Before SPD's....

Bought some 70's nos cycling shoes from the bay

I am trying to remember what my Dad wore in the 80's and I seem to remember the shoes had blocks underneath that somehow worked with toeclips

Can you still get them? And how do they work?

These?

hmm, not sure if they looked exactly the same, but that kind of thing, seemed to be a lump of plastic that seemed to fit different pedals

I might be wrong, it was a while ago

Well those are Shimano 600 clips with plastic cleats. so it was a clip / cleat combo.

probably more like this

Those are shoe plates that fit into the rear plate of the traditional cage pedal. Actually, those shoes aree relatively modern. In the 70s, cycling shoes had leather soles and you had to screw or nail shoe plates directly into the sole.

can you still get hold of shoeplates?

No idea, but I think I've still got a pair somewhere.

you will find them at cycle jumbles or ask JD he must have a pair for sale.

in the olden days we would wear our shoes strapped in on a long enough ride that the top of the plate would make an indentation. this was then used to line up the CLEAT as we nailed it in. this would make a natural line and would pretty much elliminate knee or ankle strains caused if a cleat was a bit out.

see also

http://www.lfgss.com/thread16290.html

cheers

when i get my shoes i will be in touch

exustar make them for modern shoes. i was using some on some old leather shoes for a while and they arent ideal. you have to do the straps up damn tight to avoid accidentally unclipping, which then makes intentionally unclipping really difficult without bending over and loosening the strap.

I've a pair of unused shoe plates I got in a box of bits I bought if anyone wants some.
For anyone who wants traditional cycling shoes these must be the best value going http://www.williamlennon.co.uk/footwear/arturo-wide-fitting-cycle-shoe.html

I will probably take them

I will wait on my shoes to make sure they fit if thats ok

they prob still make them in very small numbers Italy, Yoshida in Japan make them for look 3 bolt shoes.
'slotted cleats' is the correct term I believe
http://www.alexscycle.com/misc-/njs/yoshida-track-cleats-pair-.html
Benscycles also stocks them thru EAI

these are the shoes

5 holes, 2 of which have inserts that slide

Quite nice but fairly modern shoes: the front 3 holes are for Look style cleats and the rear sliding holes are for SPDs.

so they are not going to work with toe clips?

They will if you don't screw anything into them, but I'd be shoving Time cleats on them and going clipless.

The correct term is shoe plates and not cleats and i have some Shimano plastic plates that go onto Look 3 hole type shoes with all the screws etc, if you are interested send me a PM..

I've been using a shoe with a sort of cleat for traditional pedals (not really a plate in this case, the addidas Merckx system, Marxist, but good to have clarification)...

I really like them as I've used them track only, but wouldn't enjoy having to unclip with the straps tightened (you have to loosen them before dismounting) with fixed drivetrain on the road. Fine for freewheel once you get used.

However your shoes, OPer, would suit two better pedal systems, so why not use those?!

Skully...Did you get my pm about Colt saddles?

Many years ago...i was whizzing [well felt like i was whizzing] down Forest Road E17 and coming up to the traffic lights at Wood Street. I had my straps tight which was no problem..well shouldn't have been a problem...just before the lights, lean down and loosen the left strap.....but i for got and yes....got to the lights, they turned red and i fell over and went red,,,no injury except to my pride...took me a few minutes to disengage from the pedal to the amusement and annoyance of motorists.....amusement that a cyclist fell over and annoyance that i blocked they movement when the lights went green.

Without shoe plates.....it is easy to disengage.....just pull your foot back but it is very easy to do that...too easy...so the stap needs to be tight which can be uncomfortable and lead to what happened to me in Forest Road.....here is where shoe plates help.....you no longer need to have the straps uber tight......but you need to lift your foot before pulling backwards because of the plate and the natural movement is to pull backwards only...so you would need to practice a bit and still expect the occasional fall.....because it is easy to panic and forget that you need to lift your foot first.

probably more like this

To find a NOS pair of these shoes is rare....Be easier to find

Can't remember! Been verrry busy...

....got to the lights, they turned red and i fell over and went red,,,no injury except to my pride...took me a few minutes to disengage from the pedal to the amusement and annoyance of motorists.....

Those of us of a certain age will know the feeling and we share your pain.

I also grew up with clips, straps and shoeplates. Couldn't wait to change to clipless once they became affordable.

Those of us of a certain age will know the feeling and we share your pain.

I also grew up with clips, straps and shoeplates. Couldn't wait to change to clipless once they became affordable.

Thank you.....at the time, i remember laughing as it was funny....at the last moment, i realised what i had failed to do and pulled as hard as i could to no avail and over i went.....a couple of years ago....near Cambridge....this time [gets better]....clips and shoe plates....straps uber tight....i was one with the bike.....country lane and a van stopped suddenly.....but this time i managed to have the wit and speed to lean down and loosen the strap...but it was very close.....so easy to be distracted and when the unexpected happens.....i was lucky, it was a country lane, what if it were a busy road in a city centre?.....I've just bought myself, track pedals, double toe clips, double straps, retro leather shoes and i already have some metal shoe plates.......and this thread has reminded me what a potential danger it could be for me.....so i am going to stick with my Sidi Dominators and Time Atacs and sell my brand new pedals, clips, straps and retro shoes......so they will be on here soon......sometimes it is easy to forget the bad bits and idealise the good.....the style etc etc.....live and learn and sometimes live and don't learn......so anyone want brand new Genetic track pedals, double clips , straps and retro English leather shoes.....send me a PM.