18 March 2009

Half toe clips


I've just fitted a pair of half-toe clips I bought on ebay. I had had the full toe clips before, with straps n' all, but after a couple of almost-comic falls (comic to bystanders - I wasn't laughing!) I gave up. Great while touring, but not for city commuting. So far, so good with half-toe clips - they provide some of the grip while being easy to get out of.


I know some people will say 'but why not just get SPD?'. It's a matter of choice, I suppose - personally, I can't bring myself to the idea. Special shoes, for a start. And although I've seen 'dual' pedals, the whole point is that you have to wear special shoes - not for me! To cap it all, SPD cyclists always seem to prefer to hover on traffic lights - showing that clipping on and off the pedals can't be all that straightforward.

3 comments:

David Hembrow said...

Don't worry about the hovering people. They're just showing off.

For me, it's SPDs or flat pedals. I can get my foot down quickly with either of those, but I never did get along with toe clips, having the same problem getting out of them as you did.

WildNorthlands said...

They hover because they can! The fixed contact between your bike and your feet gives you much tighter control of your bike, as well as increasing efficiency of pedalling. Mind you, I live in Sheffield - plenty of hills...

cocosolis said...

Point taken.

I did 1 year at Sheffield Uni - Lived in Broomhill. Cycling restricted to downhill only - 15' to the train station, 60' back (walking).