How to Use Toe Clips

Using toe clips on your pedals can make you a more efficient rider.

Using toe clips or clipless pedals on your bike can make your biking more efficient, let you use different leg muscles to provide a more balanced workout for your legs, and give you a smoother, easier ride overall. They can help give you more control when you cycle and make it easier to climb hills. Toe clips can take a little getting used to, but after a while, using them will become second nature and will help you get more out of your pedals.

Things You'll Need

• Bike
• Toe clips
• Helmet

Instructions

1. Adjust the toe clips on each pedal so they are a little loose around your feet. This will make it easier to slip your feet out as you become accustomed to riding with them.

2. Wear shoes that can slide easily in and out of the toe clip baskets. This can be running shoes, flat shoes and other simple shoe styles. Watch out for anything on the shoes that can catch on the straps of the toe clips.

3. Get on the bike and put your feet in the clips, one at a time. You might find it easier to lean up against a wall, pole or fence at first and then push off when both feet are in the clips.

4. Practice biking on a low-traffic street, or in an empty parking lot. Try pedallng at various speeds and then braking--you want to get comfortable removing your feet from the clips when you come to a sudden stop.

References

• Montreal Gazette: In Defense of Toe Clips
• Southernmost Foot and Ankle Specialists: Cycling And Your Feet