Am I The Only One...

[Pain Freak]

I'm using the pedals that are clipless on one side and platform on the other. I just don't have the reaction time needed to get out soon enough and I like getting out fast. I use the clipless for climbing and even on dh that I'm familar with, but I almost always unclip in the technical stuff.

[Dusty]

Your just not supposed to tell anyone, they dont like to hear it.

Originally Posted by jebfour

Who doesn't like clipless pedals? Over the past few years I've tried various brands, cleats, etc. and just never could get used to being locked to my bike.

I took them off for what I believe is "for good" this morning - and put my trusty A-frames on.

Am I the only one who just couldn't get used 'em? When I'm on the trail I rarely see others who aren't using them...

Just curious

[Fishysticks]

I only run platforms and can still bunnyhop, it's just something that takes practice. I have nothing against people being clipped in, to each his own, but I just dont feel safe not being able to leap off my bike like a madman.

[poy]

the first time i used clips was in fully loop and i fell because i couldnt get unclipped in time. some hikers helped me get up while still stuck on my bike and as soon as they got me up i fell back down... the lesson is.. if you ever go back clipped use the multi release ones!

[Seat Sniffer]

Originally Posted by Red Hot Sloth

Grrrrr......
Don't forget to lower your seat...

Right on! Or try pedaling through mud standing up! BAM!

[strobelite]

do you hate a-frames as much as me?

[Lefty Kev]

Originally Posted by jebfour

Who doesn't like clipless pedals? Over the past few years I've tried various brands, cleats, etc. and just never could get used to being locked to my bike.

I took them off for what I believe is "for good" this morning - and put my trusty A-frames on.

Am I the only one who just couldn't get used 'em? When I'm on the trail I rarely see others who aren't using them...

Just curious

I'm with you on this. I tried to go clipless but just didn't like the feeling of claustrophobia I had being attached to the bike. I didn't find the shoes comfortable either; on or off the bike (I tried more than one pair).

Okay, I probably could have stuck with it a little longer than I did but I'm very happy with my flats and the 5.10 High Impact shoes hook up like a drunken prom date

Personally, I have no problems climbing without a clipless set-up and since I'm not interested in competitive racing, any effeciency I might lose on climbs is really like splitting hairs. There have been one or two mishaps where the pins on my platform pedals have cost me some skin but not often enough to be a big problem.

After all is said and done, you've just gotta go with what makes you comfortable

[mtbchip]

Originally Posted by jebfour

Am I the only one who just couldn't get used 'em? When I'm on the trail I rarely see others who aren't using them...

Just curious

YES, you are the ONLY one indeed. When's the last time you saw a fantastic downhill skier on "platform skies"

Clip in and ride. Your feet sliding off the pedals....It's one less thing you have to think about when "negotiating" the rock gardens!

Now flame away clipless haters!

[strobelite]

Originally Posted by mtbchip

YES, you are the ONLY one indeed. When's the last time you saw a fantastic downhill skier on "platform skies"

Clip in and ride. Your feet sliding off the pedals....It's one less thing you have to think about when "negotiating" the rock gardens!

Now flame away clipless haters!

i have never had a problem with my feet coming off-but my mom does say it was a painful experience giving birth to a kid AND a bike!

[SheDevil]

I've been clipped in for the last couple months now...and to be honest....I don't really like it either. I bail out on my hill climbs for fear of tipping. I also have had a few crashes that shouldn't have happened because I couldn't put my foot down in time. I don't see ANY change on my climbing performance....
sucked before=suck still

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/mo..._463_TRUE.html

[ubermensch]

FWIW, I didn't start feeling the benefits of being clipped in until after a few weeks of riding with them. Even then, you don't notice it until you go back to platforms. And if/when you do go back, you wonder how you ever got along with the platforms. At least that was my experience.

I think what happens is you end up developing a different spin when you are clipped in. Your pedal stroke becomes more round (or is it rounder?), and that also means you are lifting your legs on the upstroke. Once you get into that habit and then try platforms again, you have all sorts of problems because your foot keeps coming off the pedals. It's like sex, if you've never had it, it's really no big deal and you get along fine; but after you do, your whole life changes.

the last comment was tongue in cheek. i can think of good reasons to not clip in too.

[Abui]

I'd say it depends on the terrain and bike. Clips serve at least two functions and this my order of importance.
(1) To keep from getting bounced of the pedals with hitting rough terrain. More likely when riding hard tail bikes. Suspension - I rode a lot with flat pedals.
(2) Keep the foot on the pedal when climbing rough terrain (SS), i.e. quick weighting changes. I want to the keep the ball of the foot on the sweet spot of the pedal. (I can spin flats on steady stuff.)

I use SPD's set to very loose so unclipping (to the side) isn't any harder than lifting off pins.

[queenwilhelmina]

You guys are forgetting that when you have a REALLY good crash, you automatically become clipped out without even trying! It's quite a phenomenon.

Now if you just dab and lose your balance, that's when it sucks to be clipped in.

[DISCO]

I ride flats, partially because it's a pain in the ass to find size 15 shoes to wear but mostly because when something really mechanical happens I would rather be wearing comfortable walking shoes. Also I frequently dismount for trail work and plastic slippers don't work well over rocks. Lately I have been riding between 60-100 miles a week and cant imagine hauling around extra shoes and socks everywhere I go. Maybe it's my BMX roots but I can't imagine why folks would ride any kind of plastic pedal they are slippery and dangerous. Get some good ones, they will be wide enough and stick like fly paper no matter what you try.

Happy Trails.

[PacMan]

If you use the right shoes and the right pedals, platforms work just fine. 510's and pretty much ANY platform pedal will work great. I have never had a foot slip with 510's.

I used Azonic A-Frames for awhile--still have them on a few of my bikes actually. I recently bought/EP'd Atom Lab Trail Kings from work. They are lighter and have a thinner profile than the A-Frames. Last night was my first ride on them and they were friggin' awesome!!

Our ride had long climbs, short and steep "power-up-it" risers and stream crossings and I never once got anywhere near a pedal slip.

I use platforms because clipless pedals aren't necessary in my opinion. But it's just that--my opinion. Others love clipless and hate flats and more power to them. It makes the world go 'round.

Bottom line is, use what feels comfortable to you and don't feel like you should be doing one thing or another just because a lot of people do it. Same can be said for all the MTB related debates. Go with what works for you and just get out and ride.

[DeadlyStryker]

How do you do can cans with clipless pedals?

[Abui]

Originally Posted by DeadlyStryker

How do you do can cans with clipless pedals?

What? I don't hop over bunnies. If they get in front of me too bad.