (er, small, medium, large is about it, I think ), so try to get the closest.


You were also talking about getting shoes with better grip, and I think that's not a bad idea in any case, even with clips & straps.
I found that trainers didn't work too well with clips as they can get caught up in the usually long laces. (I tend to use pretty stout lace-up street shoes, and this does not seem to present the same problem).
(I tend to prefer proper leather shoes to fabric trainers anyway).

I wear my straps very loose actually, only really using the clips I suppose, but if I do have them a bit tighter, then to release them, you reach down and ease back the spring-loaded buckle that the strap threads into.

I can remember having the same problem working out how to thread the straps in that you asked about...


I don't consciously use the twiddly bit. I just put the toe end of my shoe on to the peddle and sort of ease it back until it's at the right angle, and slide it in.
I sometimes need two or three goes, especially if I have an audience...

I wouldn't say it's never a problem getting out. I did once come to grief on ice and felt I was a bit worse off with the clips/straps than I would have been without them, i.e. could have got free and made a cleaner landing than I did. I don't know about SPDs. Never tried them, but the thought of needing special shoes (of a design I probably wouldn't like-too trainerish), plus the stories of knee issues, put me off. (I know they have become more adjustable now, so maybe it's not a problem any more, but it just put me off). I've never worn old-fashioned cleats, and never fancied them much either!



Regards,
M.

There is a tendency for the strap to slip round as you pull on the end to tighten it. It can be a good idea to put two full twists in as it passes between the two sides of the body under your foot. This makes it difficult for the strap to move.

drossall wrote:There is a tendency for the strap to slip round as you pull on the end to tighten it. It can be a good idea to put two full twists in as it passes between the two sides of the body under your foot. This makes it difficult for the strap to move.

I absolutely agree as a confirmed clips and straps man as I am constantly in different shoes when riding, the twist (full 180 degrees) is essential to stop rotation and shorten the strap slightly

Don't forget to check that there is enough room to fit toe clips on your bike. If you have limited clearance, when you turn the handlebars you could find the front wheel hitting your foot. This shouldn't happen with a modern bike built to the current safety standards, but well may if you have an older or non massed produced cycle, our 80's Claude Butler tandem is a case in point. It's not the end of the world but you just have to think about it on steep climbs when you are sawing at the bars.
On the twiddly bit front, you could screw, bolt or rivet a piece of alloy to the back of your pedals to spin them. Years ago you could by a bolt on lug for this purpose, I don't know if any of the web based firms sell them but your LBS may have a pair languishing in the back.