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I found what I believe to be the perfect winter bicycling shoe, a Merrell waterproof and insulated boot. More about these in a later edition of Talking Bicycling. My problem now was how to keep my feet attached to the pedal. I tried a few times last winter riding without straps or cleated shoes and found this to be unsafe for me.

So my dilemma was that the boots would not fit into a normal toe clip and I couldn't install cleats of any kind on the sole. That is when I looked at Power Grips. I had never used them other than a similar product on an indoor exercise bike at the gym. So I thought that they might work and ordered my first pair.

I ordered them in the early fall so that I could try them before winter hit. Mounting them was easy and I first tried them with a pair of non cleated bicycling shoes. I discovered that they worked exceptionally well. They proved easier than toe clips to slide into for me. A major added bonus was that I did not have the front of the toe clips pressing on my toes. Getting out of them was easy and they secured my foot to the pedals very well.

Then I tried my boots, the straps were not long enough. So I went to their web site and discovered that the straps come in different lengths. So I ordered the XL straps and found that they were more than sufficient for my boots. Problem solved.

I now have put the smaller set of straps on another bike that I use to commute with when there is not snow on the ground. I like the ability to wear any shoes with these straps and that they secure my feet as well as toe clips do. Plus I don't have the pain from toe clips pressing down on the top of my toes.

I would recommend these to anyone who wants their feet secure on the pedals, but also want the versatility of wearing any shoe when riding the bike.

For more information visit their site at: http://powergrips.com/

They are available at most local bike shops, if not available at your shop you can order directly from Power Grips online.