Clipless Pedals

[beefcake]

I am into XC riding, and up till now I have always used platform pedals. When I got my new bike (Kona Kula Deluxe) a couple of months ago, I decided to start using shoes and cleats, everyone seems to think they are a lot better. I have been using them for a few weeks now, and I am still getting the shakes and getting scared everytime there is a bit of rocky stuff to ride over:eek: . I have come off once or twice, but got back on straight away. I would like to know how everyone else feels when they are 'locked in'. Is their a way I can overcome my fear of being locked in, and start tackling more technical stuff?? I dont really want to go back to platform pedals.

Cheers.

[Regan]

I was exactly the same when I started using clips.... I crashed HEAPS! I was really scared and found I rode most of the time clipped out! But after a while you just don't notice them and your feet just come out before you can even think!

Stick with it mate, it's really worth it! ;)

[R33F]

Regan's on the money there.
Just stick with it. It's totally worth it. You will crash a bit at first, but after that you dont even think about it. Just keep your mind on whats ahead, not your feet. ;)

[Mo]

crashed once when i first tried em.
never fell off. it has to be the best investment a biker does to his bike.
efficiency wise think you have all the power you need now.
there is push and pull now. no more just pushing.

plus a few tricks are done a bit easier as well.

[Cúl-Báire]

Getting the balls back, is as simple as just doodling around for a while, figure eights, up the gutter, down the gutter, down the stairs, up the stairs... A wheelie here or there followed by a manual.

It will help with your troubles, and prefect your ballance, and be rid of your fear of falling... We have all fall off from time to time, but soon you'll be used to the clips, and wont think twice about bombing that tech section, it's great fun! Try to keep your mind off it it- it's no harder with flats- if anything it's much, much easier!

[Drizz]

I have clipless on my old hardtail. I stack (Slow speed) a few times, but other wise ok. I do suggest getting some pads if you are getting sick of losing skins.

Now I am on my trail bike I am using platforms again, mainly because I find I am riding harder stuffs on my new bike, (Oxford Fall/Red hill vs Manly Dam) but also because I am lazy and can't be bother swapping it out for clipless after the bike shop put the flats on.:p

I will go back to clipless at some stage, not before I learn how to bunnyhop on flats. I reckon its important to get the skills and techniques right before swapping to clipless.

My 0.02 cents.....

Cúl-Báire: You might just inspired me to go back to my clipless.:)

[JohnJohn]

I'm a very, very long-time clipless user (since the first beta-grade SPDs Shimano sent out to magazine testers in something 1988 or 89) but it seems to me that if you're comfortable with platform pedls, and they allow you to have fun, why not stick with them.

Back in the day, the alternatives were SPDs or clips and straps - BMX was going through one of its periodic busts and good platforms pretty much didn't exist. But now you have a staggering range of choice of good, grippy platforms and shoes that work well with them. If that's what works for you, then forcing yourself to change because of someone else's idea of what's 'better', and putting yourself through the ringer to do so, seems a shade pointless. It's about riding and having fun, after all.

That said, my observation is that SPD newbies will have a few 'SPD accidents'. These can be mitigated by backing off the release tension all the way to make it as easy as possible to get out of the pedals. When you're used to the system, tighten up as far as you need to.

[reallydave]

Hi. Once you get used to clipless pedals, you don't have to think about it. I personally like them because they're more efficient. These days, I'm more of a commuter due to family commitments taking up most of my time.
A couple of tips if you decide to go clipless.
Start off with lower tension in the pedals.
Practice clipping in and out lots of time (I did this in the hallway using the wall for support),
Make sure that the cleats are adjusted/positioned properly for you.
You can also get some platform type pedals with with clipless built in so you can choose whether or not you want to go clipless.
Cheers
Dave

[Rat]

Yeah stick with it dude, clip in ALL the time, get rid of any option but to be clipped in.

I went from very confident rider with 20yrs plus riding experience, to nervous noob lying on the ground at the traffic lights :D

It was certainly strange to feel fear again, and I thought it was taking me too long to get used to them.

But after a few races and 4 prangs I'm now confident on them.

I would not go back to flats for XC, racing or recreational.

[Cúl-Báire]

I wouldn't even go back to flats for Downhill racing. I love clipless pedals, they really do allow you to be more efficient, and you have a more direct link between you and the bike- meaning more control.

As JohnJohn mentioned back teh release tension off- I forgot to mention this in my post :p It helps with the learning.

[barefootbushman]

SPD all the way. They are the best. It only takes a couple of rides to get use to them. I actually feel more comfortable in them as i know my feet arn't gonna come off the pedals while going down big downhills. Just teach yourself to automatically unclip before you stop.

[scratchy]

Just stop thinking.

Easier for some, but you're only crashing because you're freaking yourself out. You didn't crash there with flats did you? Also most people don't realise that most SPDs come wound in about 1/3 the way in the tension. First thing you should do is wind it right back so it's super loose.

Flats Vs Spds for general trail riding is like comparing Fully rigid Vs Suspension forks IMHO.

[Oddjob]

What kind of SPDs do you have?

I found when I got my SPD's that it helped alot just to commute with them and keep running through my head that I had to unclip. After about a week it just started coming naturally, and I would automatically unclip. The key was to rack up the time and just get into the habit.

[Bodin]

My experience with trying to teach my girlfriend to ride with clipless pedals has indicated to me that some are more "learner-friendly" than others. If you haven't tried Time pedals, then consider them, because my girl couldn't come to terms with the Shimano crap that came stock with her bike (515s?), but adjusted to Time Aliums almost instantly.

[Mtb_Endo]

Do yourself a favour and get an eggbeater based clipless pedal, i use the mallet C's. If you are a weight weenie then i think the Mallet M's are slighlt larger, or if you would prefer no platform at all then there are the straigh eggbeaters that even come in a triple Ti extra $$$ edition :)

Much better then the shimano SPD offerings... Mud clears out, no adjustments, lots of float...

I am the same as a lot of the others, cant ride with out them... I cant even do a piddly log jump unclipped with out it feeling all wrong.

Persist with them, you will come over to the dark side eventually :)

[Bodin]

OK - I'll first point out that I'm biased because I prefer Time, but despite my bias, I do still feel the need to point out a common misconception about the Eggbeater mechanism:

It is not similar to Time.

Yes, the cleat is similar in that it clips into two bars and allows similar levels of float, but the bars on the Eggbeaters are physically linked to other "sides" of the pedals and can be activated into opening by hitting the bottom of the pedals on rock, etc... This can't happen with Time, as the top bars are independant from the other side of the pedal.

It is a small complaint and Eggbeaters are hugely popular with the world's top XC dudes as they are extremely light and have excellent performance, but I hate using them as I feel the mechanism is unreliable when riding through any kind of terrain where you risk grounding your pedals.

[Gripper]

Just got some shimano spd shoes today to use with my new mallet c's which will be mounted on my 5" trailbike.

Being a noob to clipping in, I've viewd this thread with interest.

Bodin, until you mentioned it, I never thought about the possible happenings of accidentally being unclipped by hitting a rock with the underside of a crank bros pedal....I'll have to watch out for that considering the territory I ride.

Wish me luck on my new clipped in adventures.

[Bodin]

Just got some shimano spd shoes today to use with my new mallet c's which will be mounted on my 5" trailbike.

Being a noob to clipping in, I've viewd this thread with interest.

Bodin, until you mentioned it, I never thought about the possible happenings of accidentally being unclipped by hitting a rock with the underside of a crank bros pedal....I'll have to watch out for that considering the territory I ride.

Wish me luck on my new clipped in adventures.

I wish you all the best - myself and my riding buddy are the only people I'm aware of that actually have the aforementioned complaint about the potential for unclipping, so I'm sure you'll be happy.

[Dumbellina]

OK - I'll first point out that I'm biased because I prefer Time, but despite my bias, I do still feel the need to point out a common misconception about the Eggbeater mechanism:

It is not similar to Time.

Yes, the cleat is similar in that it clips into two bars and allows similar levels of float, but the bars on the Eggbeaters are physically linked to other "sides" of the pedals and can be activated into opening by hitting the bottom of the pedals on rock, etc... This can't happen with Time, as the top bars are independant from the other side of the pedal.

It is a small complaint and Eggbeaters are hugely popular with the world's top XC dudes as they are extremely light and have excellent performance, but I hate using them as I feel the mechanism is unreliable when riding through any kind of terrain where you risk grounding your pedals.

Your are right about the egg-beaters and rough terrain, but not as you suggest - ie being clipped out by hitting rocks.

I have Candys and absolutely love them. Coming from using SPDs for ages, they felt natural straight away. They have collided with rocks many times without unclipping.

However, I was on a night ride down at the Royal NP when drifting on a corner I've done a million times (on the singletrack at the back of the old farts home), my right pedal collided with a large rock on the side of the trail. The impact threw me forward and snapped one of the bars on the engagement mech.

I am awaiting advice from my LBS if the engagement mech. is replaceable.

[John U]

i love my clipless pedals and use them all the time and stack quite a bit because of it. i believe the skin i lose is worth the efficency i gain.

if anyone is looking i think you will find there are 2 types of mechanisms for shimano clipless pedals (or it may be the cleats you use). one type your foot will only come out when you twist sideways. the others type will come come out if you give it a good yank in any direction. i found the any direction ones better when i was learning and saved myself a few time because of this.

i don't use shimano any longer because it think the foot centering function they have was stuffing my kness.

i am now using eggbeaters and have never had them come unclipped because of hitting a rock on the underside (i will be waiting for this to happen now though). i also have time atac xs. they clip in really solidly. i am still not sure about these. time and egg beaters will only come out when you twist sideways.

most pedals will come out with a really, really good yank in any direction (like a stack)

get clipless pedals and reap the benefits. all the crap they go on with about greater efficiency is true. especially when doing steep climbing.

[Bodin]

get clipless pedals and reap the benefits. all the crap they go on with about greater efficiency is true. especially when doing steep climbing.

...but don't forget to ride flats every now and again to keep your skills up. The combination of flat pedal abilities and clipless efficiency can't be beat.

[beefcake]

Hi All,

Thanks for your valuable input. I have checked my pedals and they are SPD M-505's, and they don't have any platform.

The only thing I don't like about Tim and Eggbeater pedals is that they have one preset tension, obviously I wan't to have the tension loose as loose when I am starting off with them. I was about to crash the other day and gave my leg a good jerk upwards and the cleat released from the pedal, so this was a good thing. Would you recommend getting an SPD pedal with a platform?? I believe this would be better for climbs etc, when you are starting on an incline you can't always get enough momentum to get clipped in. I am doing the Gravity 12 hour in a couple of weeks, so I wan't to get the pedal thing sorted before then.

Cheers!

[John U]

Beefcake,

the shimanos should be ok starting on an uphill, you just might need a bit of practice. saying that i haven't tried big platforms though.

doing the gravity make sure you get your pedal tensions right. i did the mont a couple of years back and after my first couple of laps i decided to loosen the tension. i actually tightened them as i didn't know how to check the tesion scale on the pedals. i tried riding around the camp and clipping out and they seemed easier. when i got out on the track and was a bit shagged i could no longer clip out. i went over about 3 or 4 times in that lap still clipped in. i started cramping up as well and almost ended up stuck out on the track not being able to move.

make sure you get your tension setting right.

[Bodin]

The only thing I don't like about Tim and Eggbeater pedals is that they have one preset tension

All this proves is that they are a superior mechanism to the SPDs. Once you get used to it, which doesn't take long, you'll appreciate the consistency in the entry/release mechanism, regardless of the conditions. I used various SPDs for years before I switched and I don't miss the days of wondering whether my pedals were going to work or not...

[Oddjob]

I'll second that. The consistencey of release and the "feel" that you get with Times gives you a lot of confidence.

For example if I'm coming into a corner that I'm not too sure about, I will preload the mechanism until I'm almost clipped out. If I've come in too hot I can get my foot out very quickly, or alternatively get straight back to pedalling.

[Mtb_Endo]

I agree as well....

The SPD system requires adjustment, the eggbeaters are spring loaded so it makes no difference, the autoadjust if you will..

I like platforms, personal preference. While you are learning, platforms allow you to clip out and ride those techy bits that scare you too much being clipped in... once you are confident im not sure there is much of a point in the platforms (all though with the mallets i can ride them with runners on and i dont really feel the clippy on bits).

[Hud]

Candy mallets appear to be the only clipless pedal with a decent platform that is really useable, IMO.
I briefly used Time Z pedals which seemed to have a greater release angle than spd's. Having to twist the ankle a lot more didn't do much for my confidence.

[Mo]

the shimano ones are a bit "unpredictable" in a good way. one day maybe i'll try eggbeaters.

about the getting clipped in on an incline, so far i have not been able to clip in while on a steep incline. i dont know if it's the angle my foot is or something else but i just cannot continue ride uphill after a stop.

i dont think being on a clipped platform in really going to change something, because either way those beefy shoes are going to get in the way and end up slipping.

[Mtb_Endo]

about the getting clipped in on an incline, so far i have not been able to clip in while on a steep incline. i dont know if it's the angle my foot is or something else but i just cannot continue ride uphill after a stop.

i dont think being on a clipped platform in really going to change something, because either way those beefy shoes are going to get in the way and end up slipping.

It is also the design of the shimano SPD system. You need to slide the front in and push down. Single way of clipping in (unless things have changed)

The eggbeaters allow you to clip in SPD style, the reverse (back in first then push forwards) or just straight push down. You also have 4 entry points rather then 2 on the SPD's as the inside spindle rotates.

[Mo]

well it's doesn't really bother me at all.
in the end it might just be a "feel" type of issue.

[krisko]

I've just started riding clipped in this week, using Shimano SPDs and haven't had any problems. I can even clip in easily on inclines.

I think shoe choice has alot to do with it, I bough Specialized mountain race (or something like that) that are very minimal underneath, just some plastic toe clips and some edge rubber, leaving a large strip in the middle with no grip etc I found this helps as I just put the ball of my foot on the pedal and it just clips in by itself, as it is able to slide forward as their is nothing stopping it from doing so.

I've done about 6hours on them and am using 8-10 clicks from the easiest setting.....

I was following this thread for a while also and took the plunge with SPDs as they came with my bike.

[purdyboy]

As suggested earlier, note where the tension is factory set then wind the tension right off.
Clip your foot in and out a few times so your body can memorise the movement (this is important to build up a suitable relfex arc - skiers should do it too).
Go for a ride, up and down gutter, bunnyhop, click in and out etc until you think "These are way too loose".
Ride back to the hex key and wind on a 'bit' more tension.
Go ride around around again as before until you think "These are still too loose".
Ride back to hex key and wind on a 'bit' more tension.
Keep going until your feet don't pull out when bunny hopping hard but you can still unclip without thinking.
Take the little hex key on your next big ride to fine tune on the trail until you get the perfect setting for you when they are muddy/wet etc.

Note: make sure you wind the tension OFF not ON before you start. I wound it fully ON the first time and ended up on my side still clipped in... great way too start.:rolleyes:

I forgot to add, emergency unclipping SPDs is hardest when you are about to flip over the back whilst overdoing a wheelie. Be warned!

[jmcavoy]

It really is worth it, the lack of control on flats has meant all of my crashes this year have been on my DH rig with flats (I've been ride XC for about 6 years with cleats).

With cleats you can control the back of the bike and pull better bunnies and flick turns, you get so much more control of the bike when you attached to it.

You'll have one bad stcak, and then your brain will work out how to automatically unclip without you being involved. I've inclipped upside down on the way to a huge crassh, it's not because I am good, or wanted to, your body just does it, it becomes second nature... it will for you too, so stick at it.

I just went clips on the DH bike and have picked up some cornering and jump speed and have so much more control, I won't be going back to flats on any bike again, they blow.

[solo]

eggbeaters are the go i used to ride spds for years and they were ok but crap in the mud good to get used to clipless and still better than platforms for xc all mountn ridin
but the eggbeaters are the best pedals i have ever had
easy clippin in or out going up or down and in the mud they never miss

and yes shoes are a big help
the better the base as in the stiffer the sole so none of your energy is wasted the better the shoe
i use specialized comp shoes now and have had shimano and lake shoes before and these are the best for stiffness i have come across

has anyone mentioned that clipless pedals are heaps more efficient than normal pedals even more than toeclips as you can pull the pedal up as you push the alternate one down
so climbing becomes easier and you have that extra burst of speed ontap to surprise your mates with platforms

[Mo]

im still scared of wheelies and techy rock gardens.

[Red Rocket]

I found when I tried clip-in for a day, besides clipping in at the start of the run, I couldn't really feel any of the [negative] affects mentioned. I noted a lot more control, but when I crashed, I crashed as I always do, and ended up sitting on the track with my feet unclipped. This was with shimano style clip-ins as well, so I guess in a crash situation they are pretty easy to get out of. I found clips great, and would be using them currently had I not had to wait for shoes and cleats. Definitely worth it IMO. The only problem I had was forgetting to unclip in the BP carpark and falling very ungracefully.

[RCOH]

I had my 1st clipless stack at lunch today, luckily scblack was there to soften the blow, we stopped at an intersection & i just forgot to unclip :o

[adam_smith_89]

i first got clips on a giant yukon id been mtb for bout a year and was scared shitless of crashing the first time i tried it it was raining and i came of heaps but i learned if u make the clips realy loose u can get out alot quiker so u come of alot less and u gradualy tighten them it worked well for me u should try it

[Mo]

dont keep it too loose, as you will notice doing jumps or whatver is going to be easy and getting unclipped at the wrong time will happen.

/off topic
can someone teach me to do a manual???

[Red Rocket]

/off topic
can someone teach me to do a manual???

In relation to clips, or just in general?

[Mo]

In relation to clips, or just in general?
clips
pm me if you want

[Fatman]

I don't use anything else for real riding, I'll use flatties on the pub bike though.:D I'll never use shimano SPD pedals again though, Time and crank bros. are sweet. Haven't used Xpeedo.
It's a personal thing, some people swear by flatties. Clips take getting used to but once you do I think they are superior.

[DW-1]

I don't use anything else for real riding, I'll use flatties on the pub bike though.:D I'll never use shimano SPD pedals again though, Time and crank bros. are sweet. Haven't used Xpeedo.
It's a personal thing, some people swear by flatties. Clips take getting used to but once you do I think they are superior.
like the Fatman, I use flats (sort of) for pub rides and the shops. I use mallet C's but with std shoes. They work fine for that and i can run clipless if I really want to.

Elvis.