should I go clipless?

[dain84]

I just started racing and I'm 15. I want to know if clipless pedals really do make you faster? Also, what are some cheap ones that aren't crappy? People say they are faster with them but are they really? And why?

[alcahueteria]

from a mountain biker...clipless makes you faster because you can pull up too, instead of just being able to push down, therefore you use more muscles and it takes longer to tire out. If faster is what you want, I think you should give them a shot.
there's a discussion over there about the pedal/shoe bundles if your interested... http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=101223

[twahl]

Using clipless will make you faster, smoother, and be able to jump more confidently. I ran Shimano 424s when I was racing.

[MadMan2k]

I wouldn't go clipless for BMX, even racing. Seems to me like you might have to bail occasionally, and caught up in the crowd, you might not have the presence of mind to unclip, and might have the bike fall with you and break a leg or something like that.

[dain84]

how much would it cost me to get the clipless shoes and some decent but cheap pedals?

[twahl]

how much would it cost me to get the clipless shoes and some decent but cheap pedals?

Check out Dan's Competition (http://www.danscomp.com) . You should be able to get pedals and a pair of compatible Van's for under $100. For what it's worth, when I was racing crashing wasn't exactly an unknown to me. Being clipped in was never a problem. I was intimidated by it at first, and did occasionally have problems on the gate, but I found that the benefits outweighed any of those issues.

[dain84]

bump

[twahl]

thread bumping is generally considered distateful. You aren't likely to get a lot of replies to the question because most of the BMX riders here don't race. They are into dirtjumping, flatland, whatever, but not racing. So for the most part they don't have any useful feedback. I raced about 3 years, but I was twice your age when I started. The last year, I went to clipless after watching so many racers that were faster, smoother, and more capable jumping than I thought I could ever be. They still were, but I got a little closer and finished 2nd in my class for the year in Virginia. That's what my opinion is based on, clipless helped me improve more than any other piece of equipment ever did.

[MadMan2k]

I guess it comes down to if you want to have fun racing somewhat casually, or win as much as possible...

I might run clipless on a road bike, but I enjoy being able to ride my bikes in regular shoes.

[KinetikBiker]

I just started racing and I'm 15. I want to know if clipless pedals really do make you faster? Also, what are some cheap ones that aren't crappy? People say they are faster with them but are they really? And why?

i dont race....but honestly i think clipless pedals are like cheating...becuase your feet are locked in and so you dont have to worry about slipping the pedals or getting a shinner....(people are gona be mad at me that race with clips now) i just think that if you cant or dont want to race without clips then you suck.....beartraps and other racing pedals are fine but clips are for sissys.....
now dont forget i dont race so dont get mad at what i said....

[KtecR]

I used to race BMX and never ran clipless... I guess I was just scared until one race:

The group in the race was small, something like 4 people. Ironically 3 of us wrecked including me. One guy who was running clipless couldn't get up as fast even though he was a way faster rider than me, leading to my 2nd place position. My .02

[KinetikBiker]

Also, what are some cheap ones that aren't crappy?

ya cheap clipless pedals is an oxy moron... (however you spell that)

[dain84]

I found some 40 dollar wellgos that have pretty good reviews.

[iweargirlspants]

you could get shot at!

[dain84]

you could get shot at!
you have to be the worst poster ever. I hope you get shot at!

[queensrider86]

you have to be the worst poster ever. I hope you get shot at!


this kid makes so many irrelevant statements. he probably takes those little cheese buses to school....

[iweargirlspants]

this kid makes so many irrelevant statements. he probably takes those little cheese buses to school....


sorry but ive been out of school for almost a year now, and what the hell is a cheese bus? and is it swiss or american?

[queensrider86]

the yellow buses that special ed kids take

[iweargirlspants]

the yellow buses that special ed kids take


ohhh you mean the short bus? that looks like a normal size bus but smaller. that has no apparent resemblance to cheese what so ever ok i gotcha now.

[KinetikBiker]

the yellow buses that special ed kids take
is that why you know about it???? ha ha

[alcahueteria]

maybe he meant cheddar cause they are both yellow?

[iweargirlspants]

maybe he meant cheddar cause they are both yellow?

no matter what the case still horrible.

[MadMan2k]

Maybe I use IRC too much, but that sounded like a pretty funny comeback to me.

Queens: sorry if you didnt mean it to be funny :P

[queensrider86]

Wow this has got to be the worst comback ever, I'm beginning to think you were adopted.


This might help you. the kid in the green is kinetic if i am correct.

http://www.geocities.com/kinetikbikeshop

[queensrider86]

i think this is mude

http://www.geocities.com/kinetikbikeshop/Picture45.jpg

check out the helmet when he is jumping the 20 foot spine to grass gap.

[JMC]

i have nEVER heard of clipless in BMX...

check, you bail, and you jump off HOW?? just curious...

[dain84]

i have nEVER heard of clipless in BMX...

check, you bail, and you jump off HOW?? just curious...
almost all racers use clipless peadls, buddy. And they jump.

[queensrider86]

i think he wants to know how they jump off the pedals

[lunchbox]

i think he wants to know how they jump off the pedals

with your feet.

[JMC]

with your feet.

:D
no, i had just got back from riding street wit the JBX so my mind was on street, i didn't even consider racing... sorry... :o :rolleyes: but yeah ok, racing i can see it...