Mountain Biking - Going clipless need some suggestions

I am going clipless and I would like some suggestions. I've been doing some road and trail ridding and some of the trails are probably a little out of my league but I attempt them anyway. My GT Ricochet is at least 14 years old and if I can stick with riding I will probably up grade next year but for now I would like to just fix the GT up. I’ve been looking at the close out shoes and pedals on Nashbar and Performance and have found a few that look to be pretty good and also cheap. If anyone uses any of these please give me some input. I will post up some shoe choices later but if you have any suggestions feel free to add those too

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000108&subcategory=60001078&brand=&sku=20785&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20ATB%20Clipless%20Pedals

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000108&subcategory=60001078&brand=&sku=8863&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20ATB%20Clipless%20Pedals

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000108&subcategory=60001078&brand=&sku=17940&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20ATB%20Clipless%20Pedals

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000108&subcategory=60001078&brand=&sku=17996&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20ATB%20Clipless%20Pedals

any of those pedals are fine. Personally, I'm not a fan of the crankbrothers engagement, but many people love it and if it's your first set, you probably will too. I'd pick up a set of those "smarty" pedals

Go with Shimano or Crank Bros. I would skip those other brands.

Ok sounds like I am off to a good start with peddals, how about these shoes?

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/15829-285_ADIMN7-1-Clothing-133-Shoes/Mountain/Adidas-Minnret-Mountain-Shoes-2007.htm

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600084&subcategory=60001041&brand=&sku=21554&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Mountain%20Shoes

No idea. You might love them or hate 'em. Buying shoes online is a gamble.

Does this look like a good deal? Have you ever heard of these pedals?

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/16015-285_ADIMW7_KIT-3-Parts-65-Pedals/Mountain/Adidas-Minnret-Mountain-Shoes-2007-w_-Wellgo-WAM-M3-Pedals.htm

TIME ATACS and forget about the rest.

Does this look like a good deal? Have you ever heard of these pedals?

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/16015-285_ADIMW7_KIT-3-Parts-65-Pedals/Mountain/Adidas-Minnret-Mountain-Shoes-2007-w_-Wellgo-WAM-M3-Pedals.htm

Yup...I've used 'em. I've broken the cages off 4 of them.

I won't ever buy them again, but people keep giving them to me for free, and I put them on my beater and break them some more.

My Shimano's have lasted since 2005 with no broken cages...and they're bottom of the barrel Shimano's. I'd follow the popular advice of checking into some Shimano's or Crank Brothers.

You can get some Shimano PD M505's for as little as $20-$25 on line brand new. Theyr'e pretty heavy, but they are about as bomber as an inexpensive SPD gets.

Thanks, glad I asked

http://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-SPD-Pedals-PD-M505-for-road-bike-mtb-cyclox_W0QQitemZ270168935234QQihZ017QQcategoryZ36138QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

If you need cheap pedals.


If money isn't quite so much of an issue...try the XT's or PD m540s. I'm personally considering the switch to Crank Bros Candy SL's.

Thanks, I think I will get a pair of those. Right now I am going to stay cheap and ride this bike for a while. If I stick with it I'll get a better bike that will hopfully come with better pedals:D

Thanks, I think I will get a pair of those. Right now I am going to stay cheap and ride this bike for a while. If I stick with it I'll get a better bike that will hopfully come with better pedals:D

high end bikes don't come with pedals.

Ok sounds like I am off to a good start with peddals, how about these shoes?

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/15829-285_ADIMN7-1-Clothing-133-Shoes/Mountain/Adidas-Minnret-Mountain-Shoes-2007.htm

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600084&subcategory=60001041&brand=&sku=21554&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Mountain%20Shoes

re: your nashbar choice, they would be good if you're also planning on being Optimus Prime for Halloween

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/250/YS-SM331-NCL-ANGLE.jpg

re: your nashbar choice, they would be good if you're also planning on being Optimus Prime for Halloween

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/250/YS-SM331-NCL-ANGLE.jpg



How did you guess? :lol:

I like the red because my bike is red but I will probubly go with the black Adidas and egg beaters

If it's your first time with clips you might want to consider something with a bit more platform, especially if you'll be riding in hilly off-road conditions. If you are used to platform pedals, having a larger platform with clips will ease you in better. I got a pair of Crank Bros Mallets for the same reason. I was using Shimano 's at first and while I thought they were great, anytime I unclipped and put a foot down going uphill, I found getting back on the bike an ordeal. You see, with no platform, you have to get back on the bike quickly and BAM! clip in before you start rolling backwards. If you miss, you have to do it again and again until you get it. And believe me, it's tricky especially in a very low gear With a bit more platform you can simply step on and pedal away and worry about clipping in later. At least that helped me quite a bit.

Thanks for the advise, I may stick with the nashbar or the other crank bothers for now then move up to the beaters

You see, with no platform, you have to get back on the bike quickly and BAM! clip in before you start rolling backwards. If you miss, you have to do it again and again until you get it.
Is a Shimano SPD considered platform? (m505's) B/c there have been times when I've not gotten lined up and just push on the pedal anyway...until I get to a segment that I can relax and clip in. Doesn't happen all that often now, but used to be that way quite frequently. Thererfore, I think Mallets are overkill for the sake of your reasoning. I'd say maybe try out those Smarties if'n ya wanna save a buck. Otherwise get the Candy's. There's plenty of platform there to push on in a pinch.