[CR]Now: Toe clips & straps Was: Calling Aldo Ross...

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2004)

From: Donald Gillies <gillies@cs.ubc.ca>
Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 20:51:14 -0700 (PDT)
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Now: Toe clips & straps Was: Calling Aldo Ross...

Remember, the bike cannot really come with toe-clips pre-installed, because foot size can vary quite a lot. My dad's feet were fully 2 sizes larger than mine, even though we are the same height.

It's possible that for a given size of frameset, 2 or even 3 different sizes of toe clips might be appropriate.

In my opinion, most toe clips were added as "extras" by bike shops. And, most "serious" bicyclists bought toe clips right away, even for commuting, as I did in 1973/4 ( once I got Eugene Sloan's book .)

The 800-pound gorilla of toe clips was Christophe. I think that just about ANY 1960's or 1970's french or english bike with "Christophe Special" (old logo, all on a single line, surrounded by a box kinda like campy brake levers), is period correct. Lapize and I think AFA are also related or a brand name from the same company - can anyone clarify ??

An italian bike might have other toe clips. Campagnolo clips were NOT common and I don't think they made clips until 1976 or later (they waited to invent a little useless spike that goes inside the pedal cage..) I'll defer to the many Italian-o-philes as to what is correct for an Italian toe clip, although i think alfredo binda straps are the gold standard when it comes to Italian straps ...

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA