da_ilks

Howdy all,

I have just got back into the great world of mountain biking. My last bike was stolen around 2 years ago, and on an impulse I bought a new bike a couple of months ago (a Kona Caldera '05 model)

Everything is great, I love the bike. But the problem is the clipless pedals. Before my last bike was stolen I was looking into getting some clipless pedals, it seemed liked the logical thing to do. So I wasn't phased when I saw that Kona came with them standard.

However, with having to learn how to use clipless pedals AND learn correct technique again etc, I have lost all confidence. I have fallen over a couple of times attached to the bike because I've forgotten/haven't been able to clip out in time, or I clip out the wrong side.

I've gone to a park and just ridden slow, put on the brakes and clipped out in time (although I occasionally still fall to the wrong side), but I'm getting frustrated out on the trail.

Is it really worth persevering through? At the moment I get nervous attacking climbs etc, in case I have to stop. The pedals I got with the bike are basically just the SPD clip, nothing more, no platform or anything. I KNOW that using clipless is the way to go, but it is really stripping me of confidence on the bike.

Is there another setup apart from SPD that I can use which I can bail out of easier, without resorting to buying new shoes as well?

Cheers,
Chris

bsyptak

You should be able to get these down under:

https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/142...95B-Pedals.htm

On the tricky sections, I often clip out and flip the pedals over, making for a faster exit off the bike.

zx108

i was in the same position a little while ago. i thought i didnt want clipless pedals, so i held off. then as i got better i really, really wanted them.

on my bike i have these things that go on the spd's, it is like a little platform. they are pretty anoying, but it is better then having to buy new pedals.

TheTurtle

Go clipless, but if you try to learn with clipped it will get alot easier to pedal in the future...

btadlock

Yes, definitely worth the hassle, but.....
here is a little observation from the old guy on the trail.
Since you have been off the mtn for a couple of years, I would suggest riding w/the platform pedals for a time, till you are comfortable on the bike and the trail. Then, add the clipless pedals, this will provide two shallow learning curves instead of one that could be quite a bit steeper.
I have a buddy that had never mtn biked before, other than riding some x-mart around campus in college 3+years ago, so he dropped 1400+ on a C'dale Jekyll and added the clipless pedals at the shop. His riding experience has been so bad, that he has put just over a 100 miles on that bike in 3 years. The learning curve was just too steep, so he has basically quit trying.
Keep at it, build the bike and trail skills, then add the pedals and you should be all set.

But then again.... I am one of those that believe that you develop better skills by starting on a HT or a rigid.

Montana Rider

Not sure what type of pedals you're using, but Eggbeaters (which I have used for 5 years with NO complaints...) can be adjusted to disengage early or late in the ankle movement.

Check to see if your cleats/spds have any adjustment features. If not, I'd consider spending the $60 or so to get a pair which does.

Once you get comfortable getting out of them, you'll LOVE clipless pedals..

Ricardo

Right now I am in the same point as you are. Sometimes I forget I'm clipped in and when I try to get out confussion makes me fall. I try to enjoy it and learn from every bit of experience.

Ricardo

seely

Make sure that your tension on the pedals, if its adjustable, is set fairly loose to allow you to get in and out more easily. That being said though, different pedals can make a huge difference. I learned on Eggbeaters, and had very few falls and a small learning curve to get over.

Bob57

I've ben riding just a year and went to clipless right off on advice from lbs. stated out with cheep spd peddles fell over alot swiched to eggbeaters problem solved

iamthetas

I was like that until recently( Ive been on them for a year now) I hated the loss of concentration. it seemed that every time I focus on the trail only, Id hit an unexpected off camber root and BAM im over and still clipped. I also hated the lack of foot movemet back and forth on my pedals. I have finally gotten to where I do not hate them but still am not as happy with the concentration thing. I got a shoe stretcher and now I have MUCH more float in my shoes when needed. the TIME pedals are the bomb but I still have a bit to get to the point where they feel as natural as BMX pedals. I have many may miles and numerous crashes and honestly must say, for the extra balance, and power on singletrack, its worth the effort and patience. the dry weather has made my favorite trails sandy and balance is an important thing in deep sand and being clipped in is much more stable when I ride on ice feeling conditions than not. that I believe is what has finally changed my mind

da_ilks

Do eggbeaters work with normal SPD shoes? I see a lot of good reviews for them

Minesbroken

I have tried clipless pedals and I have to say that I didnt like them. I felt to attatched to the bike. I like to do crazy things and being able to ditch the bike in mid air or at the last second is important to me. Its all about how you ride, what you ride, where you ride and what your comfortable with.

da_ilks

It's OK I did some research and answered my own question

I've read a few reviews, is the problems with a quickly wearing cleat justified? I'm looking at the normal EggBeater C's......

Also, is the platform on the Candy's worth the time of day?

Any comparison between the C and the SL variations? Worth the extra $$$ for the SL's?

mozzie_marshall

sorry about the newbie question, but i've wondered about this for a long time: why are they called clipless, when they have clips? i'm sure i'm missing something here

Paiyili

These things are toe clips. You slide the toe of your shoe into them. So, systems for connecting the shoe to the pedal that do not use the toe clip system are therefore clipless. I only know this because your question occurred to me, too, but I actually Googled it.

mozzie_marshall

hey, i see! thanks

jburnsdo

I really enjoy riding clipless although that off-camber root thing throws you down quick. I find that I dab a lot less and have gotten to be a much better technical rider. I'm much better with the clipless pedals when it comes to jumping--Just don't start riding wheelies and showing off, or your bike ill be riding you.

C Law

They are designed to wear quick.

That being said, Mine last for a season, easy.

da_ilks

is it worth the extra $20 or so for the stainless steel ones over the chromoly?

C Law

I have three pairs.
1 chromoly 03, 1 chromoly 05 and one stainless 03.

I can't tell the difference in performance while riding. They changed the chromoly pedal a lot in 05 and I think it looks a bit funny. There used to be no difference besides the spindle i nthe appearance of the two pedals.

So it boils down to this

1. Can you use the $20 elsewhere on your bike to improve performance?
2. Does 28 grams make a difference to you?
3. Do you like shiny stainless steel?

da_ilks

I read on MTBR a couple of people reporting that the chromoly ones were starting to get some surface rust, only real reason I was asking. Apart from that I wouldn't be fussed (can't imagine noticing 28grams!)

Killer B

Clipless pedals don't cause you to fall... It's your own fear that causes it. Get over it.
I ride thru some of the roughest places ever with mine, and only sometimes do I ever need to unclip.

da_ilks

Well I ended up getting the Egg Beaters SL, since the best price online I could find for the C's was was $59.95US and I got the SL's on eBay for $68.95, and with cheaper shipping then all of the online stores, so it worked out cheaper to the SL's

Those pedals are around $180AU here in Australia.... rip off.