The straps on your bicycle pedals are part of the toe clips--pieces of plastic or metal that form a box, or "cage," around your foot on the pedal. This system, especially when combined with the adjustable straps, increases your pedaling efficiency by keeping your foot connected to the pedal during the complete crank rotation. An increasingly popular alternative is the clipless pedal, which connects with a cleat on the rider's shoe. Nevertheless, some riders, especially beginners and cycling traditionalists, prefer regular platform pedals with no cleats or toe clips. The late cycling author Ken Kifer recommended toe clips with or without straps, rather than cleats, due to their ease of use.
Step 1
Find the buckle for the toe clip strap. This is usually on the side of the strap above the pedal.
Step 2
Unbuckle the strap and pull the long end out of the pedal. The strap may be twisted inside the pedal and not pull out all the way; if so, reach into the gaps in the pedal body and straighten it.
Step 3
Pull on the strap end attached to the buckle to slide the strap out of the toe clip completely. If you want to remove the entire toe clip, this is unnecessary. Instead, use an Allen wrench or screwdriver, as needed, to unscrew the bolts from the pedal on the underside of the toe clip body.
Step 4
Repeat Steps 1 through 3 for the other pedal.
Tips and Warnings
- Removing your own toe clip straps but retaining the toe clip body approximates the style of strapless or "half" toe clips. These toe clips have no attachment for toe clip straps, and have a shorter or half-size top as a result. As a result, strapless toe clips hold your feet less securely, but are much easier to get your feet into and out of. A stiff-soled shoe is best for riding with toe clips, whether or not you use the straps, according to Bicycle South, a Georgia bike shop. Stiff shoes keep your feet from trying to curl around the pedal body and getting tired or strained.
Things You'll Need
- Allen wrenches, 4 to 6 mm sizes
- Philips screwdriver
Member Comments