Pedal predicament

[OldDogDan]

Originally Posted by red913

...Got some family coming in from outa town for a week...they would be quite upset if I ditched them for a bike ride. lol

Hey, it's a whole week...they'll understand. Six months from now you'll be so hooked on MTBs they'll want you to ride to keep you from jonesin'. My family does!

And you'll probably be used to clipless by then. But if you don't think you'll be riding a lot, I'd say stick with the platforms. I think you'll have more fun, then when confident on the trails, add the clipless.

(I've made the assumption you're a beginner, but you didn't actually say that, just that the bike was new...)

[red913]

Originally Posted by OldDogDan

Hey, it's a whole week...they'll understand. Six months from now you'll be so hooked on MTBs they'll want you to ride to keep you from jonesin'. My family does!

And you'll probably be used to clipless by then. But if you don't think you'll be riding a lot, I'd say stick with the platforms. I think you'll have more fun, then when confident on the trails, add the clipless.

(I've made the assumption you're a beginner, but you didn't actually say that, just that the bike was new...)

Your astute assumptions are correct sir.

[graves.z]

I'm a bit late to the game, but as a fellow noob let me just say I love being clipped in...and it scares the bejeasus out of me. I fell down quite a few times (once almost into another rider), and eventually stopped clipping in because I was afraid of being stuck to my aluminum deathtrap.

But finally I heard two magic words from shimano..."Multi release". The multi release cleats make it much easier to unclip, almost to the point of not thinking about it. I was surprised at how easy they unclip...to the point that I am going to increase the tension on my pedals.

Just my noobish 2 cents.

[project_d]

Originally Posted by red913

Your astute assumptions are correct sir.

I would ride platforms first just to get used to the bike and get down basic bike handling skills. After that, since you do mostly XC, definitely switch to some sort of clipless pedals. When riding XC, clipless is the only way to go, no question about it. For DH, it depends on what feels good to you.

I ride strictly on platforms, but I'd still recommend trying clipless.

[el_d00der1n0]

I started about two years ago with straps. I shortly thereafter went clipless. IMO there's no reason you can't start with clipless. I'm the biggest clutz there is.

[KBL]

"So whats the point of all these pedals? Why would I want to LOCK my foot down. Seems that in an emergency situation i'm really screwed."

The way you describe the pedals to yourself and others has a lot to do with the experience you'll ultimately have...

Here's my .02:

If you think of yourself as "locked" into your pedals, you're subconsciously setting yourself up to crash several times with your feet still clipped into the pedals. "Locked" means that you're trapped without options. Think "clipped" instead. "Clipped" means securely attached, but ready to un-clip as needed.

That said, I don't think there's a clipless (and by clipless I mean all pedals of this general type: Shimano SPD, Crank Bros., Time, etc.) pedal user who hasn't fallen once or twice or thrice while getting used to clipless pedals.

If you end up with clipless pedals (again, a general term that's not brand-specific) your best bet is to try them out on easy, non-technical trails before you try to tackle tricky, demanding singletrack. You'll want to spend time getting the cleat position dialed in on your shoe, and any other adjustments (like release tension) tuned to your liking before you go on a "real" ride.

In time, and maybe after a flop or two, your reflexes will re-train themselves to make your feet twist to the side and unclip when needed--even in an emergency situation.

I recently swapped my Shimano 747's (remember those? It's OK if you don't) for a pair of Speedplay Frogs. Frogs are great pedals, but they're not for everybody. One difference between Frogs all other clipless pedals (that I'm aware of) is that Frogs do not release to the inside. Even though I rode the 747's for almost 10 years, I still fell over a couple of times while getting used to the Frogs. Yep, I tried to un-clip to the inside and it didn't work.

Whatever pedals you choose, give yourself some time to get used to them.

I agree with the others who said that clipless are your best bet for everything that doesn't go all downhill all the time.

Clipless pedals engage more of your leg muscles over a greater percentage of the crank rotation, so you'll climb more efficiently. On the other hand, nothing is easier to use for downhill than a big ol' nasty platform pedal.

[OldDogDan]

As someone said, your search should've turned up miles of thread about this, here on STR, and try MTBR also. There are many opinions. The majority ride clipless pedals. I'm in the minority who went from clipless to platforms.

I already gave my Mallet M's to my bro-in-law, but I could loan you my old Shimano SPDs if you want to try them (you'll need shoes unless you're sz 8.

You don't really need to "try" platforms. Basically they'll feel like your plastic pedals, except your feet will stick to the pins. And stick amazingly well with rubber like 5.10.

So if you don't want to start out clipless, get the WellGo's or any similar design with pins. Again, lots of brand opinions.

[soul rider]

why do they call it clipless when you are clipped in?

[denmother]

Originally Posted by red913

...Also this topic I would have assumed to have been covered a thousand times over. I didn't find it in the search...hmmm)

Try these previous posts:

Platform Survey

Clipless pedals

Best Pedals for the Knees?

[Pato]

Originally Posted by soul rider

why do they call it clipless when you are clipped in?

Not sure if you're being facetious or not, but here goes. The reason they are called clipless pedals is because the lack of toe clips.

Before the days of clipless pedals pedals used to have the toeclip/strap setup where the rider would slide their foot into the toeclip then cinch down on the strap to get a secure interface between the shoe and the pedal. Most people didn't bother to really tighten down the straps though as it made it very difficult and dangerous to loosen up in the event of an emergency dismount. It was used mostly by roadies.

There's my useless information for the day. Not sure how valid it is though. This is just what I've heard.

[nick]

Another big fan of the Crank Bros Mallets. Great pedal clipped or uncliipped. The pedals are easy (not finicky) to clip into and easy to get out of and have a fair amount of float.

[Lefty Kev]

While I agree with what's already been said about clipless pedals (the majority can't be wrong...right?), I personally never got used to going clipless. I couldn't overcome that claustrophobic feeling of being "locked in." I didn't find the rigid nature of clipless shoes very comfortable either but that's just me.

It really is a matter of opinion. I climb just fine with platform pedals and like being able to put my feet down unhindered when things go wrong (I'm sure those who ride clipless can do so just as efficiently).

The only thing I found easier with clipless was bunny-hopping. I've never really fully subscribed to the idea of "perfect circle" pedaling either, clipless or otherwise.

If you can overcome your fear of going clipless, you are probably better off for all the reasons put forward; they just ain't for me

BTW: Shimano 520 clipless pedals are supposed to be the most user-friendly set out there. According to a report in the October 2007 edition of Mountain Bike Action (page 120-121), the 520s "...offer a release mechanism that is adjustable, reliable and the most consistent in-and-out performance of any pedal we've tested. At $49.00 a set they are also very affordable and will last for years of abuse."

Shimano also offer an accessory cleat ($19) that gives the rider more escape routes. It is the SM-SH56 multiple-release cleat which "...releases with a twist of the heel in any direction."

Hope this helps

[soul rider]

I used clipless for a while, benefit INMO was you can pull the pedal. I use platforms on all my rides. it's all what you like.

[red913]

WOW! This is such great info everyone. THANKS! I think I need to be more comfortable on the bike first, then I'm going to transition to the clipless pedals. I appreciate the product review Lefty kev, I'll definitely look into that stuff.

[Evel Knievel]

Originally Posted by Dino Brown

RED- I believe the platform pedal (image) you posted is a WELLGO MG-1. They happen to be the pedals I run. Super light (375g/pair). Super strong. Super sticky. I will let you pedal my bike around next time you make it to The Loop!

With that said, I believe you should give clips a try. Efficient. Foot won't slip off the pedal. Can improve climbing. Can pedal on up AND downstroke if needed etc....

Ditto. On the wellgo. Nice light flat.

Get the if you can already pedal a smooth circle.

Get the clipless if you like to upstroke for extra oomph. Or if you like to feel attached to the bike.
Or if you can't bunnyhop.

Could add that the eggbeaters blow chunks. Any tpe of beater pedal. when you clip a bottom on rock you get ejected. its kinda hard to call it clipped in. This happens more than you think when climbing the tough stuff.

The SPD are way better for clipped. They become telepathic almost instantly. 1 of 100 of my wrecks have I fail to get out in time.