Clipless pedals? soo confused

[BAD_S197]

I dropped off the beast to get the finishing touches done. I was told I can pick it up saturday afternoon for my ride sunday morning.

Now the confusion...

I was talking to the one guy at the shop and my one buddy i took along to hang out.

The shop guy asked me if I was using clipless and I told him i was doing platform pedals.

Conversation led to me trying on some shoes and egg beaters for the bike.

I know nothing about this style of pedal and why it's so much better... or why the extra money would be justified to buy the setup.

I'm a traditional toss on some sneakers and go ride kinda guy.

Is the clipless better for riding a mountain bike? Do a lot of people use them? Are they better? What will I get out of them?

I go pickup my bike saturday afternoon and wont wear them till then so I have an opportunity to return them.

If it's worth it to go clipless, fine.. no problem thats justification for me, but if there's no real advantage then it's not for me.

thanks for your attention.

jake

[theclayster]

gives you the opportunity not only to push, but to push and pull when pedaling. Since you are clipped in you can pull up when pedaling, something you can't do on platforms

[Justin]

going uphill, big advantage. I've read 30% power increase but that could be an overstatement. going down, takes some getting used to, and i'm pretty sure most hardcore downhill guys dont like clips.

[BAD_S197]

The guy asked me why i wanted platforms and I told him in case i wanted to ride to work etc...

He said "You don't ride a bike like that to work or to the store"... (referring to the BMC i dropped off.

I guess he's right.. you wouldnt ride a 2-3,000 dollar bike to work lest something really bad happen to it (stolen, run over by a car etc..).

[allison]

Better pedaling efficiency. Also, in the end.. better bike control.

For whatever reason, I don't use clipless when racing DH (many do), but for any other type of riding I can't imagine NOT being clipped in.

I've only ever ridden that way. Was forced to use platforms at Gooseberry last Labor Day and it was a horrible experience.

Descending is okay if I have the correct shoes/pedals, but pedaling flat or climbing? Gotta be clipped in.

[hobie]

i just started a couple weeks ago riding with my clipless. and the first time out on my everyday 2 mile fire road up hill that i ride. i noticed i did it alot faster because i found it easier to go faster. it didnt burn my muscles as much in my legs. and now i leave my girl friend who rides platforms and i used to not be able to beat her. we were always pretty equal.

i also ride to work so i got some shoes that are clipless that i can wear around like sneakers and i also got pedals that also have a platform around them incase i have normal shoes on.

[BAD_S197]

Hey Allison, I don't know if you remember me from last year at SART. We met when I was with a group headed down the trail and you and two others were heading up the hill. It was my first mountain bike ride ever and it was a blast.. i just got too busy with life but am planning on riding a lot more.

I was the guy who looked like he was gonna pass out from too much excercise.

[Justin]

Originally Posted by BAD_S197

I guess he's right.. you wouldnt ride a 2-3,000 dollar bike to work lest something really bad happen to it (stolen, run over by a car etc..).

Not sure it had anything to do with the price, it's just not the right style of bike. Big travel and big suspension is extra weight and rolling resistance. Not optimal for road rides.

[KonaDupee]

It really depends on your preferred type of riding. Downhill riders choose platforms a lot more often than XC riders.

For my style of mostly XC riding, I can't imagine not being clipped in. I feel so disconnected to the bike & would hate losing the ability to pull one pedal up as I mash the other down.

It takes a while to get used to being clipped in. If you decide to go with clips, be prepared to feel *very* awkward at first. Don't worry; it's completely natural. Every single person had the same experience when they first went clipless.

[allison]

Originally Posted by BAD_S197

Hey Allison, I don't know if you remember me from last year at SART. We met when I was with a group headed down the trail and you and two others were heading up the hill. It was my first mountain bike ride ever and it was a blast.. i just got too busy with life but am planning on riding a lot more.

I was the guy who looked like he was gonna pass out from too much excercise.

Yup, very cool! Maybe start with some more flatlander rides

[kevinator]

Definitely take the plunge. There's a bit of a learning curve but once you get accustomed I think you'll be very surprised how much energy you wasted before.

[allison]

Originally Posted by BAD_S197

The guy asked me why i wanted platforms and I told him in case i wanted to ride to work etc...

He said "You don't ride a bike like that to work or to the store"... (referring to the BMC i dropped off.

I guess he's right.. you wouldnt ride a 2-3,000 dollar bike to work lest something really bad happen to it (stolen, run over by a car etc..).

Probably just cause a road bike/cross bike would be better on roads? Not sure why else. People ride all types of bikes all over!

Originally Posted by KonaDupee

It takes a while to get used to being clipped in. If you decide to go with clips, be prepared to feel *very* awkward at first. Don't worry; it's completely natural. Every single person had the same experience when they first went clipless.

And everybody falls! Sometimes it still happens to experienced riders

[Code Blue]

Originally Posted by allison

Better pedaling efficiency. Also, in the end.. better bike control.

For whatever reason, I don't use clipless when racing DH (many do), but for any other type of riding I can't imagine NOT being clipped in.

I've only ever ridden that way. Was forced to use platforms at Gooseberry last Labor Day and it was a horrible experience.

Descending is okay if I have the correct shoes/pedals, but pedaling flat or climbing? Gotta be clipped in.

Better pedaling efficiency. Also, in the end.. better bike control

For CC it is the way to go fo'sho

Originally Posted by BAD_S197

I dropped off the beast to get the finishing touches done. I was told I can pick it up saturday afternoon for my ride sunday morning.

Now the confusion...

I was talking to the one guy at the shop and my one buddy i took along to hang out.

The shop guy asked me if I was using clipless and I told him i was doing platform pedals.

Conversation led to me trying on some shoes and egg beaters for the bike.

I know nothing about this style of pedal and why it's so much better... or why the extra money would be justified to buy the setup.

I'm a traditional toss on some sneakers and go ride kinda guy.

Is the clipless better for riding a mountain bike? Do a lot of people use them? Are they better? What will I get out of them?

I go pickup my bike saturday afternoon and wont wear them till then so I have an opportunity to return them.

If it's worth it to go clipless, fine.. no problem thats justification for me, but if there's no real advantage then it's not for me.

thanks for your attention.

jake

First thing you should do is call your shop and have them swap the egg beaters with some Time ATAC's

[BoingBoing]

I like 'em. But I unclip for going down, riding through nasty rocks, or just anytime I'm nervous. At 42 years old, it takes me a while to learn new tricks.

That's why I like my Mallets (just like the Egg-Beaters, but with a big old pedal built around it). Crank Brothers also make Acids which are the same idea, but smaller platform.

I find I get a slight power boost just from clipping in. When I am climbing clipped-in I have the choice to start pulling up as well as pushing down. It's like hitting the nitrous switch. But I can't pedal like that all the time!

Also, climbing loose stuff with platform pedals I'd be skid,skid,skid... each pedal stroke. But clippless, I can transfer my energy smoothly over the whole pedaling circle. If that makes sense.

But you can always get them later. Ride with platforms for awhile to make sure you like riding. Also, that way you can see for yourself the difference they make. That way you won't be like "I spent $200 on this stuff. I dunno, the other kids like 'em..."

my .02

[slowSSer]

I've got a gripe here with bike shops: eggs and times are not beginner pedals. if you're just getting used to clipless, you need the adjustability of a shimano spd style pedal. why? you can adjust the spring tension on times or eggs to get in and out easier.

ok, end rant.

be prepared to fall over while still clipped in. trust me- the "horizontal track stand" is part of the learning process.

and, no, it's not a faux-pas to have spd's on your BMC, if you're worried about the bike fashion police.

also, don't be surprised if you have to raise your seat a little due to the height of the shoe plus cleat thickness.

[Abstrakt77]

Actually, I would say 50% of DH riders are clipped in and the other half flats. I personally love being clipped in as it seems to offer better control through the rough stuff as well as in the air. However, I did start riding on platforms and the transition to being clipped in was a process.

I also agree with starting off on Shimano SPDS as they offer the tension adjustment.

[allison]

Originally Posted by slowSSer

I've got a gripe here with bike shops: eggs and times are not beginner pedals. if you're just getting used to clipless, you need the adjustability of a shimano spd style pedal. why? you can adjust the spring tension on times or eggs to get in and out easier.

ok, end rant.

Crank Bro's has a beginner setting. I still use it. I never found it to be any more difficult than Shimano. I used SPD at first, and switched to the Candy SL and have always liked it.

It's funny, Justin pushed going to CB's, but then he just recently wanted to try Shimano!

FWIW, I have I think Speedplay Frog's on my road bike and I hate them. I look like I've never used clipless pedals every time I rode bike. I think I need the "light action" version, but it's a little too late now!

[FisherFanHye]

I've been adviced to clip in. People often tell me what I keep reading( how its a greather idea to go uphill cliped) any recomendtions on shoes and pedals for around 130-150$. I dont want anything too advanced.


(P.S. Does the Shoe and Pedal have to be bought togather and match? )

[Code Blue]

Originally Posted by slowSSer

I've got a gripe here with bike shops: eggs and times are not beginner pedals. if you're just getting used to clipless, you need the adjustability of a shimano spd style pedal. why? you can adjust the spring tension on times or eggs to get in and out easier.

ok, end rant.

be prepared to fall over while still clipped in. trust me- the "horizontal track stand" is part of the learning process.

and, no, it's not a faux-pas to have spd's on your BMC, if you're worried about the bike fashion police.

also, don't be surprised if you have to raise your seat a little due to the height of the shoe plus cleat thickness.

I've got a gripe here with bike shops: eggs and times are not beginner pedals. if you're just getting used to clipless, you need the adjustability of a shimano spd style pedal. why? you can adjust the spring tension on times or eggs to get in and out easier.

Just make sure the SPD's are lubed, dry and free from any mud. Besides that they are very user friendly

Seriously Times are easy......way easy.

The trick is to practice clipping and uncliping on some grass etc...

[allison]

Originally Posted by FisherFanHye

(P.S. Does the Shoe and Pedal have to be bought togather and match? )