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@DFP
I think was the other way round, vans and similar shoes been around since the sixties.
DX was and still is the Shimano line of bmx racing products. I imagine it was introduced in the 80's when skateboard & bmx kids were already wearing Vans.
In terms of riding the flat pedals, you really are missing more than half the joy of riding a fixed wheel. Dont get me wrong flat pedalled fixed bikes can be good in their own right, I have a path racer style bike with flats. Also experimented with flats on my more sporty 80's raleigh fixed. You can fool about riding backwards circles and doing edwardian circus tricks. But it never feels "right" going at speed. Plus id say it only feels 40% as efficent as riding with clips.
Once you get up to speed, with flats you have to keep pushing to keep good contact with the pedals. And your never in true "control" and *harmony *with the road that fix-nuts talk about.
I seem to remember you mentioning riding freewheel though? (excuse me if im mistaken) but still, being clipped in gives you full control of your positive pedalling motion at least. Having the FULL cycle of upstroke & down stroke with your legs gives you a harmonious "cadence" too (first time ive used that word) so much more power, so much less fatigue.
Plus you ride a track bike!
Each to their own, but I think your missing out on a lot.