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Pedals
In 1990, Shimano's new mountain pedal system, Shimano Pedaling Dynamics, completely changed how people connected with their bikes. Prior to SPD, most people strapped their street shoes to their bikes using metal cages and leather straps. They relied on toe straps to keep them bound to their bikes even throughout a crash. Stop signs were tricky and remounting required strap fiddling while pedaling. Even today, toe straps continue to be used by some sprinters and track racers to reliably stay attached.
Now we have a half a dozen “clipless” systems, with their own families of special cleats, pedals and shoes. What was special about Shimano's SPD system was that for the first time you could use “normal” shoes, which you would need when pushing or carrying your bike uphill, or when simply walking to and from the bike. Once again, mountain bikes helped bring cycling to the people.
Toe straps on a mountain bike.
1983 Cunningham Indian, vintagemtbworkshop 1)
ca. 1912, Philippe Thys, three time Tour de France winner, trusting his toe clips on a brake less fixie.