jimmuller 

This many times over.

The Golden Boy 

When I got my first bike with clips and straps- I asked pretty much the same question- someone said something to the effect of "you'll fall once- then you'll get it." They were right. I fell- but I learned immediately from that fall.

As Jim said- don't bother tightening your straps. "Set 'em and forget 'em." Unless you're a racer and you feel the need to "suffer."

SamSpade1941 

I wasn’t into bikes when toe clips were a thing , after I decided I wanted ride as an adult , trying to ride toe clips was not an inspiring experience especially after my foot coming out of the cage once at a busy intersection.

as a result my daily bike has down hill platforms and my other bikes all have SPD . I tried a couple of other clipless systems and none in my opinion work as well as plain ol SPD

Nemosengineer 

Excellent points have been brought up in this thread about all aspects of clips and straps so I will just add what works for me for a casual shoe. I use Japanese NJS Keirin pedals and straps. the MKS Custom Nuevo pedals are available with a wide cage plate that allows full support across the soft sole of Vans shoes as shown below. A word about fit, I wear a size 9 1/2 shoe and use a size "L" clip this places the ball of my foot directly over the pedal spindle with the toe of my shoe just making contact with the end of the clip.



The MKS Keirin straps are made with two layers of suede leather bonded to a central fabric core that does not stretch at all, very comfortable as there is a piece of leather that pads the buckle so it doesn't bite your foot in soft shoes. The straps are very thick and soft.



This is pro Keirin racing stuff and the cost is about $75.00 a pair used for these pedals through Ebay or https://www.njs-export.com/collections/pedals and almost always comes from Japan.



: Mike

aland2

Shoewise I had good results from what I believed were golf shoes from a charity shop. I did take the studs out first.
Later when I was looking for a replacement on ebay I realised they were actually probably bowling shoes. Same thing with a stiff toecap and compliant side but a stiff sole but half the price.

tkamd73 

MKS toe clips, with Zefal leather straps, combined with indoor soccer shoes, works quite well, if your into the toe clip thing.
Tim

bluesteak 

Probably not the smartest to start out with toe clips when you are old with all the great stuff available now.

however, if you must, make sure your shoes will slide out easily. They should be narrow and relatively smooth on the top and bottom.

here is what I use on my vintage Raleigh.

rumrunn6

you can try them w/o the straps to start. I use mini clips w/o straps on my MTB & hybrid. basically the same thing, with part of the top metal piece cut off. just enough retention for me. (but my road bike uses cleated pedals & shoes, just for fun & the heck of it)

jimmuller 

Didn't your mother ever tell you not to put your shoes on the diningroom table?

AlmostGreenGuy

I've 52 now, and have been using clips and straps all my adult life. I honestly can't imagine not using them. They work so well and are so versatile. The shoes I use for cycling are the venerable Adidas Sambas. Sambas have been made for the last 70 years, and are still a great shoe today. They present a wonderful casual style, and are very comfortable to wear all day long, whether you're out shopping, exercising, working or bike commuting. Such a beautiful and classic aesthetic. Very appropriate for riding C&V. I've done tours in them, commuted in them, and ride casually in them.

The shape of the toe allows the Samba to sit deeply inside of the clip, and easily slide in and out of the clip without getting hung up. No annoying lugs to catch on anything either. The sole is not super-stiff, but plenty stiff enough for me to cycle comfortably all day long. And when I get off the bike, I can walk or run in complete comfort. I have average width feet and love my Sambas. My teenage daughter has wider feet, and loves her Sambas as well. Sambas come in a few different styles, with lots of color options. I personally prefer the Samba OG. It's not quite as stiff as the original Samba, but has a normal length tongue.

67tony 

I have MKS Urban Platform pedals on all my bikes, and use smooth-soled shoes.
With a little practice it is easy to flip the pedal and enter the toe clips, all in one motion.

Straps are only tightened when I'm on a more aggressive ride, otherwise they are loose enough to get in and out without a second thought.

Miradaman

I used them for the very first time just last week at the ripe old age of 51. Saw a used pair online for $5 so bought 'em and put them on my Trek 420, then took a 16 mile ride on a nice temperate day we had here. I thought they were great and quite easy to get out of (getting your feet in is another story...). You just have to remain cognizant of the fact your feet are strapped in when you come to a stop. And yes, I did fall once - I stopped to take a drink of water and only took out my right foot. As I stood there leaning on my right foot drinking my water, I unconsciously shifted my weight to the left, as one does, and since my left foot was still strapped in, I just kept going and hit the pavement hard on my left elbow. Other than that no problems. So my strictly amateur advice would be: wear low-profile shoes, nothing big and clunky, so your feet can come out quickly and easily; practice a few times getting each foot out fast before you start; always be mindful your feet are strapped in when riding; and always take BOTH feet out when stopped...

67tony 

Excellent points!

ironwood

Back when I did use toe clips, I had leather soled cycling shoes with leather cleats, as I recall they were TA. I used Lyotard pedals. After thousands of miles the shoes sort of fell apart, when I was in Germany. I then found a pair of shoes with a molded hard rubber soe that had groves for the pedal. They worked well, but as I mentioned above, I've switched to platforms.

Manny66 

Riders had been using clips and straps for almost 100 years without any major issue. Like everything , there is a learning curve that once you get over it its all a non issue. I rode with straps for many many years and resisted the LOOK pedal change for as long as I could. I now use both systems without a problem.

There are alot of suggestions here, but the bottom line is you will need to use them to get Used to them. Get a set of clips in your size, get a good set of leather straps, preferably with a nylon core (if you can find them) as you want them to retain a circular shape for easy in/out. Initially try your shoes without cleats, but add them later when youre comfortable. The cleats will keep your foot more secure and prevent any unnecessary foot movement. If your a casual rider a pair of touring shoes without cleats will work just fine.

My Avatar photo has me using clips and straps, and that was 1989. They work just fine, the hard part is finding a good pair of shoes that will fit ,they are getting scarce nowadays. Give them a try you wont be dissapointed..

Miele Man

I use toe-clips and straps on most of my bicycles.

Two hints that I give to people who use toe-clips and shoes without cleats.

#1 . Wrap the lower portion of the toe-clip (where the front of the shoe contacts it) with t ape or leather to protect your show from getting worn where the toe-clip contacts it. That wear occurs with metal toe-clips more than with plastic or resin ones.

#2 . If your're wearing shoes with straps-closures; be VERY sure that your toe-clip strap does NOT get caught between those straps on the shoes as t he straps on t he shoes can prevent a quick exit of the foot in an emergency.

I recently bought a pair of MTB shoes suitable for touring because the solesare fairly smooth and there is a bolt-on plate to cover the area where an MTB cleat would fasten. These shoes with the plate look a lot like old-school touring shoes used with toe-clips and straps.





Cheers

Iowa10Speed

Retro toe clip article just posted here: 40 years ago January 1980 bicycling magazine See post #9 .

crank_addict

I use all types of clipless pedals and toe clips as well - road and mountain bike. But since the OP is interested in traditional toe clips, there are many choices. When I do use toe clips, my preference are cycling specific shoes and using cleats. Nylon cleats for aluminum or steel cage pedals and aluminum cleats only for steel cage pedals.

There's much discussion out there of resulting knee problems with cleats and toe clips due lack of float, though solutions exist. Its an area well worth looking into. I can respect those where toe clips is not the answer for vintage sake and where modern clipless make best sense.

I also have a pair of clever designed toe clip straps made in Italy and superior to the classic leather and grip clasp buckle. They were specific to the ATB market before clipless pedals became available. Very well made with robust nylon and steel buckle not unlike used in snow skiing boots. I acquired them in 1991 and expect them to last 50 years.

Using them is easy and convenient. They retain shape and don't flop down like leather, plus the simplicity by precise tension ratchet adjustment is done on the fly- and or one can leave that fave setting after you release. One finger flips the latch open or close.

I've recently seen them available on eBay but warn are rather expensive, more than a nice modern pair of clipless pedals!

Miele Man

Back when toe-clips were common, a lot of bicyclists installed their cleats so that they could move a bit when first being used. then when they got off the bike they'd tighten them up. Another trick was to ride the bike without the cleats installed and then install them by lining up the slot in the cleat with the mark the rear of the pedal cage left on the sole of the shoe.

Cheers

SurferRosa

Or one.

Or, sometimes, if I have something to lean on, none. Just depends.

Bill in VA

I am now 66. I used toe clips since my first '10-speed' bike boom Peugeot UO-8 bike in college. Back then it was Lapize straps and Christophe toe clips. I used them with sneakers and then with Guerciotti cleated leather shoes.

When I got back into riding after retirement, I could not fit into my old shoes so I went to Shimano SPD clipless and shoes. On my second clipless ride an idiot blew a stop sign and I had to brake hard, but could not get the right foot out even with the pedal full loose. My wife said I was reaching down out of habit to loosen the strap while turning my foot. Old habits die hard! I used the clipless for about 3 years and finally decided to return to toe clips. My main reason was not that incident, but more to allow riding in any shoe, especially for quick testing after bike work, or an spur of the moment ride without all the equipment.

I bought MKS Sylvan Next touring pedals that are incredibly smooth with sealed bearings, MKS XL Deep toe clips, and MKS leather Keiran straps as they are a bit longer for wider feet and of great quality and hold their shape. I have wide feet or the MKS Urban Platform would have been my first choice as my old Lyotard platforms were great. The deep toe clips allow me to use my Shimano Shimano SH-GR5 Flat Pedal Shoes for longer rides, and also my Merrell hiking shoes or sneakers. My initial issue was actually finding lace up shoes, as Velcro straps and toeclip straps are an issue waiting to happen. The Shimano shoes are grippy, but allow easy removal, unless the straps are real tight. My only regret is I should have bought the Ezy-Superior version pedals so I could quickly change from clipped to clipless.

I liked the clipless setup I had, but this old school clips and straps with the light and smooth pedal just feels so much more ‘right’ for me. Plus the MKS setup is real old school Japanese quality and engineering.

steelbikeguy

I've got some of those Diadora shoes too, and they are excellent for rides where you will be in and out of the pedals a lot. A bit of a shame that no one is making them anymore.

Steve in Peoria

TriBiker19 

I’m convinced my husband keeps toe clips on his bike just so I don’t steal it. Something about me having four of my own bikes, so why do I always take his...? (He’s probably more peeved that I keep returning it with flat tires—which I fix for the next joyride...)

The Golden Boy 

I put these on last year- I dig them, but I think I dig the old SR SP-11 pedals a little more...

WIPedals2 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr

WIPedals4 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr


SP-11 King2 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr

SP-11 King3 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr

repechage

I fell over once, and only once about two weeks after I bought my first road bike with clips and straps. Adidas tennis shoes, Robert Hallet model. Was cinched in. Fell on the grass adjacent to s driveway. Only my pride scuffed.
when my son got a junior road bike- he slid his foot off the pedal- no clip or strap. I put them on- set up the straps loose. The positive foot placement even this way far outpaced the fear. He did have a Japanese copy of a Campagnolo pedal with the "tooth" to help flip the pedal around.
I feel safer riding With positive renention be it clips and straps or SPD's or "Look" type.
i will admit I have used straps for so long that it is second nature to release the strap on one foot prior to stopping. It is not that hard to learn. The increased efficiency and additional power with little risk are miles ahead.