Any cyclists using clipless pedals??

[SonnyDaze]

I ride a Gary Fisher Tassajara (when I find the USB cable for my camera I'll post pic ). I mainly ride XC which has a few obstacles (most being logs), small hills and a few drops (10 foot at most).

I'm currently using the platform pedals that came on the bike but the pins are wearing quickly. Not having a slippage problem yet, but want to avoid the shinburgers. If I have to get new pedals I was thinking of going clipless to increase pedaling efficiency and a get a little boost on hill climbs.

Anyone have any suggestions/recommendations on clipless pedals/shoes?

Thanks.

UPDATE: Well I got some Shimano PD-520's and some Diadora Geko shoes. I rode in the backyard for about 30 minutes practicing clipping in/out before I hit the trails. I did a 6 mile trail ride this afternoon and only had one fall. The fall wasn't the fault of the pedals but the pedals did unclip as I fell which I think is a good thing. And I must say that these are a HUGE improvement over platforms in terms of power/speed. Thanks for all the input folks.

 

[DaShen]

Egg Beaters for MTB or just regular cheap SPDs

 

[DivideBYZero]

I ride XC with Xpedo SPD compatible. Get those or some regular Shimano 520's. The Xpedos shift tons of mud, the Shimanos less, but the Xpedos are costlier and harder to find.

You won't go back to platforms after. JUST BE AWARE THAT YOU MUST ADJUST THE RELEASE TENSION OR YOU WILL BREAK YOUR LOWER LEGS IN A CRASH. Make it weak to begin with then tighten it up to the right amount (you'll know this after a while) that holds you in but allows you to unclip when you come off.

/0

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
I ride XC with Xpedo SPD compatible. Get those or some regular Shimano 520's. The Xpedos shift tons of mud, the Shimanos less, but the Xpedos are costlier and harder to find.

You won't go back to platforms after. JUST BE AWARE THAT YOU MUST ADJUST THE RELEASE TENSION OR YOU WILL BREAK YOUR LOWER LEGS IN A CRASH. Make it weak to begin with then tighten it up to the right amount (you'll know this after a while) that holds you in but allows you to unclip when you come off.

/0

Yeah I visited the LBS this week and she had some Shimano 520's there. They have been recommended by others for beginners because they are double sided and the tension can be adjusted.

I was riding with a friend last week (he has Crank Bros Candy's), well he didn't make it up this hill and when he fell he either couldn't or didn't unclip. I watched him and his bike tumble down the hill together. He ended up being okay but I was like....:shocked:

 

[JulesMaximus]

When I had a mtb I had SPD pedals on it. Never had any trouble with them.

I'm back to my roadie ways though so I got rid of my mtb. I have LOOK Carbon KEO pedals on both my road bikes.

 

[Rapidskies]

I like the baskets myself.

 

[40Hands]

I was thinking of getting some clipless eventually.

Although, I really like my platform Azonic A frame pedals right now. Serviceable barrings, and replaceable pins.

I ride a hard tail mountain bike, btw.

 

[zebano]

I use spds on both my mountain and my road bikes.

 

[ISAslot]

I have the Candy C's on mine. It's a hybrid bike leaning more toward a road setup. I wouldn't use them on a mountain bike myself. I do hate that panic feeling like you're gonna fall when there's that delay before I remember to unclip.

 

[RichieZ]

I still have my old Shimano 747's

 

[gsellis]

Had toe clips, now SPDs. Would not go back if I had a choice, Did the required 3 tipover landings and never looked back. Never heard of anyone breaking a leg with too tight tension on MTB. Probably because most have it soft because you need to put a foot down at times. Sounds like a roadie thing

 

[everman]

I use speedplays on my road bike, they're awesome, but not recommended for any bike going in the dirt/mud. They have lots of float which saves your knees and easy to use.

 

[Dirigible]

Originally posted by: SonnyDaze
I ride a Gary Fisher Tassajara (when I find the USB cable for my camera I'll post pic ). I mainly ride XC which has a few obstacles (most being logs), small hills and a few drops (10 foot at most).

I'm currently using the platform pedals that came on the bike but the pins are wearing quickly. Not having a slippage problem yet, but want to avoid the shinburgers. If I have to get new pedals I was thinking of going clipless to increase pedaling efficiency and a get a little boost on hill climbs.

Anyone have any suggestions/recommendations on clipless pedals/shoes?

Thanks.

For XC riding I strongly recommend clipless. I like spd, with egg beaters being the most popular other type with people I ride with. I think the egg beaters do a little better in the mud, but the tension isn't adjustable and if you hit a rock with the bottom of your pedal, your foot'll pop out.

However, a ten foot drop isn't anywhere near XC riding. A ten foot drop is huge. If you're truly doing that sort of thing (as freeriders/downhillers use the term) you should stick with platforms. A quick google image search listed this, which is less than a ten foot drop: drop

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: gsellis
Had toe clips, now SPDs. Would not go back if I had a choice, Did the required 3 tipover landings and never looked back. Never heard of anyone breaking a leg with too tight tension on MTB. Probably because most have it soft because you need to put a foot down at times. Sounds like a roadie thing

:laugh: Yeah the guys I ride with have told me to just accept the fact that I AM going to fall a few times until I get used to the pedals. I think I'll do some backyard riding for a week or so practicing to clip in/out.

Originally posted by: everman
I use speedplays on my road bike, they're awesome, but not recommended for any bike going in the dirt/mud. They have lots of float which saves your knees and easy to use.

Speedplays...wow those are nice (and $$) from what I've read. Float is one thing I'm a little concerned about though. I'm 40 (41 on Monday ) and I spent quite a few years in the military doing some heavy running. The knees have held up pretty well so far but I don't want to start having problems with them now because of a pedal with not enough float.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I just got some cheap Shimano SPDs. They seem to work fine and I've not had too many problems cleaning mud out of them.

Just be sure to tune them before you go out on the trail. Make sure you can get your cleats in and out of the pedals with minimal difficulty. I made the mistake of trying to use mine out of the box. They were tightened all the way up. I ended up biking about a mile.....when I stopped, I couldn't get my shoes out of the pedals. I ended up falling over with my feet still stuck to the pedals and luckily, got some help from a friend to get my feet out of my shoes.

It was embarrassing, but then it was my first pair.

 

[Bacstar]

I have these on my mtn bike: Shimano M545's.

http://www.extremesports.ltd.uk/mtb/product129-354.htm

I have them set really loose. You definitely need to practice getting in and out of them enough until it becomes second nature before trying anything really technical or risk of falling to your death is high.

 

[Dirigible]

Originally posted by: SonnyDaze

Originally posted by: gsellis
Had toe clips, now SPDs. Would not go back if I had a choice, Did the required 3 tipover landings and never looked back. Never heard of anyone breaking a leg with too tight tension on MTB. Probably because most have it soft because you need to put a foot down at times. Sounds like a roadie thing

:laugh: Yeah the guys I ride with have told me to just accept the fact that I AM going to fall a few times until I get used to the pedals. I think I'll do some backyard riding for a week or so practicing to clip in/out.

Originally posted by: everman
I use speedplays on my road bike, they're awesome, but not recommended for any bike going in the dirt/mud. They have lots of float which saves your knees and easy to use.

Speedplays...wow those are nice (and $$) from what I've read. Float is one thing I'm a little concerned about though. I'm 40 (41 on Monday ) and I spent quite a few years in the military doing some heavy running. The knees have held up pretty well so far but I don't want to start having problems with them now because of a pedal with not enough float.

I've a friend who's significantly older than you, has horrible knees, and has no problems that stem from the clipless. Float is good, setting up the cleats so your feet are in a comfortable, natural position is good, and definitely set the tension really really low at first. You'll still probably fall over and feel silly.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I had a road bit(buying a new one soon) and i had clipless. At first I hated the idea of being stuck in and was scared of falling over. Its a lot easier to get use to then you think it is. Now I would never dream of riding any considerable distance without being clipped in. You feel like your in so much more control and since you can pull up on the strokes as well as push down its great. They are also pretty easy to clip out incase of an emergency or stop...(yes i've fallen over )

 

[Shortcut]

yeah, clipless pedals are very convenient to use (once you learn em)...except for those infernal Time pedals

 

[KMc]

Originally posted by: everman
I use speedplays on my road bike, they're awesome, but not recommended for any bike going in the dirt/mud. They have lots of float which saves your knees and easy to use.

Same here. Great pedals for fixed gears as well.

 

[gsellis]

If you were in N. GA, I would tell you to sort it out at Gainsville College (SORBA Gainsville maintained). Pick an intermediate to do about 5-10 miles on for the first couple of rides.

 

[SonnyDaze]

Got the Shimano 520's.....