About MKS toeclips for road cycling- I am lost!
#1
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About MKS toeclips for road cycling- I am lost!
I finally decided I want to try toeclips, at last. I dismount too many times during a trip for clipless and dedicated shoes to make sense anymore. I started with Looks, then SPDs for many many years while my type of trip evolved, and now I spend as much time on foot than on the bicycle.
But I am lost on which toeclips to try. MKS simply makes too many. Pedals will be GR-10 or Urban Platforms for sure. Also the pedals will be used with trainers, so it seems I need the "Deep" versions? (at least it seems so reading MKS website)
Anyone with a decent experience can tell me pros and cons of:
Thanks for any input!
But I am lost on which toeclips to try. MKS simply makes too many. Pedals will be GR-10 or Urban Platforms for sure. Also the pedals will be used with trainers, so it seems I need the "Deep" versions? (at least it seems so reading MKS website)
Anyone with a decent experience can tell me pros and cons of:
- half clips vs full clips?
- standard clips vs wire cages? (didn't even know they had a wire cage option)
- what about sizes? (I am size US 10.5/11 so I think I fall under either M or L?)
Thanks for any input!
#2
South Carolina Ed
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You might do better posting this in the Classic and Vintage sub-forum https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/
#3
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If you put your foot down a bunch, I would think toe clips would be exponentially worse than SPD. With toe clips you have to constantly fiddle over where the clip is, make sure you dont step on top and bend it, make sure it is loose but still tight, etc. Sliding a running shoe into toe clips over and over again is less elegant than just having SPD and double sides pedals where you put your fool on top of the pedal and press down as you pedal forward.
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Adidas Velosamba is pretty much a casual fitness shoe, with SPD cleat. It's a comfy and somewhat fashionable Samba with the cleat option.
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I put something like these on my commuter bike with flat pedals. They don't break or bend. I used work shoes or tennis shoes.
https://www.amazon.com/Just-Joy-Peda...s%2C251&sr=8-4
https://www.amazon.com/Just-Joy-Peda...s%2C251&sr=8-4
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These are my favorites and I have them on three bikes. There are cheaper ones but I like the bling factor of these. I personally like the double gate as it's wider and easier to slide your feet in and out.
Soma Oppy X Double Gate Toe Clips
Also these cheap leather straps seem to be holding up well. I was skeptical but I've had a couple sets of these for a few years. I little classier than the nylon ones.
Fenix Leather Pedal Toe Bike Straps
Soma Oppy X Double Gate Toe Clips
Also these cheap leather straps seem to be holding up well. I was skeptical but I've had a couple sets of these for a few years. I little classier than the nylon ones.
Fenix Leather Pedal Toe Bike Straps
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If you put your foot down a bunch, I would think toe clips would be exponentially worse than SPD. With toe clips you have to constantly fiddle over where the clip is, make sure you dont step on top and bend it, make sure it is loose but still tight, etc. Sliding a running shoe into toe clips over and over again is less elegant than just having SPD and double sides pedals where you put your fool on top of the pedal and press down as you pedal forward.
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#11
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And don't be ashamed to just ride plain flat pedals if your cadence isn't so fast that your feet are flying off the pedals.
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What shoes do you wear for riding?
Standard toeclips are designed for use with traditional cycling shoes, which have a fairly shallow toe-box. If you use modern cycling shoes or street shoes, you may find that standard toeclips are not tall enough to easily fit your shoes. There are taller toeclips for MTB use that may be more appropriate.
Re: length of the toeclip. American feet tend to be larger than European or Asian feet, so it's generally safer to opt for a longer clip if your shoe size is borderline between two lengths.
Standard toeclips are designed for use with traditional cycling shoes, which have a fairly shallow toe-box. If you use modern cycling shoes or street shoes, you may find that standard toeclips are not tall enough to easily fit your shoes. There are taller toeclips for MTB use that may be more appropriate.
Re: length of the toeclip. American feet tend to be larger than European or Asian feet, so it's generally safer to opt for a longer clip if your shoe size is borderline between two lengths.
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In real life, you don't need to "constantly fiddle" with anything (assuming they're installed right and you're using them correctly), and if you're stepping on top and bending them, you just need more practice. I have them on all my bikes, as well as my wife's, and it's just second nature. Very easy and hassle free. The only time I have to adjust the straps is when I change riding shoes, which only happens every few years. We ride in walking shoes.
I have size 13 wide feet. I used Christophe LL clips and I would bend and reshape them so they didn't put pressure on the top of my feet. I also toe-out so I would re drill the clips and pedal bodies to get the clip as far outside as I could. I also had to bend down the little bump on the outside of the pedal body or when using MTB style pedals I would grind them flat on a grinding wheel.
Starting on a hill or a technical dirt section you can definitely step on the clip or drag it on the ground. If I snug the strap my feet get numb. This is my biggest problem with clips and straps, especially in cold weather. I've stopped the bike and my feet were so numb I couldn't walk. I've had more falls from tight straps than I ever had with clipless.
Using SPD mountain bike pedals with walkable shoes is so much better than clips in every way except for the ability to use any shoes with clips. I've used clips and straps with touring shoes, mtb shoes made for clips, and hard plastic soled road shoes with cleats and even without cleats. I cannot imagine a scenario where I would be inclined to ever use them again.
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#14
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What shoes do you wear for riding?
Standard toeclips are designed for use with traditional cycling shoes, which have a fairly shallow toe-box. If you use modern cycling shoes or street shoes, you may find that standard toeclips are not tall enough to easily fit your shoes. There are taller toeclips for MTB use that may be more appropriate.
Re: length of the toeclip. American feet tend to be larger than European or Asian feet, so it's generally safer to opt for a longer clip if your shoe size is borderline between two lengths.
Standard toeclips are designed for use with traditional cycling shoes, which have a fairly shallow toe-box. If you use modern cycling shoes or street shoes, you may find that standard toeclips are not tall enough to easily fit your shoes. There are taller toeclips for MTB use that may be more appropriate.
Re: length of the toeclip. American feet tend to be larger than European or Asian feet, so it's generally safer to opt for a longer clip if your shoe size is borderline between two lengths.
So I'm going towards low profile trainers, and of course, being Italian, they will be Supergas. I already took for granted that I need the "Deep" version of MKS toeclips (whatever model I choose).
Last edited by gigadeath; 08-19-22 at 10:16 AM.
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#16
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(I'm also wondering whether to get "deep" clips at all, as Supergas have pretty low profile as far as trainers go)
With XL clips I fear I'd feel the foot stand too much forward...
#17
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In real life, you don't need to "constantly fiddle" with anything (assuming they're installed right and you're using them correctly), and if you're stepping on top and bending them, you just need more practice. I have them on all my bikes, as well as my wife's, and it's just second nature. Very easy and hassle free. The only time I have to adjust the straps is when I change riding shoes, which only happens every few years. We ride in walking shoes.
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They are a solution to an issue which does not exist. There is just no need for toeclips. If SPD doesnt work for someone then they can ride in running shoes and a wide platform instead of toeclips. You keep doing you- you have a strong streak of enjoying the road less traveled, even when it doesnt make sense. Thats funny for me to say since I too often follow that road. But toeclips with running shoes or whatever 'regular' shoe the OP uses?...nope, that isnt a benefit. Toeclips will not add power, not add speed, not add safety, and not add to the experience.
#19
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They are a solution to an issue which does not exist. There is just no need for toeclips. If SPD doesnt work for someone then they can ride in running shoes and a wide platform instead of toeclips. You keep doing you- you have a strong streak of enjoying the road less traveled, even when it doesnt make sense. Thats funny for me to say since I too often follow that road. But toeclips with running shoes or whatever 'regular' shoe the OP uses?...nope, that isnt a benefit. Toeclips will not add power, not add speed, not add safety, and not add to the experience.
Thank you for understanding
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Those look pretty good but I don't know how sturdy the sole is. You can also find similar shoes from Afton, Five-Ten, and even Vans.
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Size 10 1/2 feet here. Been using toeclips with cycling shoes and cleats forever and with leather dress type (steel shanked) shoes even longer. Christophe L or Japanese XL for a traditional under-the-ball pedal placement. Don't bother with Japanese L. If I am wrong, the penalty for too long is not big, Just don't jam your foot in hard. And many of us prefer our feet not jammed in hard anyway. (Exception - if you have shoe-tire/fender overlap.)
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They are a solution to an issue which does not exist. There is just no need for toeclips. If SPD doesnt work for someone then they can ride in running shoes and a wide platform instead of toeclips. You keep doing you- you have a strong streak of enjoying the road less traveled, even when it doesnt make sense. Thats funny for me to say since I too often follow that road. But toeclips with running shoes or whatever 'regular' shoe the OP uses?...nope, that isnt a benefit. Toeclips will not add power, not add speed, not add safety, and not add to the experience.
They keep the ball of your foot over the spindle where it should be (so of course there is added power), and also provide a huge safety benefit compared to open platform pedals by keeping your feet from slipping off, which often results in a crash. I personally don't tighten the straps down, so it allows some "float" while still keeping my feet solidly on the pedals. And, I can ride in whatever shoes I want to. My current riding shoes are Sketchers.
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#23
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I've been riding XT flats with the shallow pins on my commuter for some time now and its been great. I can use normal sneakers or mtb shoes, I can get on/off the bike and walk, don't have to clip in/out at every intersection, etc. And Ive had no slipping, at all.
Decades ago I had some full clip pedals. I found them both fiddly and uncomfortable. Had to be loose enough to get in and out, but not loose enough to be pointless. The pedal itself was clearly designed with a stiff bike shoe in mind and using them with sneakers quickly created hotspots from the pedal digging + the clip scuffed the nose of the shoes. I'm betting the pedal pictured in #4 would do the same.
That said, the Urban platforms with leather wrapped 1/2 clips do look nice. I'm tempted myself.
Decades ago I had some full clip pedals. I found them both fiddly and uncomfortable. Had to be loose enough to get in and out, but not loose enough to be pointless. The pedal itself was clearly designed with a stiff bike shoe in mind and using them with sneakers quickly created hotspots from the pedal digging + the clip scuffed the nose of the shoes. I'm betting the pedal pictured in #4 would do the same.
That said, the Urban platforms with leather wrapped 1/2 clips do look nice. I'm tempted myself.
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I've been riding XT flats with the shallow pins on my commuter for some time now and its been great. I can use normal sneakers or mtb shoes, I can get on/off the bike and walk, don't have to clip in/out at every intersection, etc. And Ive had no slipping, at all.
Decades ago I had some full clip pedals. I found them both fiddly and uncomfortable. Had to be loose enough to get in and out, but not loose enough to be pointless. The pedal itself was clearly designed with a stiff bike shoe in mind and using them with sneakers quickly created hotspots from the pedal digging + the clip scuffed the nose of the shoes. I'm betting the pedal pictured in #4 would do the same.
That said, the Urban platforms with leather wrapped 1/2 clips do look nice. I'm tempted myself.
Decades ago I had some full clip pedals. I found them both fiddly and uncomfortable. Had to be loose enough to get in and out, but not loose enough to be pointless. The pedal itself was clearly designed with a stiff bike shoe in mind and using them with sneakers quickly created hotspots from the pedal digging + the clip scuffed the nose of the shoes. I'm betting the pedal pictured in #4 would do the same.
That said, the Urban platforms with leather wrapped 1/2 clips do look nice. I'm tempted myself.
MKS GR-10 Platform Pedals
Last edited by Jeff Neese; 08-20-22 at 06:51 AM.
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