Not all cycling shoes are for 'clipless'. You could get shoes that are much stiffer-soled than your converse, you'll find them a lot better if you do stay with clips and straps. That alone would probably be an improvement on your pedalling.
When riding fixed, it's well-nigh impossible to tighten and loosen straps once you;re rolling, which is what you;re meant to do with Clips and straps ... i.e. with a freewheel: put right foot in, standing, tighten. Start rolling, put left foot in, tighten. When you stop, you have to then loosen them again.
Whilst with clipless riding fixed it means you're secure in the pedal as soon as you click in to the pedal. This means great control of the forces of pedalling (and leg-braking, skidding, trackstanding at lights). So when/if you can, give SPD/Time clipless a go if you can afford to shell out for the kit: Shoes, and new pedals & cleats. Like this lot^ are saying, they're bloody loads better than Clips & straps. I never thought I'd say it, but I spent a few years just fighting the inevitable.
My only moan about clipless shoes is that mine (Sidi dominators) are really very chilly. They're made of some leatherette stuff, and I'm freezing. I usually do not really feel the cold at all, and up to this autumn I've been riding with clips and straps with various leather shoes (some flat cycling shoes, some stiff-soled trainers) and NEVER got cold feet before. So choose your shoes carefully. I'd like to try some touring shoes like the Exustar touring shoes... they're leather.
To the original post:
yes
Not all cycling shoes are for 'clipless'. You could get shoes that are much stiffer-soled than your converse, you'll find them a lot better if you do stay with clips and straps. That alone would probably be an improvement on your pedalling.
When riding fixed, it's well-nigh impossible to tighten and loosen straps once you;re rolling, which is what you;re meant to do with Clips and straps ... i.e. with a freewheel: put right foot in, standing, tighten. Start rolling, put left foot in, tighten. When you stop, you have to then loosen them again.
Whilst with clipless riding fixed it means you're secure in the pedal as soon as you click in to the pedal. This means great control of the forces of pedalling (and leg-braking, skidding, trackstanding at lights). So when/if you can, give SPD/Time clipless a go if you can afford to shell out for the kit: Shoes, and new pedals & cleats. Like this lot^ are saying, they're bloody loads better than Clips & straps. I never thought I'd say it, but I spent a few years just fighting the inevitable.
My only moan about clipless shoes is that mine (Sidi dominators) are really very chilly. They're made of some leatherette stuff, and I'm freezing. I usually do not really feel the cold at all, and up to this autumn I've been riding with clips and straps with various leather shoes (some flat cycling shoes, some stiff-soled trainers) and NEVER got cold feet before. So choose your shoes carefully. I'd like to try some touring shoes like the Exustar touring shoes... they're leather.