[CR] why do you use "feet belts"?

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Cinelli)

Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:07:51 -0500
From: "Steve Kurt" <kurtsj@mtco.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <mailman.1270.1256506645.72377.classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
In-Reply-To:
Subject: [CR] why do you use "feet belts"?


hi gang,

It was a typical fall morning... overcast and windy. Still, it was a good day to be out on the road with friends, and even better because I was on my '81 Raleigh Team bike. Full team colors, Campy SR bits, and I was wearing a vintage wool Raleigh team jersey. What could be nicer?

One of the fellows in the group was obviously a new rider, as he was not too stable in the paceline. Despite him being old enough to have lived through the '70's bike boom, I was surprised and confused when he asked "why do you use feet belts?".

"Feet belts?", I asked? "Those things with the toe clips", he replied. "oh... they're appropriate for the bike's age, and they work just fine" was all I could say.

Well, I do enjoy introducing folks into vintage bikes and hardware, and letting them know that these bikes are certainly good enough for non-competitive rides. It's not often that I run into people my age who are so unfamiliar with them, though. :-)

hope you all had a nice ride this weekend too,

Steve Kurt
Peoria, IL, USA