General Cycling Discussion - Would you put price over performance?

I got some on sale Nashbar Clipless ATB Pedal. And let me tell you, its becoming more of a hassel than i ever imgained. Not only did i fall over 10x and sprained my wrist, the cleat got stuck in the pedal and i almost stabbed myself with the screwdriver when i tried to get them out. NOT ONLY that, the cleat wont come out when i click in. WTF?!?!?!?!? ITS ONLY BEEN 2 DAYS AND IM P.O.!!!

I paid $20 for these pedals, even though im wishing i would have performance over price. What about you guys? Would you throw in a couple of more bucks to get that extra "performance"?

Sounds like they just need an adjustment to make it easier to get in & out. Falling sucks when you're stuck in a pedal ... falling just sucks, period.
:beer:

What needs adjustment? the cleat or the pedal? the cleat looks identical to the other cleat so i dont know whats wrong with that.

There should be an adjustment screw on the pedal. I've seen it done but have never performed the task myself.

Hrmm...that screw just adjusts how easy it is to click out. Unfortunatley, the screw is so loose its almost out, so i dont think thats a problem

Did the cleats come with the pedals or are you using cleats from a different pedal?
Easier might be to have your LBS take a peek. :D

im using the cleats that came with my pedals.

I always start with a strict and firm budgeted amount that my wife and I have discussed at length and agreed on in advance.

I argue the benefits of quality and performance while she, without insulting me at all, suggests that the budget for food and drink as well as a building to keep my bike in might be better served if I were willing to lug one or two more grams around with me or settle for equipment and accessories that Lance Armstrong would consider a bit inferior to his.

I know that in my wife's charitable mind she is thinking, "Sure the [you fill in the name of the accessory here] is lighter, smoother, more efficient than [repeat name of accessory here] the one you bought last month, but we need to have money for the kid's birthday." If she isn't, she should be thinking, "can't you lose another half a pound or carry one less ounce of water instead?"

Neveretheless, once the discussion is over and we reach an equitable compromise which takes my hobby and the household budget into complete account I embark for the LBS with an absolutely clear picture of the exact maximum I can spend and the quality specifications of the exact product I will receive for my money.

Both my wife and I are fully aware of but never verbally acknowledge the "LBS Factor" which must be be applied to these rigorous deliberations and final decisions at the time of actual purchase.

Soooooo...when I return from the LBS with a receipt for any amount less than double the planned purchase price we are both quite pleased. :p

I always start with a strict and firm budgeted amount that my wife and I have discussed at length and agreed on in advance.

I argue the benefits of quality and performance while she, without insulting me at all, suggests that the budget for food and drink as well as a building to keep my bike in might be better served if I were willing to lug one or two more grams around with me or settle for equipment and accessories that Lance Armstrong would consider a bit inferior to his.

I know that in my wife's charitable mind she is thinking, "Sure the [you fill in the name of the accessory here] is lighter, smoother, more efficient than [repeat name of accessory here] the one you bought last month, but we need to have money for the kid's birthday." If she isn't, she should be thinking, "can't you lose another half a pound or carry one less ounce of water instead?"

Neveretheless, once the discussion is over and we reach an equitable compromise which takes my hobby and the household budget into complete account I embark for the LBS with an absolutely clear picture of the exact maximum I can spend and the quality specifications of the exact product I will receive for my money.

Both my wife and I are fully aware of but never verbally acknowledge the "LBS Factor" which must be be applied to these rigorous deliberations and final decisions at the time of actual purchase.

Soooooo...when I return from the LBS with a receipt for any amount less than double the planned purchase price we are both quite pleased. :p

I apologize if that posted twice becasuse of anything I did. My browser froze for a minute while I was posting. Not sure what happened.

Carl

Have you used clipless type pedals before?

Originally posted by killerasp
I got some on sale Nashbar Clipless ATB Pedal. And let me tell you, its becoming more of a hassel than i ever imgained. Not only did i fall over 10x and sprained my wrist, the cleat got stuck in the pedal and i almost stabbed myself with the screwdriver when i tried to get them out. NOT ONLY that, the cleat wont come out when i click in. WTF?!?!?!?!? ITS ONLY BEEN 2 DAYS AND IM P.O.!!!


If you haven't already done so, take it back to the shop and get them to fix it. A good bike shop will do this (I know mine does without complaint).


Originally posted by killerasp
What about you guys? Would you throw in a couple of more bucks to get that extra "performance"?

Yes I would. I spent three years at university with no money trying to make ends meet, stretching cheap components right to the end of their life. Now that I'm working and I've actually got some money, I'm damn-well gonna make the most of it!

I think it is a ratio of good to bad. Take Drive train systems. The different between xt and xtr is almost purely weight. Not a concern for me. But price is. A rear derailuer (sp) costs 90$ - 200$ respectively. I would never ever think of buying the xtr. Too expensive for something I don't care about. I am not a gram counter and never will be. Hell I weight 250 :).

I go through the same process with everything and find the best deal to fit my situation. Because of my torquing power and the style of riding I do I spend a log of money in three area. Rear hub, bb and pedals.

If i can feel a difference in a component's function, it's worth the money. If the difference is weight, fashion, or convenience (STI)
it's not. As a working bike mechanic, most of what I ride on are "customer castoffs" a few years old--perfectly good performing and cheap or free! What do I buy new? Rims, spokes, tires, pedals, chains, and cassettes.

Hey Killerasp,Sometimes it takes a little time to break in a new pair of clipless pedals.I bought a pair of Nashbar road pedals and had somewhat the same trouble.Mine didn't release easily until I unscrewed the adjustment screw as far as it would go and I mean to the edge.Make sure the cleat is screwed down tight in the shoes and not at any funny angles.Are you using ATB shoes?You think its a pain getting use to ATBs try small 1 sided road pedals!Sometimes I threaten to put my ATBs on my roadbike:D