Mountain Biking - What do you all think?

Clipless or platform? I'm still on platform pedals but I'm considering clipless platform pedals. Let me know what you think!!!

Platforms all the way. Clipless are downright dangerous for freeriding. I have seen a few experienced riders eat it hard because the extra 'split' second it took to get their foot free and throw the bike cost them a serious face plant. If you are xc...clipless are fine.

Platforms, I hate the clipped in feeling.

Well, if you are hell bent on being attatched to your bike, toe clips and straps might be the way to go...

i use power grips, but im thinking about going to clipless. you have so much more control and its more power-efficient, especially on climbs...

Clipless http://www.timesportusa.com/zpedals.html

Clipless http://www.timesportusa.com/zpedals.html

how do those compare to the mallet c's?

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Pedal/product_122056.shtml
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Pedal/product_122526.shtml
I prefer the Time's

It depends on your style of riding. Like Mael said, platforms are better for Freeriding, and Dirt Jumping. Clipless are the only way to go for Cross Country riding.

Downhillers will do either depending on the technicality of the course and their own personal preference. If it's a pedaling course, then clipless, if it has a technical rock garden then platforms.

L8R

Clipless give you an edge for powering up and over stuff. I personally prefer them for jumping cause your feet don't slip off the pedal upon landing. And for rocky or bumpy decents for the same reason. And you can cheat on bunnyhops. If your sense of balance is poor then flats may be the way to go for you. It's really personal preference.

It's really personal preference.

So I might order clipless and find out that I don't like them?

gwhunt23-I had the same concern, but fell in love with clipless pedals.

gwhunt23-I had the same concern, but fell in love with clipless pedals.

I think I will like them, but I have not tried them before. I ride XC, so they should be good for me. I would try them on a friend's bike, but he does not wear size 12 shoes. Don't know any people around here that are my age (13) and are serious MTB'ers.

I like clipless pedals on my bike. I currently have eggbeaters(good) and have used speedplay frogs(good) and SPD's(yucky). The kind of pedal you want also depends on what kind of stuff your going to be riding. The eggbeaters and Frogs work very well in mud. When I used SPD's in the mud I could clip in but I couldn't get out again :(

Maybe you could find out if there are any bike clubs in your area? Im sure someone would let you test ride their bike w/clipless pedals.

If you're freeriding or riding urban... platforms. Depending on what kind of downhill, clipless could be better, especially if there's any intensive pedaling. Also during really hard stutter hits and the like clipless can keep your feet on the pedals when platforms would have ejected you. For XC, there's no option but clipless IMO.

i just switched over to clipless, but have yet to find any shoes. I have a set of Mallet C pedals, so I can still ride on the trainer and they work just like a regular ol platform. I am having a hard time finding a pair of shoes that fit well because my feet are wide and most cycling shoes run on the narrow side.

Sidi Dominator 4 is a MEGA size (wide), sure they're expensive, but worth every penny. Check eBay as well.

Other than that, check Specialized Shoes. They tend to be a bit wider in the toe-box.

L8R

I went clipless.

Then, I went back to platforms. I do mostly urban riding and don't like having to change shoes.

I like big, luxurious platform pedals... and I like throwing toe clips on'em.

Sidi Dominator 4 is a MEGA size (wide), sure they're expensive, but worth every penny. Check eBay as well.

Other than that, check Specialized Shoes. They tend to be a bit wider in the toe-box.

L8R


yeah, weve been through this before. i know about the sidi's but i cant really justify spending $150 on a pair of shoes. Ive tried the specailized, but theyre still tight. next up is a pair of pearl izumi's heading down to the LBS tomorrow to have a look see

i REALLY like the Crank Brothers Mallet C pedals --- they are good clipless pedals, BUT for those times when you can't clip in (before dropping into something) they have a really big platform that is really grippy.

i now have these on my Freeride and commuter bike and the normal Eggbeaters on mx XC racebike so i can use the same shoes.


Platforms all the way. Clipless are downright dangerous for freeriding. I have seen a few experienced riders eat it hard because the extra 'split' second it took to get their foot free and throw the bike cost them a serious face plant. If you are xc...clipless are fine.
well, i don't do any dirt jumping, so maybe that is different, but in Freeride/Downhill i have NEVER had a problem getting out of pedals (except at first when learning). on the contrary, i have had many almost-crashes that i saved b/c i was still attached to the bike and could exert more side-force. In 2 "big" crashes i have had where i had no time to react (was suddenly on the ground) and both times the cleats released without hurting my foot/ankle/leg. once you really learn clipless they are in my opinion not a hindrance (except for really slow-speed stuff where you might have to dismount like trials riding -- and for practicing to wheelie/manual)

Keep it coming guys! this is great I think I will get clipless platforms in a couple weeks. As far as shoes I like these shoes and pedals and their only $105. for both!! nice looking shoes IMO I hate those clown shoes I see. Those are 661 Launch shoes and Time ATAC Z pedals. Good deal huh?

I have platforms, clipless and clipless platform pedals and change them out depending on the ride. There is really no need for clipless platform because you are either clipped in or your not, the platform doesn't add much to the equation. I rarely use clipless at all, it's just an accident waiting to happen. Sure with clipless you can hop lots higher, and they are more efficient, but one slip off a skinny and you're toast. I think my riding would be called XC by most, and most other riders here use clipless, but I can't help but grin when I see them looking like raw hamburger because they didn't get a foot down. In the last 6 months I have only used the clipless on two rides that were 50 miles each, and I went with them just because I felt the efficiency was needed for the distance. Go with platforms and be proud!

I've been clipless for a little over a year and can't imagine switching back...

Keep it coming guys! this is great I think I will get clipless platforms in a couple weeks. As far as shoes I like these shoes and pedals and their only $105. for both!! nice looking shoes IMO I hate those clown shoes I see. Those are 661 Launch shoes and Time ATAC Z pedals. Good deal huh?
That'll work!

I've got some Axiom platforms with wicked sharp replacable pins. They stick to your feet. One draw back is if you aren't careful, you'll cut yourself very easily. On the other hand, I've seen too many videos of guys face planting when they couldn't un-clip their clippless. Comes down to preference, I guess.

i prefer platforms and the shoe you use makes a difference too.a good skateboarding soft waffle grip works best for me. i tried hooking some toe clips on the front which was cool for climbing but my feet no longer fit right for jumping over obstacles and kept coming off when i landed.i prefer replacable pins too cuz i have boken more than 1.i remember one time i was riding and then poof i was not.had to go back to see what happened.my pedal hit a stump that was the same color as the ground and had i been clipped in i would have shredded my knee or ankle or both.i went right ,bike went left before i knew what happened i was on the ground.swore off clipless that dayfor urban riding you can use groovy sandals too as long as they have a soft grip.i prefer vans or dc but am using a pair of tredsafe right now till they wear out (they grip great in muddy stuff cuz they shed mud very easily)

Welp, I ordered the Time ATAC Z pedals and the 661 Launch shoes. I can't wait to get them.

Welp, I ordered the Time ATAC Z pedals and the 661 Launch shoes. I can't wait to get them.

I know this is an older thread but I just ordered this combo 'cause I like the style of shoes for banging around in the hills and the shoes are almost free with the pedal/shoe combo at PP. Can't have too many pedals (I like to switch them out depending on the ride). Anyone else running this combo?

I have the launch shoes, but I got mine with the sun ringle platforms. Its cheaper that way.

I have the launch shoes, but I got mine with the sun ringle platforms. Its cheaper that way.

So, what do ya' think of the shoes?

i just ordered a pair of crank bros steel pedals...i already ahve cannondale shoes, cant wait for them to come...

I use these.

but one slip off a skinny and you're toast. I think my riding would be called XC

Wouldn't the fact that you are riding skinny's be an indicator that you really aren't doing XC, or at least not the type of XC that most do? I could be wrong though.

For me, I am a much better rider with clipless. There is a learning curve (as with anything) but once you master them, the gains in pedaling power, stability over bumps, being able to pull your bike around in the air better all add up to making them superior for XC. If you are going to be riding obstacles where your balance will be key, and you might have to jump off quick - then platforms are better.

Does anybody with the large platform clipless pedals (mallet c's and time z's) think that those pedals would be good for XC? Right now my commuter bike and my XC bike are one and the same due to a recent theft (those muthers.) SO the large platform would be ideal for tooting around town, without having to throw on special shoes.

So, what do ya' think of the shoes?


The shoes are awesome. I havent lost my footing once with them, so its been about 3 months since I've gashed my shin with a pin from the pedal. Very comfortable as well.

The shoes are awesome. I havent lost my footing once with them, so its been about 3 months since I've gashed my shin with a pin from the pedal. Very comfortable as well.

That's great (awesome/comfortable) and confirms what I've heard from others! :D