Mountain Biking - Need help with Pedals

I'm new to biking, and and seaching for my first mountain bike. One component I don't yet understand is pedals. The bike I'm looking at has Alloy Platform pedals. I see alot of posts about clip-less pedals. I asume there are many other types.

What kind of pedal should a newbie get? Are certain shoes required for certain kinds of pedals?

Thanks alot!

Think of clipless pedals and shoes like Ski Bindings and Ski Boots.

There are several different types - the most common is the Shimano Pedaling Dynamics system (the SPD or Spud). The second most common is the Time ATAC, and my personal favorite.

Yes - you do need special shoes that can accept cleats (the Time ATAC cleat is compatable with virtually and SPD compatible shoe).

Toe clips were the old style cages that trapped your toes and kept your foot connected to the pedal. They created the new cleat and shoe combo that attaches to the bottom of the shoe and called it "clipless" because they did away with the toe clip.

Clipless pedals promote much better bike control and pedaling by keeping your foot firmly attached to the pedals. They take a little time to get used to - the best thing to do is set a little time aside on a grassy field. Pedal around and come to a complete stop, practicing "unclipping". Basically just kicking your heel outward - it's quite easy!

Thanks for the quick reply bikeCOLORADO! Any good websites to puchase the Time ATAC?

You're welcome...I like to comparo shop between:

Performance Bike (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.html?SKU=6120&Store=Bike)

Pricepoint (http://pricepoint.com/product87.html)

Supergo (http://www.supergo.com/itemdisplay.asp?compflag=1&parentid=8327&company=Time&secid=7559&subid=1811)

Airbomb (http://www.airbomb.com/shopping.asp?search=atac&Submit=go&action=search)

I like Performance best, but they don't always have the best price. If you have a Performance store nearby - print out the best price you find on the 'net and they' always match it. If you join their Team Performance membership ($25) - you also get 10% back on EVERY purchase. It's very worth it for me, 'cause I unload a LOT of money at Performance every year!

If you are going to be doing xc then clipless work really well to enchance power. I refuse to wear them as I envision trying a drop and dying. I don't like the idea of being strapped in :)

Most converts to clipless are already good riders. They can balance in tricky situations. Most riders have some "fail-to-unclip" moments when the bike loses control underneath them.
As a new rider, I would suggest that you learn how to handle the bike confidently. You will have more than enough to think about, with gearing, braking and chosing your riding line.

You can ride a bike without clipless pedals. Many riders use platform pedals for stunt riding, and toe-clips for commuting or just riding along easy trails. Modern toe-clip users never tighten the straps, so they are easy to get out of.
You can ride with leisure-type cycling shoes or trail shoes, and have adaquate stiffness in the sole for efficient pedalling.
Clipless systems have even stiffer soles, which give you an advantage when you are pedalling really hard, and they permit you to pull better on the upstroke than toe-clips. For racing , they are pretty essential, but for learning to ride, and for just riding along, they are optional.

My first two rides were on a borrowed bike with clipless pedals. I was moving pretty fast down the trail, hit a small burm - got just a little air. My feet came off the pedals and I luckily landed on the seat and rode it out. That convinced me that my first bike would have clipless pedals.

So - my third time on a trail on a mountain bike was with clipless pedals. It's not that hard to get used to getting out of the pedals. Make sure they're set up loose and they've got a little lube on them. You will have a few pedal induced "foot faults" were you can't unclip fast enough and you'll fall over on the trail. Use common sense - for the first few rides, stick to easy trails and practice unclipping.

Practice clipping out for about an hour on a grassy, flat and open field. Pedal around, come to a complete stop and work on unclipping. Before you know it, you'll have built up your automatic muscle memory and you'll never look back.

clipless pedals are the best upgrade you can make to an XC bike. They pedal much more efficently, more control, and IMO are less worrysome while riding b/c your foot isnt always moving around

As mentioned before the 3 main types are
1.SPD-Shimano. There's a million pedals that use the same exact design. They're fine for dry conditions but when the going gets messey they get bad unless you have the top of the line 959's http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.asp?number=27028[/url. I have had bad expereiences with lower end shimano pedals

2. Time- All of the time pedals are built the same so the only differance between the higher end and lower end ones is weight. Never ridden them personally but know a few people who do [url]http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.asp?number=27155

3. Eggbeaters- Sweet pedals. I got a set right when they came out and are sweet in every condition out there. They're also light and very simply built. Very good all round pedal. highly recomended http://www.supergo.com/itemdisplay.asp?parentid=18272&secid=7559&subid=1811&compflag=1&company=Crank+Bros

2. Time- All of the time pedals are built the same so the only differance between the higher end and lower end ones is weight. Never ridden them personally but know a few people who do http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.asp?number=27155