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#1
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Clipless pedals: lets beat a dead horse...
....but slightly differently.
I've been riding my FS bike with toe clips and straps which are real easy to slip out of. I had planned on upgrading to clipless as I got use to the bike BUT during this learning time most of my riding has changed from XC/minor bump single track to more all mountain/minor freeride/technical type riding. Needless to say, due to the more technical and rapid riding, I'm falling or coming close to falling much more than I use to. In the mountain bike mags I rarely see the riders using the clipless setup. Its only the pure XC type riders that seem to use them. There must be a reason for this? And I'm guess its cause clipless are, for lack of better term, 'less safe' i.e. hinders one's abilities and balance too much during on the edge maneuvers. (Heh, I'd like to see BMX riders using clipless, HA!) I'm never used or tried clipless so I really have no clue as to what they feel like. I do downhill ski very well so if its anything similar to that 'locked in a binding' type feel I know what thats like. I really don't feel like shelling out $200 for some decent clipless pedals and shoes if I'm not going to put them to good use most of the time. I guess the bottom line question is, what kind of riding do clipless pedals become a hindrance and make their use more of a paranoia hazard annoyance than helpful? |
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#2
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Clipless pedals: lets beat a dead horse...
"Destroy" wrote in message ... ...but slightly differently. I've been riding my FS bike with toe clips and straps which are real easy to slip out of. I had planned on upgrading to clipless as I got use to the bike BUT during this learning time most of my riding has changed from XC/minor bump single track to more all mountain/minor freeride/technical type riding. Needless to say, due to the more technical and rapid riding, I'm falling or coming close to falling much more than I use to. In the mountain bike mags I rarely see the riders using the clipless setup. Its only the pure XC type riders that seem to use them. There must be a reason for this? And I'm guess its cause clipless are, for lack of better term, 'less safe' i.e. hinders one's abilities and balance too much during on the edge maneuvers. (Heh, I'd like to see BMX riders using clipless, HA!) I'm never used or tried clipless so I really have no clue as to what they feel like. I do downhill ski very well so if its anything similar to that 'locked in a binding' type feel I know what thats like. I really don't feel like shelling out $200 for some decent clipless pedals and shoes if I'm not going to put them to good use most of the time. I guess the bottom line question is, what kind of riding do clipless pedals become a hindrance and make their use more of a paranoia hazard annoyance than helpful? I like'em, and would never go without. I'm pretty much just a cross country rider, but do get into technical stuff sometimes that requires me to have to bail/dab. I've never had a problem getting out of them when needed. The worst fall I ever had was when I was still using platform pedals. My right foot slipped off while riding a steep rutted downhill. It was not pretty. There are clipless pedals that incorporate platforms wich may interest you. One that comes to mind is offered by Crank Brothers. |
#3
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Clipless pedals: lets beat a dead horse...
Destroy wrote:
...but slightly differently. I've been riding my FS bike with toe clips and straps which are real easy to slip out of. I had planned on upgrading to clipless as I got use to the bike BUT during this learning time most of my riding has changed from XC/minor bump single track to more all mountain/minor freeride/technical type riding. Needless to say, due to the more technical and rapid riding, I'm falling or coming close to falling much more than I use to. This is a question that you need to answer for yourself. As I'm sure you're no doubt aware, there is a trade-off between the two. Clipless (combined with cycling shoes) offer greater pedalling efficiency, but that comes at the cost of freedom. In the mountain bike mags I rarely see the riders using the clipless setup. Its only the pure XC type riders that seem to use them. There must be a reason for this? You don't see 'freeriders' in magazines using clipless, but then you don't need cycling efficiency when you're falling off a building. As for only 'pure XC' riders using clipless, that's utter tosh. If you took a poll here, everybody, with a couple of notable exceptions, uses clipless. Why? Because it makes riding easier - more of your effort goes directly in to pedalling the bike forward, and they're easy enough to clip out of in technical sections that it's not a problems. However, these issues are less important if you're just going downhill or through the air. And I'm guess its cause clipless are, for lack of better term, 'less safe' i.e. hinders one's abilities and balance too much during on the edge maneuvers. (Heh, I'd like to see BMX riders using clipless, HA!) Take a look at AA pro motos and then reiterate that statement. All of the top racers use clipless (except Neal Wood). I'm never used or tried clipless so I really have no clue as to what they feel like. I do downhill ski very well so if its anything similar to that 'locked in a binding' type feel I know what thats like. A bit, but you have a lot more flexibility. Your feet can twist and roll from side to side within certain degrees, and unclipping is a lot easier. So in summary, it's actually nothing like ski bindings I really don't feel like shelling out $200 for some decent clipless pedals and shoes if I'm not going to put them to good use most of the time. Try something cheaper first then. You can pick up a decent set up for less than $100. I guess the bottom line question is, what kind of riding do clipless pedals become a hindrance and make their use more of a paranoia hazard annoyance than helpful? Work out what you're going to do and make a decision based on that. If you have no intention of riding uphills ever again, then platforms are the way to go. Apart from that, you're in a grey area that comes down to personal preference. Take Spademan. He's a bmxer who tried several versions of clipless and couldn't get on with them. He rides XC, but uses platforms. Then there's me. I'm a bmxer too, but feel more than comfortable in clipless on a mtb. I'll happily go jumping or do large drops in clipless (although anything over about 8 foot or so, I'd use platforms). Have a look at clipless with platforms: Shimano 646, Time Z and Crank Bros platform. Not very comfortable in just shoes, but might offer the compromise you're looking for. Pays yers money, takes yers choice... |
#4
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Clipless pedals: lets beat a dead horse...
"Destroy" wrote in message ... ...but slightly differently. I've been riding my FS bike with toe clips and straps which are real easy to slip out of. I had planned on upgrading to clipless as I got use to the bike BUT during this learning time most of my riding has changed from XC/minor bump single track to more all mountain/minor freeride/technical type riding. Needless to say, due to the more technical and rapid riding, I'm falling or coming close to falling much more than I use to. In the mountain bike mags I rarely see the riders using the clipless setup. Its only the pure XC type riders that seem to use them. There must be a reason for this? And I'm guess its cause clipless are, for lack of better term, 'less safe' i.e. hinders one's abilities and balance too much during on the edge maneuvers. (Heh, I'd like to see BMX riders using clipless, HA!) I'm never used or tried clipless so I really have no clue as to what they feel like. I do downhill ski very well so if its anything similar to that 'locked in a binding' type feel I know what thats like. I really don't feel like shelling out $200 for some decent clipless pedals and shoes if I'm not going to put them to good use most of the time. I guess the bottom line question is, what kind of riding do clipless pedals become a hindrance and make their use more of a paranoia hazard annoyance than helpful? I have clipless and I only use them for racing. I always use flats when I ride for fun. I think a lot of people jump into clipless too fast without learning some basic skills with flats. http://www.mountainbike.com/mbhelp/s...01_flats.shtml |
#5
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Clipless pedals: lets beat a dead horse...
"Destroy" wrote in message ... ...but slightly differently. I've been riding my FS bike with toe clips and straps which are real easy to slip out of. I had planned on upgrading to clipless as I got use to the bike BUT during this learning time most of my riding has changed from XC/minor bump single track to more all mountain/minor freeride/technical type riding. Needless to say, due to the more technical and rapid riding, I'm falling or coming close to falling much more than I use to. In the mountain bike mags I rarely see the riders using the clipless setup. Its only the pure XC type riders that seem to use them. There must be a reason for this? And I'm guess its cause clipless are, for lack of better term, 'less safe' i.e. hinders one's abilities and balance too much during on the edge maneuvers. (Heh, I'd like to see BMX riders using clipless, HA!) I'm never used or tried clipless so I really have no clue as to what they feel like. I do downhill ski very well so if its anything similar to that 'locked in a binding' type feel I know what thats like. I really don't feel like shelling out $200 for some decent clipless pedals and shoes if I'm not going to put them to good use most of the time. I guess the bottom line question is, what kind of riding do clipless pedals become a hindrance and make their use more of a paranoia hazard annoyance than helpful? When I ride flats I feel like I'm out of touch with the bike and the ride. I know that there are many people who don't like to be clipped in but I feel like I have more control. Another point here is that many times I ride in wet/damp conditions. Before I had clipless my foot slipped off the pedals quite a bit. Once though it slipped to the front on the way down a steep section. The chain ring bit the back of my calf. That left a mark. Marty |
#6
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Clipless pedals: lets beat a dead horse...
bomba says:
If you took a poll here, everybody, with a couple of notable exceptions, uses clipless. "A couple of notable exceptions" - damned with faint praise again! Ah, well, such is life...... Steve |
#7
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Clipless pedals: lets beat a dead horse...
On Sat, 09 Aug 2003 22:30:58 +0000, Stephen Baker did issue forth:
bomba says: If you took a poll here, everybody, with a couple of notable exceptions, uses clipless. "A couple of notable exceptions" - damned with faint praise again! Nah, you need half-clips. Huw aRe throwing in odd-ball opinions in Rimmer's absence |
#8
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Clipless pedals: lets beat a dead horse...
Destroy wrote in message ...
...but slightly differently. Needless to say, due to the more technical and rapid riding, I'm falling or coming close to falling much more than I use to. In the mountain bike mags I rarely see the riders using the clipless setup. Some of the magazines I read the women use strap ons and chase each other around the room with bull whips. I haven't met any that do this in person. Reality doesn't necessarily reflect what you see in magazines. Its only the pure XC type riders that seem to use them. There must be a reason for this? What exactally is a "pure XC type" rider? This seems to be just about everyone I know and ride with. I figure when it comes to Mountain Biking there is XC which means you go up and down hill, or Downhill where you get dropped off at the top. And I'm guess its cause clipless are, for lack of better term, 'less safe' i.e. hinders one's abilities and balance too much during on the edge maneuvers. Matter of opinion. Downhill racers use platforms, I guess it depends on what terrain you are riding. I have ridden with a lot of people who have put a lot of miles on their bikes over some pretty rough stuff that would disagree with your guess. I guess the bottom line question is, what kind of riding do clipless pedals become a hindrance and make their use more of a paranoia hazard annoyance than helpful? You are the only one who can answer that. Unfortunately the only way to know is to buy the shoes. Maybe you can borrow someones pedals? SPD pedals are a cheap way to get into clipless though, they can be had for $40 and you can generally find a cheap pair of shoes for less than $30. If you decide you like them then you can start looking at the $200 stuff. -- The Ogre http://ogrehut.net |
#9
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Clipless pedals: lets beat a dead horse...
I guess the bottom line question is, what kind of riding do clipless
pedals become a hindrance and make their use more of a paranoia hazard annoyance than helpful? Generally, use flat pedals when... (a) you can't be clipped in for stunts (BMX) (b) it will be significantly advantageous to not be attached to the bike in the event of a mishap (DH) (c) you just don't want to (fear, no money, lazy etc) Otherwise the advantages of clipless warrant their use. There will be a learning curve; you will fall some, and it will pass. |
#10
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Clipless pedals: lets beat a dead horse...
I have been riding for almost 7 years now and I started on platforms until I
got a decent bike. I think that it is best to learn some basic and intermediate skills on platforms and then upgrade to clipless for the added power (and IMO, control) and for prices, I have seen them for under $40 CAD (Pyramids - Oh so similar to the Popular Ritchey Pedals - http://www.bikeroom.com/product.cfm?ProductID=332) and even shoes can be cheap. I ride a pair of old Richey pedals with a new pair of Answer Palisade shoes (I paid $89.99 CAD for the shoes) All the BS about the un-safeness of clipless is a myth! the only time i fell because of my pedals was the first time riding on them. (Funny story - almost took out a large family of Japanese tourists in Whistler, BC) If you are worried about not having time to clip in to them, say on a steep uphill after a stop, invest in a pair of clipless with a platform around them (such as Shimano 646s - http://www.bikeroom.com/product.cfm?ProductID=117). oh well - enjoy whatever decision you make ride on, ride hard - keep it rowdy mark |
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