A pair of toe clipped pedals may look useless to some, antiquated to others. This is a special pair to me and they have never been ridden. In 1988 I was 16 years old and wanted to race bicycles like my sporting hero, Greg LeMond. I devoured print magazines like VeloNews and Bicyling. That spring and summer I worked hard at $3.35 per hour, and at the end of the summer had the money to buy my first true racing bike. It was a Panasonic DX-5000 with full Shimano 600, including pedals. These are those pedals. At that time clipless pedals were becoming mainstream, and like LeMond I had to have a pair of Looks. These were taken off by the bike shop, put in the box, and would not see the light of day for 30 years when my mother sent me some boxes. There they were. Just like I left them.
I am 51 now. I am still a passionate cyclist but haven’t raced since I was 40. I just ride for riding’s sake. I doubt that I will ever ride with these. I will likely sell them for someone else to enjoy, but for a little bit they have brought back memories of the time in my life where I found a passion.
by JasonIsFishing
6 Comments
I really enjoyed reading that. At some point, with luck, you’ll get to use them in an authentic build. Maybe on a Lemond frame 😁
I have a pair of DuraAce BR7402 brake calipers that have been with me for the last 35 years, waiting for the money for an vintage build
I had those pedals. The sound of the metal scraping the concrete when you miss flicking your feet in is ingrained in my soul. I can hear it now, 35 years later.
That’s a great story but honestly, you made the right move leaving them in the box. Those pedals were kind of a pain to use.
no denying it, i just clicked thru the pics bc those are beautiful. eek hang onto those.
Fun! I still have my old Campy Record pedals with Alfredo Binda straps from ‘86 and my Time Pedals from 1988. I had some Looks between those two but I think I sold them.
That’s awesome. I still use toe clips on my ‘85 Somec (with tubulars!) tho it’s just a commuter. Such a great connected feeling with the bike. Those are pristine. You shud get some cash from the eroica folks for those. Safe riding!