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clip in's
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Hi, I have decided,after some thought, I am ready to start riding with clip in's. I have my heart set on a pair of Crank Bros. Do I need a specific shoe or are they all combatable? eg will shimano or diadora shoes clip in?
Thanks
Trev
ps. can you buy Dettol in a 20L drum, I may need a bit 
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Trev,
Most clip-in (clipless) pedals have cleats which screw into the sole of your cycling shoe via 2 holes that should be in the right place already in your shoes....most shoes can take most cleats. Check this out: http://www.crankbrothers.com/support/video_cleat...
Enjoy
Most cleats fit a cycle specific shoe. You can get two types of shoe primarily - road and MTB. Road are lighter, have no tread on the sole and sometimes different fittings, MTB have usually a rubber sole, more water proof sometimes, etc. Go for MTB.
Also, if you're unsure buy or borrow some elbow guards and even knee guards to start. That way you don't have the pain of falling off in the back of your mind.
Lastly, make sure the screws on your cleats are tight. If they are loose, you can't unclip. Some prefer to learn with Shimano SPDs as they are cheaper and you can adjust the tension, making it easier to clip out, increasing tension as they go. Then move to Crank Brothers - which are a great pedal. Others of course just go straight with the CB, higher learning curve but better mud clearance etc. Depends on your confidence.
Go straight for the Crank Bros. That's what I did. You'll love 'em.
Go the Crank Brothers pedals.
Padding (shin and elbow guards) is not a bad idea for the first few rides as there is a bit of a learning curve.
But the riding benefits are immediately obvious and it only gets better as you get experience.
I like the feel and ease of use of crank bro but be aware the cleats do wear a lot quicker than shimano.
The premium cleats last a bit long but I still fin my self replacing them more then I ever did the shimanos
Hi Trev,
I've used various forms of Crank Brothers and Shimano cleats and I much prefer the CBs for a few reasons: ease of engaging and disengaging (4 sides instead of two), never had an issue with mud, no spring tensions to worry about - just set up your cleats one way to disengage easier or flip them to the other foot for a stronger engagement.
Their cleats will fit most common brands of shoes (look for SPD compatible) on the market and the ones they don't fit should advertise that fact.
Also, as luck would have it, I have a set of brand new Crank Brothers Candy X pedals and cleats advertised in the Classifieds if you're interested:
http://nobmob.com/node/13031
The advantage of these pedals for a beginner is that the have all the benefits of the Eggbeater model with a small platform around them for added stability if you don't quite get in first go.
PM if you want to know more.
If the shoes you get have carbon soles, I believe here's a CB sole protector that's worth investing in to stop the pedals from earing through the carbon.
Get the elbow+forearm guards. I used to freeze up at technical sections from fear of not being able to get my feet out and knocking bony upper body bits on sharp rocks. Consequently I used to fall off a lot more than I should.
The guards lessened that fear, so I relaxed and made my shape on te bike a lot better, leading me to flow over/through the sections a lot better... and I stopped falling over because I was concentrating on where I needed to go instead of on the things that might make me fall off.
Just curious as I have always used spd's but just got some candys. How does the release angle change for both shoes depending depending on what shoe you install the marked cleat (with circles) on. I would understand if there was a front and back but there isn't
http://www.crankbrothers.com/support/video_cleat...
Candy X pedals wish I got them first they are great
I tested them today and they seem good. The true test is tomorrow at Awaba which is going to be sweeeet....
I used them today on the trail and were good. Maybe a litte harder to find the cleat and clip in first go but will stick with them.
candy C's about a week ago. I have had a few "moments" but have managed to keep all my blood on the inside
.I find they aren't too hard to clip out of (compared to my expectations) but I am still having trouble clipping in, especially in techy sections. I'm sure I will get used to them though. Love the look of them over spd pedals and at $30 (CRC) I don't think I can go too far wrong. My cheap, ill fitting shoes don't help lots though. Off to LBS for a new pair before Dirtworx.
joined us in the clipins ,you find pedalling a lot easier now ? They will take a while to get used to them if you aren't confident sometimes ride with one foot unclipped ,I still do on some tracks I ride
Did my somewhat techy Red Hill ride last weekend with no huge probs, so i figure it's going to be a "big one" if (when) it all turns pear shaped
. I have found when riding on the flat / slight up I have picked up about 3kph so I'm pretty stoked. Big up is still my lack of fitness and down "is all in your mind" so I've been told 
Hello Trev,
I've got the Crank Bros, but have yet to use them! The bike shop forgot to give them to me when I picked up the bike with the Crank Bros pedals installed (and I didn't ask because I'm a great big newbie...).
I'm expecting at least a few stacks because of these, but worth it in the long run... right?
Good luck with it.
D
If you live near a park, then I recommend you practice clipping in and unclipping there. Grass is a lot nice to fall onto than a dirty rocky trail.
Even fall over on purpose, so you get a feel of what to expect and what your feet are doing when it happens for real, eventually unclipping becomes second nature. Persevere, it WILL get easier, I promise.
Phil
You'll love 'em
The advice I was given when I got my first proper bike was to ride on flats for a while till you get used to it and some local trails, then go to clipins. This seems to have worked for me, then Phil's advice is the go (not sure about the fall over on purpose, but whatever works). Still have'nt had a big one yet and after about 2 weeks am getting to the point where I don't really have to think about clipping out.
Hope this helps.
Trev
Dunno if there is the same scope for adjustment with the Crank Bros stuff as there is with spd cleats, but I found it useful to do a few laps of my backyard, where I could stop without unclipping first by pulling up next to the clothes line and / or pool filter box, until I was happy with the adjustment (ie ease of "unclip").
Still didn't stop me falling over a few times on the first ride - at 6'7" (and in my late 40's) it took a while for the message pathways from brain to feet to be reprogrammed. But your average spd stack is usually low speed - you just have to remember not to come to a stop next to any cliffs, crevices or other situations that might make a simple sideways tumble a more serious event - and try to avoid an otb stack until you've got it sorted (now THAT can be painful).
Once you've "got it", it's second nature. You'll find you unclip without even thinking about it.
I used to have Shimano SPD's. They were alright but then I went to Time ATACs. World's better.
Never gets clogged with mud, easy to get in/out of, less accidental unclipping.
And as proof of how easy it is to get out of.....look at me bailing out of an OTB. I actually landed on my feet!
+1 for the Time ATACs for the same reasons as Buck. I've even had an OTB in the exact same spot - and I also landed on my feet!
Let's add another pedal to the mix to confuse me even more....., j/k
Have been thinking of clipping in for a while now after getting into MTBing end of last year. Have "some" confidence up so figure it's now or never. Had it down to the Shimano 647 or the CB Candy Cs as they seem to be liked well enough about the place.
Can you tell me what flavour of ATACs you guys have and why you chose them over the other flavours of ATACs?
I just got the basic Time ATAC XS model. It is one of the lower end models as I am not enough of a weight weenie to go the carbone and titanium ones.
I got it as this is the ATAC for XC style riding. It also has adjustable release tension which is handy when starting out. You can also adjust the release angle by the way you mount the cleats....similar to Crank Bros.
Will check them out.
BTW Trev. You've inspired me! Well done on "keeping the blood on the inside" for the time being!
As we all know though, you don't need clips to lose blood, at least I don't.... or break ribs which is the really annoying one cause there's no visible sign and takes weeks and weeks to heal properly.
Now, being fairly new, I'm off to do a search of which shoes to get as well. If I don't find some threads, I will make one.
I got those too. Very happy with them.