Clip in or to not clip in...that is the question

[Elitephotooc]

Just curious.... do most of you prefer to use or not to use clip style pedals? Im new to this sport and bought a bike that had clip pedals so i also bought the sidi clip in shoes. Not sure if I like this fact of being locked into my pedals. I know it takes some getting use to BUT is there a good reason to use these clip in pedals or do most of you just use traditional pedals? I had a good lil spill last night because of these pedals. I lost my balance and went to put my foot out ( as i would when i ride my dirt bikes) and of coarse my foot was locked in so i crashed and before I knew it I had a 27lb bike on top of me as i rolled over...with my feet still locked in. Whats everyones oppinion on this pedal ordeal. Thanks in advance

[killa Cali Kid]

Originally Posted by Elitephotooc

Just curious.... do most of you prefer to use or not to use clip style pedals? Im new to this sport and bought a bike that had clip pedals so i also bought the sidi clip in shoes. Not sure if I like this fact of being locked into my pedals. I know it takes some getting use to BUT is there a good reason to use these clip in pedals or do most of you just use traditional pedals? I had a good lil spill last night because of these pedals. I lost my balance and went to put my foot out ( as i would when i ride my dirt bikes) and of coarse my foot was locked in so i crashed and before I knew it I had a 27lb bike on top of me as i rolled over...with my feet still locked in. Whats everyones oppinion on this pedal ordeal. Thanks in advance

actuallyy shoes with cleats are refered to as clipless. clips are the plastic/metal cages you see on some pedals. (don't ask)

try to stay a bit longer working with the sidis (and assume spd's) as you will certainly benefit from control and power. others doing alot of FS and DH may argue for flats

I say, "clipless".

At first it was awkward to be clipped in, but now I feel awkward not being clipped in. You will adjust to being clipped in and with that you feel like you are more "one" with the bike. I can unclip my feet just about as fast as I could take my foot off the pedal...unless in the unlikely event a small rock/twig gets lodged in the clip then that might be a different story.

All comes down to personal preference...you'll love the benefits of being clipped in on the climbs when you first use them, you may feel a little sketchy descending technical stuff at first, but your confidence level should grow with each and every ride.

I know El Borracho and Kentonn aren't clipped, and they seem to climb just fine...so I say give it a shot and if after a month or two its not for you, go back to flats.

[roadkillross]

never clip into something that you will most likely crash

[Elitephotooc]

Ill give it a shot for a few more rides and see what happens. Ive had a few close calls and one crash because I was stuck on my bike. I definately feel like I have greater power when climbing beings im locked in. but on anything where i have to use brakes and balance..say technical downhill I just feel like its going to prevnet me from putting my foot out if needed and ill end up on my ass, likely with my bike on top of me...as I did last night. so ill try it for a few more weeks and see what happens.

[FyrFytrRyn]

most people only prefer clipless for climbing, you can pull and push and get rid of that "dead spot" in your pedal stroke, more efficent. i run platforms on my DH and XC bike, but i grew up on bmx bikes with platforms and racing motocross, so foot removal is just my style. i still fight my self to keep my feet on the pedals in berm shots and when scrubbing speed off over roller lips. really its personal preference.

[dstepper]

Don't give up to quick, a couple more rides is not enough time.

Two things to look at with SPD's. Have you loosened the adjuster to its loosest setting. Certain SPD pedals alow you to use Shimano multi-release cleats...mucho easier to release.

I used to run Shimano clipless with the cages. When I rode through a section that I was not comfortable with, I would unclip before. As time went on I was uncliping less and less.

SHIMANO® SM-SH56 SPD MULTI-RELEASE CLEAT

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopdispl...asp?Search=Yes

[jfromlv]

XC- clippy
DH- no clippy
Actually I've run the clipless in some of my DH races as long as it does not have super technical sections, but I still prefer the platforms for DH.

[Geronimo]

Clipless pedals are just a fad. In a few more decades when everyone starts riding flats again they'll know I was right all along.

[killa Cali Kid]

Originally Posted by El Borracho

Clipless pedals are just a fad. In a few more decades when everyone starts riding flats again they'll know I was right all along.

good call. I hear the NFL is going back to these as well

[Elitephotooc]

I have the crank bros candy C pedals and the Sedi Dominator 5 shoe. I sometimes have trouble getting into my left pedal as well as out. the right i dont have to much of an issue with..except when falling! haha.

[SAR_boats]

You might want to make sure that the right cleats are on the right shoe. The cleat with the 2 dimples on it goes on the right shoe, the one without goes on the left. Also some shoes accept crank brothers candys (I ride on Candy Ti s) better than others. If you are having problems clipping in and out make sure that the tread of the shoe isn't getting in the way. If it is you can take a dremel too to the tread around the cleat to free up some room, or put a shim in under the cleat (between the sole of the shoe and the cleat.

[Winger]

I fell once the first time I used clipless pedals. Luckily it was into a bush. Now I've had them for 3 years and I can unclip in an instant without thinking about it.

As someone else mentioned, loosen the tension if you have the shimano pedals and gradually tighten it as you get more used to it.

Also, when you know you're going to fall sideways, keep your hands on the handlebars. Hit with the handlebar first and then roll onto the rest of your body. There's no sense in breaking your collarbone/wrist/arm because of clipless pedals. I've read that the majority of injuries occur at slow speed.

[Elitephotooc]

yeah thats what I did...let the bar hit first..but my knee and elbow still took a hit. I have the crank bros candy C pedals not shimano. as for my sidi shoe tread getting in the way...ill have to check that out. Thanks for all the insight. hopefully ill get use to these things and get my stuff all set up right.

[Pain Freak]

I ride mostly flats as my reaction time isn't what it used to be. But if you think it may just be getting used to riding clipped in then you might want to consider the pedals that have a platform on one side and clips on the other. I ride the road only with clipped in, and if there is going to be more then 5,000 feet of climbing I'll change the platforms out.

[killa Cali Kid]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

and if there is going to be more then 5,000 feet of climbing I'll change the platforms out.

hey I got a similar rule. if there is going to be more than 5,000 feet of climbing I'll stay home

[Elitephotooc]

HAHAHAH Im with ya Killa. hahaha.

[SAR_boats]

when you are looking for tread interference make sure that the tread clears the platform arond the clips along with the clips, just thought I'd mention that. Also if you install the shims that came with the pedals you will get a little more float in the pedals but easier entry and exit

[Elitephotooc]

YEAH i HAVE THE SHIMS IN AND THE SHIMS IN THE CLEATS TOO. MAYBE I JUST NEED TO GET USE TO THESE DARN THINGS

[Elitephotooc]

K i THINK IVE GOT THE PROBLEM FIGURED OUT. I WENT TO THE BIKE SHOP AND THEY SET ME UP ON A TRAINER WITH MY BIKE TO SEE HOW IM GETTING IN AND OUT OF MY PEDALS. THEY ADDED AN EXTRA SHIM (2 TOTAL PER SHOE) AND I CAN GET OUT MUCH EASIER. ONLY THING ABOUT THAT IS NOW WHEN I WALK ON CONCRETE I SOUND LIKE A FREAKIN TAP DANCER. THEY SAID I CAN PROLLY TRIM SOME OF THE SHOES RUBBER AND DITCH THE EXTRA SHIM FOR THE SAME EFFECT. i THINK i MAY GIVE THAT A TRY. oops sorry for the caps