You are hereForums / By Discipline / Mountain (off road) / MTB Gear / clip in peddles
clip in peddles
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Having just completed the DW100 with flat peddles (I think i was the only one that was not clipped in) i think its about time for me to graduate to clip ins.
I mainly ride Red Hill and have seen some unfortunate incidents with people not clipping out in time..
Looking at whats available, I see that there are some clip in peddles that are incorporated in a flat peddle, seems that this might be useful for both occasions.
Should I bother with those or are they just the worst of both ( not a good clip in and not a good flat peddle )..
thanks in advance
- Login to post comments
- Bookmark & share
Tags
Go the whole hog and get clip ins. I have flat / clip in combined on my commuter bike, also used for short rides without cycle shoes and the pedals fit the purpose, but if your bike is dedicated to MTB then get clip ins. If you decide on the half and half option I would be a little wary of the cheap Wellgos I use as the float is not good compared to my Shimano clip ins which can lead to leg/joint problems.
Can recommend these pedals
large flat area, Cleat tension adjustment, easy 12.5' entry and exit
http://www.phantomcycles.com.au/p-310-shimano-pd...
I'll check them out.. at least I can now spell "pedal" correctly
thanks!
+1 on the 647's
Ironic that you mention Red Hill as your local track. That's the only place I don't ride clipped in!
Red Hill is the reason that I have been so hesitant in taking the clipped in option. but alas I'm not ever going to attempt another 100 not clipped in.
Switching pedals is a 5 min job if you still want to ride unclipped at red hill
IMHO I've said it before and I'll say it again.
When it comes to MTB there is only one pedal to rule them all - Crank Brothers Eggbeaters
http://crankbrothers.com/eggbeater.php
Not for downhill...
What difference would a platform make if you're clipped in?
The platform makes no diff when you're clipped in.
It's there for when you're not. Eg: when you're dabbing a foot in highly technical terrain.
Or for example, if you're practicing wheelies.
The platform cage around the clipless pedals means you can do a few pedal strokes before clipping in. I have found them much better then the normal clipless pedals when there was a technical section that had a short run up or when you have to dab a foot. They are also much easier to get the cleat clipped in.
I use these http://www.phantomcycles.com.au/p-309-shimano-pd... but the M647 will be much better in mud and only cost $10 more.
Also the shimano pedals have adjustable release tension so you can set how much force is required to get your foot out.
I learnt clipless on Shimano’s M424 pedals. They’ve got a good platform so you can take off and start pedalling without clipping in immediately. I’ve since upgraded to a set of Time ATAC XS. These are great. There’s a good amount of float and the cleats clip in with a good solid ‘clunk’. Very easily adjustable too.
But you want an entry level pedal and I think the M424 is a good choice.
I'vd tried just about all the shimano clipless pedals.
Conclusion after 15 years of riding Shimano Clipless on everything .. Commuting, enduros, trail riding, 4X and DH.
Personal favoruties that are on my bikes....
M647 for DH and 4X - larger platfrom for high speed and really rough trails.
M545 for Trail riding - the smaller platforms over the 647's hits less stuff such as rock gardens narrow chutes etc. The cage adds heaps of stabilty over the non caged version. Any one who says the caged version adds nothing when clipped in is talking bollocks if you ride rough trails such as red hill. The cage gives your foot a whole heap more to push around on when moving your body in rough trails.
Save the the non caged versions for XC / Commuting or weight weenie bikes.
The M424 version is same shape as the 545 but Ive seen so many broken plastic cages, just go the 545 metal version if you have the coin.
The 647 is overkill for trail riding, the larger cage gets in the way on rocky trails.
Enjoy...going clipless is one of the great joys of MTBing
I found that the shimano clip in system gathers and retains mud and, over here, sand alot. You either can't clip in or clip out. Not good.
crank bros handle this a lot better, i'd never go back to shimano.
That's one of the benefits of the Times too. Excellent in the muddy/sandy stuff. Their open design makes for easy clipping in and out when it's muddy.
the newer shimano design is a lot better for clearing crud. I still prefer the feel of the Crank Bro but resent how quickly the cleats wear compared to the spds.
I've just had the same issue as you. I've had Shimano SPDs since I bought my first bike and learnt the hard way around the Manly Dam in the early days falling off whilst clipped in and scratching the frame. Apart from about 1 year on flats I use the clip ins and often unclip the right foot when doing tricky stuff just in case. Doable but not great.
I've just bought a new bike and do not want to make the same mistakes again so have just got some Crank Bros Mallet 1. Big platform with clip ins enabling you to have support if you want to unclip. If you are not too bothered about saving weight then check these out.
However I haven't been out in them yet but now that DW is over I will! So I'll let you know how they go.
and perhaps enough time before my next 100 to try out both.
thanks
I'll sell you my Crank Bro's Candies 'C' for $50. They are black, I hardly used them, I'll give you the little Crank Bro's cleat things off the bottom of the shoes too if ya like. The cleats have some scratches from me walking in them, but they all get that I think..
http://www.crankbrothers.com/candy_c.php
My black ones will match your bike. Black goes with everything!
Ja_har you are spot on with the broken cage bit. I have a set of M424 which before dirtworks I cut off the cages as one was broken and would spin arount stopping the shoe clipping in... of cause right when you b=need it the most. In hind sight it would be worth the extra coin to get the alloy cage (M545) other wise they are good peddals, and still work well with out a cage.
cheer
dk
Having grown up with cleats and straps when I was a kid, and the eventual progression to clipless pedals was a godsend. I've always had clip in pedals on the road and my mtb.
Years ago I wanted a pedal on my mtb that could be used with a normal shoe and my clipins (used the bike to get parts etc at work). I bought a pair of VP's (I can't remember the P number). They have been great and done many many miles.
They use the SPD clip, and have a cast alloy outer and inner, and the cross pieces are steel. They are quite a heavy pedal, but can take one hell of a bashing!
However, if you wear a softish soled shoe when riding these, I found the clipin part of the pedal would be uncomfortable (as it sticks up in readiness for you to slide the cleat on the shoe into the clip). I can't afford a decent set of mtb clipins on my new bike (been many years off the bike), so I'll make do with the duals, until they break then I will go back to a dedicated clip in pedal. This will save a fair hunk of weight and give me a little more clearance for pedalling. The plan is a set of XTR's of the new Carbon Times. But the budget will always dictate what I end up with... haha
Once you've gone clipins, you'll never go back. Well until your next DH. lol