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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!harpo!ihnp4!ihu1g!fish
From: fish@ihu1g.UUCP (Bob Fishell)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Need Toe-trap Data
Message-ID: <300@ihu1g.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 20-Apr-84 16:46:14 EST
Article-I.D.: ihu1g.300
Posted: Fri Apr 20 16:46:14 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 21-Apr-84 02:35:37 EST
References: <946@wateng.UUCP>, <2316@cbscc.UUCP> <318@mddc.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 30

(oo)
Toe clips provide a tremendous improvement in pedaling efficiency
and fatigue reduction, and should be added to your bike by all
means!

As to the problem with getting your foot out in emergencies, you
need to learn to pull your foot back rather than try to lift it
off.  Also, it helps to get shoes with a reasonably smooth
surface that won't get caught horizontally.Some enthusiasts
wear special cycling shoes that *prevent* you from being able to
easily pull your foot out without loosening the straps, but I
haven't got the balls for them.  My Nikes work just fine.

It's important to get the right clips for your foot.  Properly installed
clips will position the ball of your foot right over or slightly
ahead of the pivot in the middle of the pedal.  I installed mine by
placing several flat washers as shims between the clips and the pedals
to get the feel just right.  Clips come in several sizes, though, so
you might not need to do this; my size 11 1/2 foot was just a bit too
big for the 'large' size, hence the washers.

I've learned to reach down and loosen the straps when I anticipate
a stop.  I've also gotten real good at slipping my foot right into
the trap on the first stroke pulling away from a stop.  This takes
some practice, but once you've ridden with clips for a while, you'll
wonder how you ever got by without them!
-- 

                               Bob Fishell
                               ihnp4!ihu1g!fish