Advice please. Toe clips with or without straps or half clips?

[Katherine]

Hi, I'm asking the commuters because I think you will have the most experience.
I need new pedals and whilst looking I see there are a range of toe clips.
So, toe clips with or without straps or half clips?
My old pedals have clips with straps that I never tighten.
Are resin or leather coated clips better for your shoes?
My present clips leave scratches on my shoes.
Thanks.

I asked about pedals in a thread in Components and have been recommended to look at Wellgo retro pedals by @raleighnut .

 

[classic33]

Do you feel comfortable using the toe clips & strap setup you are using at present?
If yes, why not just replace your current setup with newer versions. Using plastic as opposed to metal clips myself & never had a problem with them. The half clips I've seen tend to be metal only, which may not help the shoe scratching problem.
What about separate footwear for use on the bike.

 

[John the Canuck]

i have used these before -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-1-2-...sure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item41817bee9e
.

 

[welsh dragon]

They sell very similar ones to the ones above at amazon for unde £4.00. Dont know how good they are though, but amazon do have a wide choice to choose from.

 

[RebornBumbler]

Yes, resin (or leather-covered) clips will effectively stop the damage to your shoes.

I doubt the 'half-clips' will give you the stability you want, even though you don't have the straps tight (I don't have them particularly tight either).

 

[Katherine]

Do you feel comfortable using the toe clips & strap setup you are using at present?
If yes, why not just replace your current setup with newer versions. Using plastic as opposed to metal clips myself & never had a problem with them. The half clips I've seen tend to be metal only, which may not help the shoe scratching problem.
What about separate footwear for use on the bike.

I always use the same shoes, they don't have vents so keep my feet a bit dryer, they're scuffed and the right shoe is quite oily! It would be nice to wear other shoes. It's only 2 miles to work but I still carry clean shoes in my backpack.

 

[classic33]

Right shoe may be making contact with the chain/chainring if its oily.
A spacer may help, but that would bring its own problems.
Is the oil around the area where the strap is by any chance?

 

[Katherine]

The oil is all along the inside. The strap on the toe clip is a bit oily, but it falls to the left when my foot's not in it.
How do you insert a photo?

 

[djb1971]

To stop the strap from moving, twist it where it goes through the pedal a couple of turns. Keep them tight and twisting stops mine from moving.

 

[Katherine]