Toe clips? Clipless? None of the above?

[etsisk]

This is probably swatting a hornets' nest, but what the heck, right?

What do y'all use, pedal-wise? I recently did a short 160 mile ride (sort of a 5 day "intro to touring" self-seminar - went pretty good!). When I got to where we went to visit a friend, and I was ready to start the ride back home, I realized I forgot my shoes (I was riding clipless at the time). So we went and bought a set of platform pedals and toe clips and I went from there. I kind of like having the toe clips - easy getting my foot out, which I have to do quickly sometimes with the loaded bike (yeah, I'm new to loaded-bike-wrangling).

What do you folks do, and why?

[staehpj1]

Personal preference rules on this topic but here are my thoughts.  Remember that your preferences and read on this may well be entirely different.

Toe clips and straps aren't much use unless you tighten the straps at which point they become harder to get out of and less comfortable than clip-less.  I was very quick to make the switch away from clips and straps way back when they first became more commonly available and was glad I did.

Those little half clips with no straps manage to have many of the dis-advanatges of clips and straps with no real advantage at all as far as I can tell.  They seem like a complete waste of effort to me.  Some folks seem to love them.  I don't get why, but if they are happy all is well.

Going with just platforms is fine for casual riding and short hops around town, but even then I miss having a retention system.

The bottom line is that you should use what works for you though.  Folks have successfully tour on all of those options and others as well.

[DaveB]

Another vote for clipless at all times but with the caveat that i use double sided MTB-type pedals (Shimano PD-M515 and PD-M780 in my case) and recessed cleat MTB or Touring style shoes.  I can safely put a foot down at stops, clip in without having to flip the pedal over and walk adequately in the shoes. 

[etsisk]

DaveB, I have a pair of those on my mtb that I'm thinking about putting onto my touring bike. Just a thought at the moment...

[DaveB]

DaveB, I have a pair of those on my mtb that I'm thinking about putting onto my touring bike. Just a thought at the moment...

As the old ad used to say; "try it, you'll like it."  I expect the great majority of touring bike use MTB-type clipless pedals.

[John Nelson]

I use MTB shoes with SPD cleats/pedals. I see absolutely no downside to it.

[mbattisti]

I use both mtb and touring shoes interchangeably on my clipless pedals, but prefer NOT to use the mtb shoes when touring so I don't track in dirt and mud into diners, bathrooms, warmshower's living rooms, etc.  Most mtb shoes have a pretty serious tread pattern.

[etsisk]

Agreed about the tread pattern and mud - I usually take the shoes off when I go into someone's home that is hosting me. Restaurants, not so much.

[Miller]

I've ridden clipless and adjusted to them but I never really like the feel. I feel safer on platforms for those rare times when you have to get a foot down very quickly. I've been completely happy with BMX platforms with skate shoes. I find this combination very comfortable and it reduces the need for camp shoes.

[etsisk]

what are skate shoes??

[milestonerides]

I personally like touring in platforms. Especially with Keen sandals. The sandals are stiff so that they don't flex as much as skate shoes like Vans which hurt over time for me. I can quickly get off my bike and go on a hike or just a walk down to the creek to waddle in water. My Keens gives me versatility to do that without bringing another pair of shoes along. If it gets cold, I put on wool socks. If it rains I usually wear no socks or have wool socks along with some waterproof socks to stay dry. It's usually a futile exercise as my sweat would soak my feet. 

I've toured with clipless pedals and mountain bike pedals and cleats. They hurt my ankle and it's tough to hike with when I am pushing my bike around. YMMV.

[Miller]

what are skate shoes??

Canvas vans type shoes...

[DaveB]

Agreed about the tread pattern and mud - I usually take the shoes off when I go into someone's home that is hosting me. Restaurants, not so much.

Shimano's "Touring" shoes reduce that problem since the soles are basically flat except for the cleat pocket so there are no lugs to trap mud.  Even then you don't want to walk on someones hardwood or polished tile floor as the cleats do make mild contact with the ground.

[etsisk]

I think I'd prefer mud over marring. They do make clip covers, though. Then you'd have the "I'm walking with a big lump on the bottom of my shoe" problem.

[Pat Lamb]

I use both mtb and touring shoes interchangeably on my clipless pedals, but prefer NOT to use the mtb shoes when touring so I don't track in dirt and mud into diners, bathrooms, warmshower's living rooms, etc.  Most mtb shoes have a pretty serious tread pattern.

I have more of a mud problem commuting (in winter, half my yard turns to mud) than touring.  The overwhelming majority of my touring time is on the bike, on pavement, in a store or diner, or on concrete sidewalks -- not much to pick up mud from.