Toe clips, straps, cleats etc.. | The Public House

Toe clips, straps, cleats etc..

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9:34 pm
Jun 29, 2010

Duchy Wheeler

Cornwall. UK

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posts 395

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Post edited 9:37 pm — Jun 29, 2010 by Duchy Wheeler

Good evening one and all,

I would appreciate some practical comments on whether it’s worth fitting any of these items to the Guv’nor?

I’ve read some rather negative reviews about the Brooks clips/straps! I do like the look of the MKS deep leather covered half clips, they enable the foot to be removed quickly. I’m not a seasoned cyclist so I’m concerned about strapping my feet in too closely.

Do any of you fellows have any experiences, thoughts, recommendations on this topic?

Safe riding, Geoff.

12:58 pm
Jun 30, 2010

Ian Martin

Darwin, Australia

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posts 12

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Geoff,

I guess the first question would be to ask why you want to clip in? If you intend to ride the bike competetively then there is some advantage to strapping in, but are you intending to do that or commute or just use the Guv as a weekend runabout?

The use of clipless pedals or clips is a hotly debated topic and sure to bring forth strongly held beliefs either way, but I personally don’t find any great benefit to clipping-in as I commute and don’t race. I did run clipless pedals on my commuter for quite a few years, but when I ditched them I didn’t notice any loss of speed or security and actually found I’m more comfortable as I can move my feet around on the pedals during my ride (15 miles each way). The one thing to remember with clips and straps is that they can be difficult to get used to and so most beginners end up not tightening the straps which entirely negates the purpose of them as a pedal system.

Cheers for now,

Ian

3:31 pm
Jun 30, 2010

The Cycling Photographer

Moderator

posts 407

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Couldn’t agree more. I do have SPD double sided pedals offering clipped or without,

purely as I have always ridden with them. However, as my former third wife experienced,

for those not used to them, stopping at junctions, traffic lights and stopping to chat

to someone can be quite eventful!

Stay with your standard pedals on the Guvnor.

Ride on!

8:48 pm
Jun 30, 2010

Adam

Manchester, England

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posts 399

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Post edited 11:23 pm — Jul 1, 2010 by Adam

Good Evening Mr Wheeler and Gentlemen,

I shall add my two-penneth worth to the conversation, first of all Mr Wheeler, if you have never ridden modern quick release pedals or toe clips and straps you will fail to un-clip at some point and unfortunatly you will fall off, usually in front of an audience. I have used quick release for many years before getting the Guv and using toe-clips and straps and I did fall off at a set of traffic lights, fortunately not on the Guv.

I made the choice of using toe clips mainly because I’ve always ridden “clipped-in” and like being “held onto the bike”. For me the positive points are:

The look sits well with the Guv in a way that modern pedals can not

I can still wear “normal” none cleated shoes, this is not very comfortable with normal quick release pedals

If I’m on a ride I can tighten the straps and use them as intended.

The main downside for me is:

Lack of “float”, modern pedals allow a degree of movement from side to side and as such are more comfortable, clips and cleats hold your foot in one position.

For information I’m using Brooks toe-clips and straps, I originally was using large chromed MKS ones (that turned out to be the same size as the medium Brooks).

If you are interested in experimenting I can dig them out and post them on.

Regards,

Adam

4:48 pm
Jul 1, 2010

Duchy Wheeler

Cornwall. UK

Regular

posts 395

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One and all.….….……thank you for your observations, I value your comments. The general consensus appears to be that a novice cyclist, such as myself, would be safer staying with open pedals.

I have received today a set of MKS Sylvan ‘Touring’ Rat Trap pedals, which I anticipate will offer more ‘float’/comfort on the larger platform and also overcome the gear cable clipping problem I have had, see Forum — ‘Three Speed Operating Cable’ — posts and photo supplied by Ian, comparing the ‘Touring’ and ‘Stream’ pedals.

Safe riding, Geoff.

10:10 pm
Jul 1, 2010

jmkd

Admin

posts 114

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Good evening, I think Mr Martin asks the right questions here.

If you boil the advantages down to speed or efficiency, you’d be left with an unsightly gruel, one must ask if the Guvnor is the right charge for these goals.

Saying that, I know Mr Adam rides far across moor and mount, and on such many-furlonged voyages these advantages must have a cumulative affect.

Time for an extra half before closing, or the legs for another céilidh would be most welcome.

By the way, wonderful picture Mr Photographer. How do you get these models of yours to pose just so?

9:18 pm
Jul 2, 2010

Andrew

Regular

posts 55

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I have ‘dual purpose’ pedals on mine. On one side they have SPD brackets for cleats. I use these side when wearing cycling shoes and cycling ‘with a purpose’.

The other side of each pedal is ‘normal’ for use when pootling around whilst wearing normal footwear.

For me…they’re perfect !

11:20 am
Mar 30, 2011

Rich Senior

New Forest

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posts 111

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Could anybody recommend a particular variety of ‘dual purpose’ SPD pedals for a Guv? I would like pedals that fit with the Guv aesthetics if possible.

Personally I do like SPD pedals, but I did have three particularly embarrassing accidents when I first got them. Stopping at traffic lights, before remembering I was clipped in… So, probably not recommended to a novice SPD’er and especially on a Guv!

8:33 pm
Mar 30, 2011

Andrew

Regular

posts 55

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Hi Dick

Mine are these ones http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shimano-.….2560c4f3b4

In my opinion they are the perfect solution as per my coments above. They also suit the Guv in thath they are chrome as er the originals and the SPD elements are hard to notice.