foot straps

[Coach]

finally bought my kona dew. It came with foot straps on the peddles.
Getting my foot in and out appears to be a nightmare!! possibly as I have
wide feet. Even when my feet are as far as they can go in, my toes don't
slot in to the end, leaving my feet feeling that they aren't fully on the
pedal.
Qs
1 are they really worth all the trouble, just to go around town.
2 would wider pedals make a difference? my partners son has some sets off
his mountain bikes.
3 Anyone used the strapless type - not the clips jobbys racers use - just
plastic

thanks again for all your help

Nick

 

[Rob Morley]

In article <[email protected]>
Coach <[email protected]> wrote:
> finally bought my kona dew. It came with foot straps on the peddles.

Toe straps and pedals.

> Getting my foot in and out appears to be a nightmare!! possibly as I have
> wide feet. Even when my feet are as far as they can go in, my toes don't
> slot in to the end, leaving my feet feeling that they aren't fully on the
> pedal.

Is that because your shoes get caught in the straps or because the front
of the toeclip is too low?

> Qs
> 1 are they really worth all the trouble, just to go around town.

Probably not.

> 2 would wider pedals make a difference? my partners son has some sets off
> his mountain bikes.

Probably not, it's more down to the type of shoes you wear, and how
long/stiff the straps are - longer stiffer straps can make it a lot
easier to get your foot in. To an extent though it's just a question of
practice and confidence.

> 3 Anyone used the strapless type - not the clips jobbys racers use - just
> plastic
>
Try using the existing clips without straps. I currently have ordinary
clips but no straps on my road bike and it's not a problem. It used to
feel weird not being able to strap in, but I've been riding an ATB with
flat pedals for a while so I got used to it. If I ever start riding
proper distances again I'll fit straps again and dig out my cycling
shoes, but for pootling around town in trainers or boots it's probably
better without straps.

 

[Pete Biggs]

Coach wrote:
> finally bought my kona dew. It came with foot straps on the peddles.
> Getting my foot in and out appears to be a nightmare!! possibly as I
> have wide feet. Even when my feet are as far as they can go in, my
> toes don't slot in to the end, leaving my feet feeling that they
> aren't fully on the pedal.
> Qs
> 1 are they really worth all the trouble, just to go around town.

It's worth doing /something/ to prevent your feet slipping off the pedals,
otherwise there's not a great deal of benefit to toe clips for short trips.

> 2 would wider pedals make a difference? my partners son has some sets
> off his mountain bikes.

Maybe, but larger or different toes clips or less bulky shoes are liklely to
help more. Do this flipping trick to get your foot in: Tap the underside
back end of the pedal, then shove your foot in as it spins round. Don't
have the straps tight - no need, unless doing some really serious pedalling.

> 3 Anyone used the strapless type - not the clips jobbys racers use -
> just plastic

I'm sure we all have, but it's not just racers who use clipless jobbies
(pedals that you click* into without toe clips). You can get SPD pedals and
cycling shoes with cleats that are practical for walking as well. They're
easier and more comfortable to use than toe clips, they make your pedalling
more efficient, and stop your feet slipping off too.

* I like eBay's term: "Click Pedals". I've not heard anyone else call them
that, though.

~PB

 

[Peter Fox]

Following on from Coach's message. . .

The bottom line (at the top here) is what matters is the result.

>finally bought my kona dew. It came with foot straps on the peddles.
>Getting my foot in and out appears to be a nightmare!! possibly as I have
>wide feet. Even when my feet are as far as they can go in, my toes don't
>slot in to the end, leaving my feet feeling that they aren't fully on the
>pedal.

From your description it appears that somehow the straps are simply not
wide enough for your feet/shoes. OK, if you unthread the straps does
that 'solve' the positioning problem? Can you get the ball of your foot
over the centre of the pedal? If not then no fiddling will make any
difference.

If your straps are at their full extent and still not long enough to
allow your whopping clod-hoppers to fit on the pedal then they're pretty
much useless as without the strap they don't do much.. On the other
hand, if it is just /tricky/ you can get use to them gently.





>Qs
>1 are they really worth all the trouble, just to go around town.
Yes I think so. It is worth getting used to some form of foot location.
Obviously start with the loosest settings and practice foot-wiggling
before coming to a stop. However some people just don't seem to be able
to get the hang of unshipping feet before stopping!

>2 would wider pedals make a difference? my partners son has some sets off
>his mountain bikes.
Depends what the real problem is. If the straps are physically long
enough then it's pretty much irrelevant.


--
PETER FOX Not the same since the borehole business dried up
[email protected]
2 Tees Close, Witham, Essex.
Gravity beer in Essex <http://www.eminent.demon.co.uk>

 

[Coach]

"Coach" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> finally bought my kona dew. It came with foot straps on the peddles.
> Getting my foot in and out appears to be a nightmare!! possibly as I have
> wide feet. Even when my feet are as far as they can go in, my toes don't
> slot in to the end, leaving my feet feeling that they aren't fully on the
> pedal.
> Qs
> 1 are they really worth all the trouble, just to go around town.
> 2 would wider pedals make a difference? my partners son has some sets off
> his mountain bikes.
> 3 Anyone used the strapless type - not the clips jobbys racers use - just
> plastic
>
> thanks again for all your help
>
> Nick
>
Not sure if I have replied to myself in the correct place....
I can flip them the right way up... its really the fact that in my trainers,
the height at my toes is too big to get my foot to the end of the plastic...
if you know what I mean, that's why I thought about the strapless toe clips

cheers

 

[Simon Brooke]

in message <[email protected]>, Coach
('[email protected]') wrote:

> finally bought my kona dew. It came with foot straps on the peddles.
> Getting my foot in and out appears to be a nightmare!! possibly as I have
> wide feet. Even when my feet are as far as they can go in, my toes don't
> slot in to the end, leaving my feet feeling that they aren't fully on the
> pedal.
> Qs
> 1 are they really worth all the trouble, just to go around town.

No, they're obsolete and dangerous. They were fine when there was no
alternative, but clipless pedal systems of which there are now many are
much easier to use, more effective and safer.

> 2 would wider pedals make a difference? my partners son has some sets off
> his mountain bikes.

No.

> 3 Anyone used the strapless type - not the clips jobbys racers use - just
> plastic

I imagine everyone on this group uses them - certainly the overwhelming
majority. They are quite simply the answer. If you're not racing, or if
you're racing off road, then you probably want the recessed cleat type -
Shimano SPD, Time ATAC, Crank Bros Egg Beaters, Speedplays or something of
that sort.

This is not specialist gear for racers - it's practical and sensible gear
for everyday cyclists.

--
[email protected] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
Wannabe a Web designer?
<URL:http://userfriendly.org/cartoons/archives/97dec/19971206.html>

 

[[email protected]]

> > Qs
> > 1 are they really worth all the trouble, just to go around town.
>
> No, they're obsolete and dangerous. They were fine when there was no
> alternative, but clipless pedal systems of which there are now many are
> much easier to use, more effective and safer.
>
>

Hear hear

clips and straps are out.
I will never again have to reach down to fiddle with my feet while
making a sudden stop, nor perfect the technique of descending sideways
onto the tarmac with my feet stuck in place or land upside down in a
bush still attached to the bike.Hoorah.
Chuck them and get proper spd's or plain pedals or double sided.
TerryJ

 

[Pete Biggs]

Coach wrote:

> I can flip them the right way up... its really the fact that in my
> trainers, the height at my toes is too big to get my foot to the end
> of the plastic... if you know what I mean, that's why I thought about
> the strapless toe clips

I know what you mean and have experienced the same thing myself. (The
flipping trick was just an aside).

Toe clips come in different sizes and shapes. Before resorting to strapless
ones, you might find a pair of toes clips with straps at your local bike
shop (or online) to suit your shoes better. Also consider cutting your
losses and going clipless straight away.

~PB

 

[Ben C]

On 2006-12-09, Simon Brooke <[email protected]> wrote:
> in message <[email protected]>, Coach
> ('[email protected]') wrote:
[snip]
>> 3 Anyone used the strapless type - not the clips jobbys racers use - just
>> plastic
>
> I imagine everyone on this group uses them - certainly the overwhelming
> majority. They are quite simply the answer. If you're not racing, or if
> you're racing off road, then you probably want the recessed cleat type -
> Shimano SPD, Time ATAC, Crank Bros Egg Beaters, Speedplays or something of
> that sort.
>
> This is not specialist gear for racers - it's practical and sensible gear
> for everyday cyclists.

I've not tried these shoes with recessed cleats that are supposed to be
OK both for walking and cycling, but I have two questions: how rigid are
the soles, because a cycling shoe should have quite a rigid sole but a
walking shoe a more flexible one; and how much do they cost, because
shoes that you walk around in a lot wear out quickly.

 

[Pete Biggs]

Ben C wrote:
> I've not tried these shoes with recessed cleats that are supposed to
> be OK both for walking and cycling, but I have two questions: how
> rigid are the soles, because a cycling shoe should have quite a rigid
> sole but a walking shoe a more flexible one;

They're stiffer than trainer soles, but more flexible than more serious
cycling shoe soles. You might find them less than ideal if doing long
distances - either cycling or walking. But they're a good compromise for
average sort of use.

> and how much do they
> cost, because shoes that you walk around in a lot wear out quickly.

From around £30 - some of them with long-lasting chunky soles as well.

~PB

 

[Finlay Mackay]

On 2006-12-09, Simon Brooke <[email protected]> wrote:
> in message <[email protected]>, Coach
> ('[email protected]') wrote:
>
>> 3 Anyone used the strapless type - not the clips jobbys racers use - just
>> plastic
>
> I imagine everyone on this group uses them - certainly the overwhelming
> majority. They are quite simply the answer. If you're not racing, or if
> you're racing off road, then you probably want the recessed cleat type -
> Shimano SPD, Time ATAC, Crank Bros Egg Beaters, Speedplays or something of
> that sort.
>
> This is not specialist gear for racers - it's practical and sensible gear
> for everyday cyclists.

I think the OP means these sort of things:

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Zefal-Zefal-Easy-Clip-Mini-Strapless-Toeclips-Per-pair-3153.htm

(or http://qurl.com/18rrh)

I've found these quite useful for stopping my feet slipping off the
pedals - I commute in normal shoes, and smooth soled shoes in wet
weather can be a problem. You can't pull up on the pedal very effectively
but there is no risk of feet getting stuck. The zefal ones linked to are
ok but I have used other ones which had sharp plastic edges on the
inside edge of the hole at the front which cut my shoe leather.

cheers,

fin

 

[Paul Boyd]

On 09/12/2006 21:49, Simon Brooke said,

> No, they're obsolete and dangerous. They were fine when there was no
> alternative, but clipless pedal systems of which there are now many are
> much easier to use, more effective and safer.

Yup - I was a confirmed straps person for many years, until several
people of this parish (notably Helen wafflycat!) persuaded me of the
benefits of SPDs. Most definitely won't go back to straps now,
especially as I put them on my MTB pending arrival of SPDs, and promptly
fell off sideways. The fact that now I actually prefer flats on my MTB
is neither here no there...

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

 

[Paul Boyd]

On 10/12/2006 09:32, Ben C said,

> I've not tried these shoes with recessed cleats that are supposed to be
> OK both for walking and cycling, but I have two questions: how rigid are
> the soles, because a cycling shoe should have quite a rigid sole but a
> walking shoe a more flexible one; and how much do they cost, because
> shoes that you walk around in a lot wear out quickly.

I have two different pairs of shoes with recessed cleats, and both are
rigid enough for cycling in, but I wouldn't want to walk too far in
them. Then again, I didn't buy them to walk in! The ones I have are
Shimano M031 and Specialized Taho. (The latter don't actually have the
cleats fitted though)

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

 

[Mark Thompson]

> 1 are they really worth all the trouble, just to go around town.

Prolly not. If you have to release the straps before stopping then they're
definately not worth it.

I use clipless pedals when I'm doing hard cycling, where I want the extra
power and speed they give me, plus the reassurance that I won't slip off
the pedals. If I'm cycling hard around town then they're great.

However, if I'm just pootling along then the benefit isn't really there
until I go up a hill.

Straps like wot you have are the same, except that they're a bit annoying
if you've a stop-start ride, and a Bad Idea in areas where you may need to
stop unexpectedly (i.e. in town).

 

[Ben C]

On 2006-12-10, Finlay Mackay <fmackay@claradotcodotyookay> wrote:
[snip]
> I think the OP means these sort of things:
>
> http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Zefal-Zefal-Easy-Clip-Mini-Strapless-Toeclips-Per-pair-3153.htm
>
> (or http://qurl.com/18rrh)

> I've found these quite useful for stopping my feet slipping off the
> pedals - I commute in normal shoes, and smooth soled shoes in wet
> weather can be a problem. You can't pull up on the pedal very
> effectively but there is no risk of feet getting stuck.

Most people don't really pull up on the pedal anyway, except perhaps
when sprinting ferociously. The idea is just to pull up enough on the
upstroke to lift some (about half, maybe a bit more, depends on the
rider) of the weight of that leg. This adds energy to the stroke, but
doesn't require a mechanism for actually pulling on the pedal. What is
required, certainly initially, is something to keep the up-foot in
position since it's floating with less than the full weight of the leg
to keep it on the pedal.

If you ride a lot with clipless pedals, I think you learn quite a smooth
style and can still leg-lift quite a bit if you then ride a bike without
any foot location at all, or with some some fairly minimalist clips.

 

[POHB]

Ben C wrote:
> Most people don't really pull up on the pedal anyway, except perhaps
> when sprinting ferociously.

I ride with SPDs but I don't think I ever pull up, they just make life
easier by stopping my feet slipping around on the pedals over bumps and
potholes. Having gotten used to them I feel kind of insecure without
them, a bit like being in a car with no seat belt.

 

[[email protected]]

Simon Brooke wrote:

> in message <[email protected]>, Coach
> ('[email protected]') wrote:
>
> > finally bought my kona dew. It came with foot straps on the peddles.
> > Getting my foot in and out appears to be a nightmare!! possibly as I have
> > wide feet. Even when my feet are as far as they can go in, my toes don't
> > slot in to the end, leaving my feet feeling that they aren't fully on the
> > pedal.
> > Qs
> > 1 are they really worth all the trouble, just to go around town.
>
> No, they're obsolete and dangerous. They were fine when there was no
> alternative, but clipless pedal systems of which there are now many are
> much easier to use, more effective and safer.

hmmn, I would say they are obsolete and dangerous in the same sense
that cycling is dangerous and helmets are necessary


> > 2 would wider pedals make a difference? my partners son has some sets off
> > his mountain bikes.
>
> No.
>
> > 3 Anyone used the strapless type - not the clips jobbys racers use - just
> > plastic
>
> I imagine everyone on this group uses them - certainly the overwhelming
> majority. They are quite simply the answer. If you're not racing, or if
> you're racing off road, then you probably want the recessed cleat type -
> Shimano SPD, Time ATAC, Crank Bros Egg Beaters, Speedplays or something of
> that sort.
>
> This is not specialist gear for racers - it's practical and sensible gear
> for everyday cyclists.

many everyday cyclists prefer the practicality of not needing
specialist shoes. For them, the question of platform pedal versus toes
clips/straps comes down to personal preference and individual
circumstance. Personally I use all three options in different contexts
and am happy with each.

The OP may get on better with metal toeclips which can be more easily
reformed to match the profile of large shoes than plastic clips

best wishes
james

 

[Peter Clinch]

Simon Brooke wrote:
> in message <[email protected]>, Coach
> ('[email protected]') wrote:

>> 1 are they really worth all the trouble, just to go around town.

<snip>
[clipless]
> I imagine everyone on this group uses them - certainly the overwhelming
> majority. They are quite simply the answer.
<snip>
> This is not specialist gear for racers - it's practical and sensible gear
> for everyday cyclists.

Not just to go around town. Neither Roos nor I use clipless on our hack
bikes for round town, even though the tourers and the MTB and freighter
all sport a set of ATACs. Not worth the faff IME for getting around
town /unless/ you're using one bike for everything and "everything"
includes more sporting use, where the faff of changing pedals all the
time is even more of a faff.

The double sided SPuDs (platform one side, clipless mech the other)
might well be a Cunning Plan on such a machine though.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email protected] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

 

[Phil Cook]

Peter Fox wrote:

>If your straps are at their full extent and still not long enough to
>allow your whopping clod-hoppers to fit on the pedal then they're pretty
>much useless as without the strap they don't do much.. On the other
>hand, if it is just /tricky/ you can get use to them gently.

Toe-clips without straps can be of use. I commuted on a bike with
Lyotard 460 pedals and plastic clips without straps for ages and had
pretty secure foot positioning and pedals I could pull round to
starting postion without having to push them with the top of my foot.
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"

 

[Brian G]

Peter Clinch wrote:

> Not just to go around town. Neither Roos nor I use clipless on our hack
> bikes for round town, even though the tourers and the MTB and freighter
> all sport a set of ATACs. Not worth the faff IME for getting around
> town /unless/ you're using one bike for everything and "everything"
> includes more sporting use, where the faff of changing pedals all the
> time is even more of a faff.
>
> The double sided SPuDs (platform one side, clipless mech the other)
> might well be a Cunning Plan on such a machine though.

I find these to be very much the answer on my most-purpose bike. I can
go out in full cycling kit for runs and use the spd side, or if just
trundling to the shops in trainers I can use the platform side. No
faff, no tools required, just a need to remember not to rely on
mechanical contact when I'm not clipped in.

--
Brian G