Toe clips!

Original post

Hell-On-Wheel

Archived post

4 May 2004, 07:44 UTC #1

Well, I did it. I joined the (according to 'John Foss'
(unicycling.comspecial.htm)) 1% of
unicyclists who use toe clips (that's gotta be a tiny
number). I went to my LBS and got a $15 pair of Bontrager
resin body and steel cage pedals with toe clips and straps.
After about 2 min. of testing them out I decided I was ready
to put them to use and set off on my daily 15 mile loop.

The main reason I got them was that I was tired of
constantly readjusting my feet as they slowly slid down the
pedals. Cleated pedals don't help since, when my feet become
unadjusted (like after hitting a bump), it's difficult to
slide them back without slowing down.

So far they're everything I hoped for. First, and most
obviously, I feel much more secured to my uni. I can
understand how many would view this as a bad thing in the
event of a UPD. However, I find that (with road
unicycling), 90% of my UPD's are caused by nothing more
than a foot slipping off the pedal. I actually feel much
more stable and confident with the toe clips. Also, I'm
forced to keep the ball of my foot on the pedal, allowing
me to utilize my ankles more when climbing hills. I also
feel like I have a lot more control and maneuverability. No
problem idling. I also raised my average speed to 12.5,
compared to usually 10.5-11.

Intentional dismounts are easy, though not as convenient as
my usual method of stepping forward off the uni, straight
into walking. Instead I have to stop with one foot down,
step backwards with my 12'o'clock foot, then remove my
6'o'clock foot and go from there. However, the pedals work
just as well upside down, so for riding around campus I'll
probably just do that.

The only thing that really sucks is the inability to
freemount. Any advice/comments from the other 1%ers? I think
I saw toe clips on one of Hopeful's unis.

--
hell-on-wheel - My karma ran over your dogma

On the other hand, you have different fingers. - Steven Wright
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Johnfoss

Archived post

4 May 2004, 07:45 UTC #2

hell-on-wheel said:
*Well, I did it. I joined the (according to 'John Foss'
(unicycling.comspecial.htm)) 1% of
unicyclists who use toe clips
However, I find that (with road unicycling), 90% of my
UPD's are caused by nothing more than a foot slipping off
the pedal. I actually feel much more stable and confident
with the toe clips. Also, I'm forced to keep the ball of
my foot on the pedal, allowing me to utilize my ankles
more when climbing hills.*

That 1% has got to be a major overestimate. You are in a
very teeny-weenie percentage of a teeny-weenie sport.

I can see how clips (or clipless) would be less scary for
road riding, especially on a familiar route, such as my ride
to work. I have had only a small handful of unplanned
dismounts in many trips to and from the office, and most of
those were at stops and starts. Otherwise I pedal all the
way from one forced stop (traffic light) to the next.

But my feet don't slip around on my pedals. I can adjust
them as I see fit, but they stay in place very well with my
pinned pedals. On a large wheel cycle, especially a Coker, I
think there is less chance of getting tangled up with your
pedals as there is with smaller wheels. So if you don't have
pinned pedals try some out, and possibly a shoe with a
softer bottom if those aren't working for you.

If your feet are *still* slipping it may mean you just
need to work on smoothing out your pedal stroke. Or if not
that, your route may be more bumpy than my mostly paved
one. But I rode several miles on dirt yesterday and didn't
notice a problem with foot placement on the pedals, except
when mounting.

How to mount with toeclips? My advice for the most part
still has to be "don't." Beyond that, I think I'd start on
the open side of the pedal, and carefully try to flip them
one at a time before speeding up. Practice your one
footing skills!

--
johnfoss - Walkin' on the edge

John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone
"jfoss" at "unicycling.com"
www.unicycling.com

"I should be wearing a helmet here -- so should you." -- George Peck,
who prefers not to wear one, in the 1991 video Rough Terrain Unicycling
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Zod

Archived post

4 May 2004, 07:46 UTC #3

I know one of the less than 1%...... hopeful rides with toe clips
(crazyness) 😄

--
zod - Icey Hot Stunta(z)
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