RadNomad
Senior Retro Guru
My 1986 Carlton retains it's original SR Sakae SP 250 pedals with toe clips. The rear face of the pedal cage is higher than the front. I remember back in the '80s i had a pair of Diadora shoes with a slot across the bottom into which the rear pedal cage would fit, then with the toe clip straps secured one's feet would be very securely fixed into the pedal. Presumably this was some kind of foot locating standard from the '80s.
I now wish to use flat bottomed shoes - Vittoria 1976 Classics, which are SPD compatible but i will use them as flat shoes to run toe clips for that retro look.
Due to above described characteristics, the shoes will only contact the pedals at the front and rear cage of the pedal, the ball of the foot will not contact the pedal axle or any inner castings between the front and rear cage faces. The shoes have reasonably stiff soles as they are cycling specific shoes but not as stiff as carbon shoes. It seems to me that when cycling i may lose power in flexing the shoe soles rather than transferring that engergy into the pedal axle.
Just wondering whether anyone else had similar experience and noticed any benefit from making changes? Or is it common / normal that shoes only contact the front and rear cages on older pedals?
Sorry can't upload pics, it doesn't work, dunno why.
I now wish to use flat bottomed shoes - Vittoria 1976 Classics, which are SPD compatible but i will use them as flat shoes to run toe clips for that retro look.
Due to above described characteristics, the shoes will only contact the pedals at the front and rear cage of the pedal, the ball of the foot will not contact the pedal axle or any inner castings between the front and rear cage faces. The shoes have reasonably stiff soles as they are cycling specific shoes but not as stiff as carbon shoes. It seems to me that when cycling i may lose power in flexing the shoe soles rather than transferring that engergy into the pedal axle.
Just wondering whether anyone else had similar experience and noticed any benefit from making changes? Or is it common / normal that shoes only contact the front and rear cages on older pedals?
Sorry can't upload pics, it doesn't work, dunno why.