Mattyb13

Just purchased a 2016 Specialized Stump Jumper FSR Elite 650b. My first Mt Bike. Living in CO and seeing all these badass bikes everywhere was killing me so I pulled the trigger! Pretty damn stoked. I will need the basic accessories which are easy. Im more concerned about what pedals to get? I don't want to go Clip-Less if I don't have to. Id rather get a good platform and use my Vans shoes. Looking for any and all advice. I don't need top of the line but I believe you get what you pay for so have at it veterans, let me know! Thank you in advance.

TriDanny47

First thing about shoes - imho, anything with laces is a no-go - you soon find out when a lace gets sucked into the chain and pulls you down or almost. I found trail shoes and hikers by Salomon with an elastic tie lacing system with a pocket for the slack and those work great. Velcro is another option.

I love platform pedals with pegs - very secure grip. I just bought a pretty cheap set of Forte Convert at Performance and they are fine.

hig4s

I actually prefer cheap nylon Nylon MTB Pedals 9/16" Axle (Pedals) - Bike Gear | Giant Bicycles | United States pedals.. light, cheap if you break one, tougher than you'd think, and hurt my shins a lot less than metal when I slip.

As far as shoes, I wear lace up shoes, I'm just careful about how I lace them and make sure they are tucked and/or double knotted.

hig4s

Oh, and I forgot to say, congrats, sweet bike.

DMC707

Its up to you what you wear when your on the bike i suppose ---- but i can attest that after a day on the slopes wearing Vans once, they would be down at the bottom of my list of choices.

You have a nice machine -- you should learn to use real pedals -- In CO, you'll be riding uphill far more than downhill, - A quick glance at any BMX race now would reveal that even 90% of the BMX'ers are using clipless pedals now with real cycling shoes, not warmed over skateboard shoes --- Vans just dont have a stiff enough sole for efficient riding for longer durations

A good choice if you want to try both are the Shimano DX series pedals that are usable as platform pedals as well as clipless- Crankbrothers Mallet pedals are a similar concept, but the pedal design doesnt lend itself as well to riding in street shoes


Obviously with pedals you need shoes, a helmet is a given, so are a couple of pairs of decent cycling shorts --- and a hydration pack is a boon on any ride as it gives you a place for your spares, tools, wallet, music device and food as well

hig4s

Just a note, per the professionals at Global Mountain Bike Network, if you are new to mountain biking you should not use clipless as they allow for the formation of bad habits and can hurt your learning curve. They suggest wait until you have all the basic skills to switch to clipless. Again not my words, but from professional riders. I personally I have been biking and mountain biking since he 70s and just cannot get use to anything that holds my feet. I think that part of that is because I use to race dirt motorcycles and ATVs, something you just don't want to be attached to.

Gallo

I rode clip-less for 30 years on and off road

Went to flats and they work fine in all but a couple of places. Almost at my full year still ride for my experiment. clipped in on the road still

Ditch the Vans get some 5 10's

What I have found is on long slog climbs I do not pull up allot and being able to move the foot is cool

Short punchy climbs man I miss being clipped

making time on flats or rollers miss them there too

Good pinned flats with good shoes are a good system

oh and awesome first bike man and welcome to the dirty side

spdracr39

I prefer clipless but good quality flats with pegs work well also. I do have issues through rock gardens and rocky climbs with my feet coming off the flats occasionally and having used clipless on my road bike I can bail just as fast either way.

Jeff Neese

Is that technically possible, if you always end up back at your own starting point? (I know it always seems like it).

Jeffkilly

I would tend to agree, unless you right uphill and take a lift down. ����

DMC707

You can Strava it or Garmin it or whatever all you want, --- but i'm talking about duration and perceived effort , not just miles --- In Colorado, you all too often have to earn those downhills unless you live in a ski resort town

Jeff Neese

Reminds me of the old joke - "Back in my day, we had to walk miles to school, and back. And it was uphill BOTH WAYS".

Gallo

His point is valid it might not be more elevation of miles but it unless you are a freak of nature and descend really really slow it is more time and effort

pbass

If you can swing it, get some Five Ten shoes - the Freerider is sort of a default shoe for platform pedal riders: All Mountain Flats

Once you feel how they grip your pedals, you won't want to wear anything else, ever. Vans don't even come close.

You don't have to break the bank on pedals either. I use these and swear by them: VP Components Vice Pedals > Components > Pedals > Platform Pedals | Jenson USA

Any good pedal with pins like that, and a pair of Fivetens and you're stuck to the bike as much as you can be (short of going clipless).

osco53

Specialized 2FO's~~~~~ So comfortable and durable (soul is wearing like Vibram sole's) the pair for my flat pedals I wear all day to work...

I have two pair, one for clipping in and one for flats.
I ride both..

Remember,, anyone can Bunny hop clipped in,, but you can't say you can bunny hop unless you can do it with flats

Seattle Forrest

Of course. Measure by time, not distance.

I did Cutthroat Pass on a MTB not long ago, it took about 2 hours 30 minutes to get to the top and 45 minutes to get back down to my car. The day before I did Washington Pass from the valley floor on a road bike, it was about 2 hours up and 45 minutes down. That one was about 170 TSS on the way up and 35 TSS coming down.

lubes17319

...or have an available truck to get you up top.

My Starva shows more descending miles (much funnerer direction) this summer than any past years due to the number of shuttled rides done.