Time to ride clipped in?

[Drum n MTB]

With PacMan and BigHit8 talking about riding clipped in and me slicing my shin open today at the beginning of the ride got me thinking about riding clipped in. I found this at Jenson

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SH307B00-Sixsixone+Filter+Shoeacid+Pedal+Combo.aspx

I've only been riding for about 6 months. Is this a good set up to start with?

I know you guys are all into the carnage so here it is...it didn't hurt bad but it was real close to being a lot worse.


Thanks!!

[PacMan]

Those are the same pedals I went with. I talked to someone who used them and liked them.

As for the shoes, I had a friend that didn't like them. I have no personal experience with them, just sharing what I know.

Good luck to us all!!

[mazer75]

I have only ridden Shimano SPDs with Specialized shoes so I can't comment on that setup, but in general I love riding clipped in. Pretty quickly you'll learn to pop out of those clips super fast.

For that price it seems like a nice way to try riding clipped in. And if you don't like it I'm sure there are a few peeps on here who will be glad to buy those from you at a discounted price

[Drum n MTB]

Originally Posted by PacMan

Those are the same pedals I went with. I talked to someone who used them and liked them.

As for the shoes, I had a friend that didn't like them. I have no personal experience with them, just sharing what I know.

Good luck to us all!!

Let me know how you like those pedals. They look good on your bike.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by mazer75

And if you don't like it I'm sure there are a few peeps on here who will be glad to buy those from you at a discounted price

First in line.
I think you'll like them though. I haven't heard anything else about the shoes either.

[BrewMaster]

Here's another option.

661 Expert Shoe/Candy C Combo

More of an XC set up than the Acid pedals. I like riding clipped in, but I've not ridden and Crank Brothers pedals or 661 shoes. I like the stability and power of riding clipped in. Like most things in MTB, it's a matter of personal preference.

One thing I have heard is that Crank Brothers pedals are a little less forgiving when learning to unclip. SPDs with multi-release cleats and a low tension setting are pretty easy to learn on. The Crank Brothers don't have tension adjust or multi-release cleats.

[bighit8]

Originally Posted by Drum n MTB

With PacMan and BigHit8 talking about riding clipped in and me slicing my shin open today at the beginning of the ride got me thinking about riding clipped in. I found this at Jenson

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SH307B00-Sixsixone+Filter+Shoeacid+Pedal+Combo.aspx

I've only been riding for about 6 months. Is this a good set up to start with?

I know you guys are all into the carnage so here it is...it didn't hurt bad but it was real close to being a lot worse.


Thanks!!

Wow after seeing that price I am a little mad.Jax is pricey, my pedals alone were 110.00 ( store credit so oh well) and I just saw eggbeaters for 50.00 at performance. Eggbeatters were around 170 at jax.

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

One thing I have heard is that Crank Brothers pedals are a little less forgiving when learning to unclip. SPDs with multi-release cleats and a low tension setting are pretty easy to learn on. The Crank Brothers don't have tension adjust or multi-release cleats.

For what it's worth, I had the exact opposite experience. When I tried clipless a couple years ago, I used SPD's and hated them. They pretty much ruined me on clipless pedals. Unclipping was very hard.

I had someone give me some Crank Bros Candy C's and I put them on my new road bike and was amazed at how much easier they were to get out of than SPD's. The Crank Bros do have a cleat mounting option that makes the release easy, so I went with that.

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by PacMan

For what it's worth, I had the exact opposite experience. When I tried clipless a couple years ago, I used SPD's and hated them. They pretty much ruined me on clipless pedals. Unclipping was very hard.

I had someone give me some Crank Bros Candy C's and I put them on my new road bike and was amazed at how much easier they were to get out of than SPD's. The Crank Bros do have a cleat mounting option that makes the release easy, so I went with that.

Thanks for sharing your experience Pacman. I have never ridden Crank Bros pedals. The cleat mounting option on CB pedals is a nice idea for 15° or 20° release angles.

My next set of pedals will be CB.

[Seat Sniffer]

I haven't tried CB pedals yet, but I hear they have some side to side play as where SPD does not.

I can vouch for 661 shoes. I have the Tiburons and they're a great shoe for the money. Its more of a MTB shoe since it has a more aggressive tread for hiking.

Also, When I'm running plats I use hammer neoprene shin/calf guards. They wrap all the way around your leg.

[bighit8]

Never tried spds, but from what I hear cbs are compatible with spds. I was worried about clips. But I rode to the doc today for the dog bite and just feelin more comfortable after each ride.

I have then set for 15 degrees. Super quick and easy to release for my first run at clipless.

[Drum n MTB]

Originally Posted by Seat Sniffer

I can vouch for 661 shoes. I have the Tiburons and they're a great shoe for the money. Its more of a MTB shoe since it has a more aggressive tread for hiking.

How is the sizing on 661? Pretty standard? I'm between 12 and 13 depending on the brand.

[emejay]

Originally Posted by PacMan

For what it's worth, I had the exact opposite experience. When I tried clipless a couple years ago, I used SPD's and hated them. They pretty much ruined me on clipless pedals. Unclipping was very hard.

I had someone give me some Crank Bros Candy C's and I put them on my new road bike and was amazed at how much easier they were to get out of than SPD's. The Crank Bros do have a cleat mounting option that makes the release easy, so I went with that.

I used SPD's for years and still had "episodes" where I just couldn't get out of them in time to avoid a crash, sometimes in the most embarassing situations. I switched to CB Candies and Eggbeaters and was pleased at how easy it is to engage and disengage. Some people dislike them for this very reason as they prefer a concerted effort to get out. I have CB's on all of my bikes now.
I am surprised at the low price offered for the shoe/pedal combo and would definately recommend it as a way to try out clipless. Just keep in mind there is a learning curve to using these, but with the CB it is as easy as it gets. You will notice more power when climbing and more control in rough situations as you will stay planted on the pedals (no bloody shins).

[Pain Freak]

Don't clip in...It's just another fad, like the ss and 29er thing. Don't waste your money.

[bobzrag]

Hey Drum n MTB, it depends on what type of riding you do - I've have AtomLab clipless and love em, but about 2 months ago went to platforms with Five.Ten's. The 5.10's are awesome, feels like your glued to the pedals, but can still get off easy. Haven't bashed my shins yet. My first climb with them was on Mathis and it was grueling! But I went back yesterday and cleaned it. I love the plats, I'm getting more confidence in both climbing and descending (especially bombing down fun stuff!)

I'm at the point where I'll probably swap out depending on where I'm going. Lots of fun downhill technical stuff will be flats, lots of ups and downs and climbing will be the clipless - better spinning. I find I can get around maybe 60-70% on the flats tho.

[emfc]

I have experince with all three. I used SPD's forever and just recently swithched to CB because I need some float. (anyone need some SPD pedals?) SPD are a great pedals to learn in, because they are so easy to get in and out of. The only probelm is when it is muddy, then good luck getting out of those things. Good thing we don't ride in the mud much here in socal. They also lock you in one postion and my knees just couldn't handle that anymore. I needed a litttle play and the CB's are just right for me.

You can pick up some CB Candies or Smarties cheap. Most shops online have them in the $50 range. They both have small platform that gives you some place to place foot when you are not clipped in.

As for the 661 shoes I have the older version of these, they have lasted forever with no issue or compliants at all.



Good luck and like others have said there is a learning curve but the benifits far outwieght the few crashes you will have.

[cjwally]

Save yourself and get the crank bros. SPDs can be harder to get out of. The CBs are a lot more predictable while trying to unclip. Plus the float saves your knees whereas the SPDs have a tension system that keeps your foot centered which could stress out your knees if you are sensitive...

[Permagrin]

my shins look similar - whats the problem? :-)

[Jman]

Will those shoes work with any CB's? I'm also on the verge of looking at clipless but want to be able to run one pair of shoes for both my road and mtb riding...they look a bit bulky so perhaps a slightly different shoe might be in order....but that price is pretty impressive.