noob questions

Yes, there are - for e.g. http://www.amazon.com/Avenir-Toe-Clip-Strap-Set/dp/B002BVXZFS/ref=pd_sbs_sg_3 come in S/M.

I just said that both men's mediums and men's smalls were too large. Have seen "small" estimated as men's US shoe size 6-7. My size is on the small size of a men's 5, so "S/M" is not going to work.

Also I didn't specify before but I won't put plastic cages on.

Aw, why not?? You make plastic cage sad!!!

Because they look cheap and breakable, and also ugly, that's why. Sorry, plastic!

Maybe look into those sturdy velcro straps that seem to be getting popular?

http://urbanvelo.org/hold-fast-frs-review-straps-for-bmx-pedals/

Those look intersting. Still have some reservations (bmx pedals? $60??) but would consider.

theres a small and medium of these:
http://www.amazon.com/MKS-Steel-Bicycle-Pedal-Clips/dp/B005I6D4EA

I put those exact cages on my last bike, in size small. They worked all right, but like I said, could have been smaller. So basically the answer to my question is: no, nobody makes toe-clips in women's sizes.

Good design and good price, though.

what about reshaping the smalls w/ pliers

prob take more than pliers tho, nm

I just did a bit of googling and stumbled upon these Power Grips toe straps; can anyone tell me about these?

Also laurel maybe look into kids sized ones?

I put those exact cages on my last bike, in size small. They worked all right, but like I said, could have been smaller. So basically the answer to my question is: no, nobody makes toe-clips in women's sizes.

They make them in pink, what more do women want? Them to actually fit?

I've seen simple neoprene straps used for mountain biking, and heard that they had some success for reg street use as well, but mostly (as you can see in this thread) people tend to recommend clipless systems as a way to resolve all problems with toe-clips.

i know some hipster dudes love power grips (feetbelts lol), and they certainly make sense in theory. they've gotten popular enough to spawn a couple other competing brands, at least. never used em though. keep yr eyes peeled for some kid that has em on their bike and ask?

For a city bike, I would recommend either platform pedals or toe clips. Clipless for short city rides seems to be oversolving a simple problem.

Toe clips have there merits but they are far from necessary.

"their" sorry, haven't had coffee yet, remedying that asap.

Toe clips being far from necessary is total BS; they are wonderful in every way!! I mean not just for going up hills or steady inclines but also accelerating from a stop is so much faster w/ clips.

I agree to disagree. I'm much faster from a stop on platforms than I am with clips/clipless.

wow power grips were big in like 1990 didn't know they still made them.

i'd agree w/ shasta only becuz i never seem to get my left foot in the first try, that stumble wasting precious cat 6 seconds

I'm waiting for someone to come up with the stylish work shoe that accepts a look cleat and is still walk able. I will be king of the cat 6ers

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/smsimg/79/1227-3472-full-srt707-79.jpg

come on, it says for formal or casual use right there

thanks, ed! i think mine is 2012! i will have to go look at those bolts. i wonder if the dealer was planning on alerting customers...

Ed will the dromarti sportives not take look cleats?

Ed will the dromarti sportives not take look cleats?

it was a somewhat facetious comment. Most days I don't bother with cleats, commute is PO short right now. Just stand on the eggbeaters.

Maybe I should add this project to the spd compatible high heel e' is on at me to create

a friend uses power grips and loves them. like color anodized components, hipsters have revitalized a once forgotten fad from the 90's. supposedly power grips are easier to get into than toe clips - i've never used either, so i don't know. my preferred urban setup (i have have said this before, so sorry if i'm being redundant) is a crank brothers mallet - cleat for longer rides, regular shoe on the pins for everything else.

I'm curious about the feetbelts, mostly so I could wear a greater variety of shoes.

Struggling to get tyre onto wheel, bought a large screwdriver-like tyre lever for super bonus leverage. Net effect: two inner tubes shredded. Ok, not a question, but I sure feel like a fucking n00b.

Get a tyre bead jack or try a different tyre.

yeah, i mean i managed in the end with 5 (five) different plastic tyre levers, but tyre bead jack look intrestin.

my latest randonneurs were ridic tight, but quickstiks never fail me.

OK guys

So I have been riding for about a week now, getting better. It is super fun but I am not yet very confident on the roads. I am enjoying it but now I hate drivers. Does that make me a real cyclist?

Also my bike is beautiful and awesome but very heavy. And I feel stupid in my helmet, but I wear it.

I am enjoying it but now I hate drivers. Does that make me a real cyclist?

Welcome, friend.

hatin is bad

everyday I'm
http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/ohdeedoh/033109strider.jpg

lol i hate runners! but i find that hilarious because when i run i hate bikes! what it boils down to is that the path i ride on for half my commute is just too popular/congested. last weekend we went for a recreational ride and it was AWFUL trying to ride by groups of 15 ppl out for a leisurely stroll. i totally believe in mixed use trails and that everyone should get to enjoy them... it's just.. hard in reality.

Hating drivers is normal, but it's healthier for all concerned if you can downgrade it to some combination of fearing/suspecting/not trusting drivers.

Why do you feel silly in a helmet?

I find the best thing re cars is to be confident and assertive and polite.

I feel silly in a helmet becuase there are no good helmets. They add this stupid extra bulk to yr head and they don't match the rest of my outfit, which displeases me.

This lady is riding a green version of my bike and she is not wearing a helmet!

http://www.weekendnotes.com/images/bobbin-2.jpg

She seems nice though =)

first result for "fancy bike helmet"

http://www.yakkayshop.com/Navigering/Emnemenu/helmets.aspx

I like that first one, actually. This is the second time in two days that I have been associated with the term "fancy" on ILX. What do you think it means????

Bern helmets are pretty great. It is extremely stupid to compromise yr safety bcz you'll "look dorky" riding your bike.

Having come off my bike a few weeks ago, and had my head bounce (albeit quite softly) off the tarmac, always wear one if you're anywhere near traffic or going to be doing more than about 10mph.

It is extremely stupid to compromise yr safety bcz you'll "look dorky" riding your bike.

^^^otmx10000000000

Oh no, I always ride with a helmet. I'm just super-fussy about my hair.

So yeah I'm riding to and from work now at least half the week. It's about 4-5 miles with some hills and rush hour traffic, takes me around 20-25 minutes. I also work right next to a state park so sometimes for a break at work I go and do a circuit on the bike paths there, it is super fun. My new thing is that I am good at going really really slow now, and I have started to be brave enough to take my hands off of the handles and do things with them.

So what I have been doing now is riding my bike over to this little independent deli at lunch and buying a sandwich and riding the sandwich back to these picnic tables under this bridge and parking my bike and eating the sandwich and reading a book. It feels like the early twentieth century or something!

Also there is a bike shop at work and they have a pump I am going to learn to use.

One thing that confuses me is this

when there are two lanes but I want to take a left turn, how soon can I move into the left lane and what part of that lane should I ride in until I turn, the far left, the far right or the middle?