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MTB shoes
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
hey guys,
after seeing a few of cleet caused crashes( going-round-corners-to-fast-and-not-being-being-able-to-put-your-foot-down-quick-enough-so-you-smash-in-to-a-tree type crashes)i am not so keen on them. so, i just wanted to know, are there any kind of shoes/pedals that i can buy that will give me better grip on the manly dam type rides.
thanks everyone
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Flat / platform style pedals are what you are referring to. There are different types, becoming more aggressive in their design as they approach the DH/Freeride style of use. If you are doing basic XC riding, you probably may not need to bother about those. These DH pedals are larger, more expensive, and will take big gashes out of your shins if they slap against you!
However the screw in pins on the pedals are great for gripping your feet. Try some platform pedals from Shimano, Crank Bros or similar. They should work well for you and be fairly cheap (under $60). Make sure you buy sealed bearing pedals otherwise they will wear down inside of a year. More expensive sealed bearing pedals go for about $100 or so.
Shoes are similar to basketball shoes, or running shoes, or walking shoes. It is the sole shape, pattern, design, and materials that determines how grippy your feet will be on the pedals. You would be really surprised to know how much of a difference the correct footwear makes on a flat pedal. My preference for shoes are the 5-10 brand used by Hill and Rennie. They come in low, mid or high cut. But there are plenty of good shoe designs out there. Do some research about shoes at Chain Reaction Cycles. They have heaps.
thats great thanks,
i bought some shin guards about six months ago, i now have five scars from pedals slapping my legs.
thanks for the info on the helmet as well
cya
It's not the pedals, mate. It's the trees jumping out in front of you. Liam also has this problem.
Stick with it, clipped in is best. Practice. Lots.
thanks mate, i will
I'm with delicious - clipped in is the way to go.
It can be a bit disconcerting at first especially if, like me, you're a gumby. You'll have a couple of the overbalancing-at-slow-speed type tumbles - everybody does. It's just practice until the usage becomes automated. So long as you remember to take the fall as a roll and don't just stick your hand straight out you'll be fine.
It's mainly for confidence I suppose, but I have forearm/elbow and knee pads that I use when I'm riding a new technical trail for the first time, for just in case. My son has commented that since getting them I haven't tipped over, so maybe it's mental as much as skills.
The thing I like best is not being at such arisk of having my chunks chewed out of my shin or calf by the pedal, and not having to worry about my feet rattling off. ANd it focusses the mind wonderfully on picking the correct line.
right thanks, so i guess cleets are the way to go,
thanks for the info everyone
The DH flat pedals I started out on ripped my shoes to bits within a few months
After 6 months I eventually changed to cleats and Crank Bros Eggbeater pedals. I haven't looked back since (To be honest the thought of riding on flats scares me to death now). I wear the Shimano M122 shoe, I found them the most comforatable and stable of the shoes I tried on in Bike Addiction. Definitely reccomend them.
Phil
thats great thanks, i am actually going there today so ill try them on
thanks,cya
Remember folks that no matter which riding type or style, clipped in causes the rider to be in the optimum position, every time, to get proper drive out of their legs and also to be comfy on the bike. When going down this path, also address saddle position and bar position, and become one with your bike/s.
I do realise this sounds all philosophical and zen yet it really does matter. Truly.
I've just started using cleats with my mtb bike. Self preservation does eventually kick in. If you don't go too fast, you usually have time to unclip, anyway. Just don't have Christine riding behind you, 'cause she'll make you fall over, no matter what
Try some Crank bros eggbeaters, very fast to get in/out of; you can even get them with platforms if you haven't ridden with cleats much.
Murray here has forgotten to mention he's an expert!
IMHO Crank Bros pedals are not as easy to get into at least (I admit they release nice) as SPDs. For a newbie think I'd recommend SPDs (set real loose to begin) over them is all.
Not wanting to get into a Eggbeater v's SPD argument, but just wanted to offer my thoughts as someone who has made the switch from flats to cleats in the last 12mths
Personally I think Crank Bros Eggbeaters are the bomb! 4 sides to clip in (SPD's only 2) and so easy to get out of. With SPD's I hear time and time again about riders needing to adjust the pedal, complaining that they are either too tight or too loose. The Eggbeaters don't need adjusting, they just work, simple. Crank Bros designed them so well that they are pretty faultless. They're great in all weather conditions, even the foulest of mud can't keep the pedal from functioning. I was drawn straight to them as a cleat noob. Sure I've had a few slow speed spills, but then haven't we all?
BTW Crank Bros do offer the Eggbeater mechanism in a variety of pedals. Me, I just love the plain old vanilla Eggbeater, but as mentioned in previous post you can get them with platforms, they're called 'Candy'.
Finally, it's worth mentioning. Since moving to Crank Bros, my other MTB mates loved them so much that they too switched from SPDs. Now we get to play on each others bikes, and can swap bikes mid-race if any one of us has a mechanical problem
I strongly recommend Time pedals. I have used Shimano SPD's, I have Time's on my XC bike and Crank Brothers on my DH bike.
Out of the three I have found Time to be the best. Positive engagement, no hassles when muddy, and solidly locked in.