Clip-ins vs non-clip-ins pedals

[Rob]

When I bought my Bianchi from Neil he left a set of Time pedals on them. They work awesome. I can unclip by not only kicking out my heel but also if my foot rolls to the side it will unclip. They are very easy to unclip but I've never accidentally unclipped. They also have a ramp that makes it easier to clip in as well, I can either step into the clip or kick into it which helps when clipping back in on a fast downhill or climbing.

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by integradriv3r

I think I'm buying a set of CB 50/50 and try the platform as I too am afraid to clip in when going down steep descents.

I implore you to try another pedal and not waste your time and $$ with the 50/50's. Worst platform pedal I ever used.

[nappyt]

I have a pair of Time ATAC XS pedals I was using for the last couple years and they are great. No tunning, quick release that never got stuck and even in mud they clipped-in. Back in June I was trying to climb Big Rock trail in San Diego which has over 125 water bars some of which are in series or a few feet apart. By the 10th bar I was so tired I couldn't clip out and tipped over.

I was using the Azonic A-Frame platforms until I get better balance. I have the clip-less on my new bike because I was to lazy to pull the platforms from my old one. For long rides I will be using my ATAC clip-less but for short rides that I can do balance drills and goof with rocks and jumps I'll take the platforms.

I don't know about any increase in power but the fixed foot placement reduces fatigue I get during rides with lots of climbing. It helped me spin better I don't just mash the pedals I have an even push & pull.

[SAR_boats]

Candy SLs on Felix
Candi Ti on Eleanor and Samson
5050x on Elvira

BTW running clipless is why I have a torn PCL in my right knee. But I love them because they give you better control ovr the rear of the bike and you can generate power in a full circle instead of on the forward and downstroke, making for smoother power to the dirt

[Winston]

Both (Well not at the same time.)

Flats: Steep descents, off chamber sections, race courses with flat turns...

Clipped in: Rock gardens, lots of pedaling or miles, tech climbing

[Permagrin]

I'm surprised to see how many people go non-clip. I thought everyone had them and I was the outcast bucking the system. I don't like the idea of thinking "what if I can't get out of them?" Like Pacman said, I don't race and I like the idea of being able to bail off the bike if I need to. Not sure what brand I have but I just bought a pair of l/w platforms with the metal studs and I love them!

[Fired Yo Momma]

Originally Posted by PacMan

I implore you to try another pedal and not waste your time and $$ with the 50/50's. Worst platform pedal I ever used.

I had the Mallets as well and now I run the Shimano SPD. The Shimano are so much better! I am able to clip and unclip so much easlier. I have the Mallets on my commuter bike. I used to have issues being clipped but now I feel unsecure going downhill not being clipped in. On the uphill climbs being clipped has helped me so much with my climbing. The pros outnumber the cons from being clipped in.

[mullarks]

I only use flats. The way I look at it is I will never come in first going up things anyways and flats work just fine going up just about anything except really tech or really steep climbs. Then on the down it allows me to push harder because I can bail out on the rare occassion that I have too. They have definitely saved my arse a few times when I have pushed too hard coming come down stuff.

[DeeZee]

Can’t comment on the newer SPD’s but the older ones were death traps. They had to be clean, lubed and constantly adjusted / tightening bolts etc.. And if you got them wet……..forget about it!

Time Atacs are the best pedals I have tried including Egg beaters. I would say that they are one of the best mountain bike products I have used. Me 230lbs mashing on a SS and for three years have even had to lube them. No adjustments, no problem un-clicking and no surprise pop-outs. Fantastic product.

I do not care for platforms for cc or trail riding. What I do not like about platforms is that when going DH on twisty technical stuff I feel I am pushing
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Verdana]down on the pedals. With the Times I am connected to the bike and float around better.[/FONT]
[/FONT]

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by Waldo

Candy SL's on my bike, but even after almost 2 years with them I still unclip a lot in sketchy situations. Some friends mock me for it, but the habit has turned several would-be OTBs into what I like to call "evasive maneuvers" (ie: step-offs).

I don't think the Shimano's will help Bob. The release on the CBros is much easier. My opinion.

Regardless of the clipless pedal. You should put the seat down, clip in, get behind the seat and control your braking (don't lock up and let the bike roll) and you'll do fine. It's still okay to tripod or unclip on the gnarly stuff, but most of the time this technique will get you through it.

[2wheel_lee]

Thanks CeeDubb! <blushing>

I just saw this thread after posting in a thread in Workshop.

I regularly go back and forth between clips and flats, since I have flats on some bikes and clips on others. I grew up racing BMX, so I always like the freedom to move my feet around on the pedals (like Dino said). Of course, there are times when I prefer the merits of clips, such as when riding my singlespeed (although I'm sure I'd do fine with flats).

I prefer to jump and ride technical stuff on flats. Although this may sound odd to some, for me, bunnyhopping is much easier on flats.

As some may have noticed on the proclaimed "hill of death" on last Saturday's newbie ride, I was able to climb it on my play bike with flats. My feet were probably moving around a bit more than I'd like, but at least I didn't have to worry about stalling out clipped in, then falling over (as many did) - that's a serious climbing advantage with flats. Granted, clips allow you to produce more power, but more power alone doesn't always get you up steep hills better. Technical riding up or down, I'll take flats any day, because I can give it full effort and bail out at the last second, if needed.

Flats are also much better for riding wheelies. Not because I can get out if I loop it (I don't loop much, thanks to the rear brake), but the flats let me move my legs around for better balance.

Regarding pedal brand, I really don't care too much. The bike I was riding has....hmm...I'm not sure...I think they were some cheapo Mosh pedals I bought for about $20 about 7 or 8 years ago. My DH bike has Shimano DX platform pedals. In regards to pedals, I'm not that picky. My shoes for flats are 7 year old Vans (in a serious need of replacement).

On my XC bike and singlespeed, I use Shimano PD-M424 or the aluminum caged version PD-M545. I'm sure there may be better alternatives, but these work well for me. I've been using SPDs for a long time, and don't have an interest trying something else.

Kind of off topic, I recently went from SPDs on my road bike to SPD-SL with the new Ultegra pedals (PD-6820). I can't get in those damn things!!!

[OMR]

Originally Posted by mechmann

there needs to be a button for both!

You are absolutely right Justin! Little too late at this point as riders have voted already.

Thanks

OMR

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by mechmann

there needs to be a button for both!

Agreed.

[Evil Chocula]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

Time Atacs are the best pedals I have tried including Egg beaters. I would say that they are one of the best mountain bike products I have used. Me 230lbs mashing on a SS and for three years have even had to lube them. No adjustments, no problem un-clicking and no surprise pop-outs. Fantastic product.

That's funny; I just switched to Atacs a couple of months ago from SPDs, and I've been having troubles getting used to them. Getting in, and getting out.

PS Its has nothing to do with "Chowda" or "da Sox"

Originally Posted by OMR

You are absolutely right Justin! Little too late at this point as riders have voted already.

Thanks

OMR

I thought he meant a button to switch the pedals from clipless to platform!

[nappyt]

Originally Posted by Evil Chocula

That's funny; I just switched to Atacs a couple of months ago from SPDs, and I've been having troubles getting used to them. Getting in, and getting out.

PS Its has nothing to do with "Chowda" or "da Sox"

Did you try the other release setting? Not sure which model you have but I can choose 13 deg or 17 deg. I ride 13 deg most of the time 17 is more for downhill type bumpy stuff. I went with the ATAC because unlike the STD's you don't need to screw with anything. Also I think the 13 deg release is the shortest except for egg beaters which I think are 12 deg or something. Cleat positioning on the shoe is a big thing to if you don't do it right you get a very unsafe "trapped" feeling. Usually you can tell because it doesn't feel right when you pedal. Heel to far in or out stuff like that.

[Evil Chocula]

Originally Posted by nappyt

Did you try the other release setting? Not sure which model you have but I can choose 13 deg or 17 deg. I ride 13 deg most of the time 17 is more for downhill type bumpy stuff. I went with the ATAC because unlike the STD's you don't need to screw with anything. Also I think the 13 deg release is the shortest except for egg beaters which I think are 12 deg or something.

Mine don't have adjustment screws... I can change from 13 to 17 by reversing the cleats though. Is that what your refering too? I'm pretty sure I have them at 13... maybe you can check them out when I show you and the Heckler the Black Diamond at La Costa!

[nappyt]

Originally Posted by Evil Chocula

Mine don't have adjustment screws... I can change from 13 to 17 by reversing the cleats though. Is that what your refering too? I'm pretty sure I have them at 13... maybe you can check them out when I show you and the Heckler the Black Diamond at La Costa!

Thats the adjustment I was talking about. A tour of LC would be nice. I haven't even been down the street to TW yet. Need to grab some pads this weekend first.

You can tell by looking at the cleat. If the L cleat is on the Left shoe then you have the 13 deg release. If the L cleat is on the Right shoe you have the 17 deg release.

Same goes for the other shoe. Like indicators on like shoes are 13 and mixed indicators are 17 deg.

[2wheel_lee]

Oh, something else I wanted to add...

On newbie rides, I generally prefer to ride a hardtail with flats. This is something that many newbies can related to, so they don't feel intimidated that they don't have good enough - or simply enough - suspension.

Also, many newbies feel pressured to go to some kind of clipless pedal system, often before they are probably ready. I've heard many stories from newbies who are terrified to go to clipless pedals - as if they have to. By riding a hardtail with flats, I think it shows that having suspension or clipless pedals is not a requirement for riding (or having fun). In fact, I generally think newbies should start out on a hardtail with flats where they can learn many more riding fundamentals without relying on the bike to do various maneuvers.