John Pergolizzi wrote: "This equipment was used by World Professional Sprint Champion John Nicholson from Australia back in 1977 ( or was it 76?). He also had his shoes permanently affixed to his pedals."
In the 1970 issue of International Cycle Sport, covering the World Championships at Leicester, accompanying an article by Jock Wadley are a couple of photos showing Nicholson "put on" his bike. He slipped on and laced his shoes while straddling the bike, while someone was holding it for him. The crowd was very amused by this procedure.
Cinelli M71 pedals didn't come out till 1971, so he couldn't have been using them. He must have had pedals made specially for him, I suppose a solid aluminum block around an axle, to which he bolted his shoes?
Mordecai Silver
NYC