I<3Mountain Dew

Ok so as you might know, just got my '07 hardrock sport. Did a 19 mile yesterday and had a blast, but realized I would enjoy it alot more with clipless pedals.

It's just way to hard hopping onto/over things without your feet secured to the bike. The only thing that Im worried about is getting out in time when I go down. So if someone could maybe give me some words of wisdom on crashes (or just tell me to suck it up) that would be cool.

Now the real reason for this thread was to get reccomendations. My LBS's dont carry many shoes in stock, and definately not many my size (12-13), so I'm going to get some off the internet. I was hoping to get somethnig that I will be able to wear while walking too, since I like to ride all day then camp that night.

I dont really care what the look like, plain black suits me just fine (and matches my bike ).

Req's:
Stiff soled
Walkable
Under $80 (hopefully)
Durable...duh
Last but not least...made in my size

I will also need pedals too, as I still have the stock. Was hoping to keep those under $60. Dont really have any requirements for them since I'm sure you guys have alot more experience with pedals than me.

Thanks for the help.

-Ryan

JKWITS

If you practice hopping onto and over things with clipless pedals you will probably develop a bad technique.

Its worth learning to do this first and then switching however there are a number of other advantages to clipless as well.

I prefer platforms myself.

Roxter

well i'm not too sure about the shoes, but here is a pair of pedals you should get, best for the price in my opinion. https://wheelworld.com/itemdetails.cf...gId=39&id=2291

Chone

I prefer platforms and with some practice you can get up any obstacle, remember, everything you can do with clipless you can do with out and with platforms you can even do MORE, yeah its crazy but its the truth, so yeah if hopping over stuff is your only concern for getting clipless then just stick with platforms and work on them bunnyhopping skills.

However, clipless do have advantages and emergency unclip in case of a crash is not something to worry about, my friend likes to put it one way "when you crash, you'll automatically unclip", my friend who rides clipless can unclip and clip just as fast as putting a foot on or off a platform... so yeah don't worry about that.

If you want a cheap inexpensive combo you can get Answer Palisade and Crank Bro Candy pedals for just under 100$, great deal if you ask me.

I<3Mountain Dew

I just think I would feel safer and more in-tune with the bike with clipless. I might be wrong but hey I wont be out too much money if I am.

Anyone ever tried these?

Chone

I haven't tried that shoe but Sidi shoes are pretty good generally.

mvonb

If thousands of roadies here in Germany can use Sidi shoes, then I'm sure their MTB shoes are also good quality. I intend to get some winter shoes when I next have 130€ to burn. As long as the soles are stiff, and they are comfortable, the shoes will perform well. They look to be well ventilated for summer rides too, might be a bit cool in the winter.

HTH

Jason222

+1

If you find you're not as comfortable with platfoms, or feel they're not grippy enough, just buy better platforms or have more pins put in yours.

Not really, you're just not used to it or have cheap platforms.

Edit: I just took a look at your bike's pedals...ew. It would probably be a better idea to upgrade to a better set of platforms. I'd suggest 50/50's. I've only slipped out of mine once this season.

Flak

Except pedal in full circles. You're not as efficient, nor do you climb as well.

campayne

just ride regular trails and you will fall over but thats how you learn, you dontlearn by bunny hoping

Roxter

i personally think that if you are doing any XC riding you should have clipless pedals, its amazing how fast you learn to clip in and out. you will fall over ALOT when you first get them but, surprisingly, the falls dont hurt much because you know they are coming. i used to use platforms but clipless are just so much more efficient, and yes, it is easier to hop things with your feet clipped in no doubt.

Chone

You are right about efficiency (pedal), the clip in/clip out deal and the fact any XC rider should at least give clipless a try but you are wrong in the fact that its easier to hop things with your feet clipped in, its just as easy to do so on platforms, you just need to learn the proper technique but once you do, hopping on platforms becomes much more natural than on clipless and yes its easier and safer.

Yeah but overall clipless pedals are good, they are just different than platforms, there is no better, it just comes down to what you ride, how you ride it and what your personal preferences are, you can't automatically say that clipless is better than platforms and thats that and viceversa because one is not better than the other.

kxpedder7

Shimano did a lot of testing in the 1980's to prove that that really wasn't the case. Yes you can get a better pull on your up stroke but on a dynometer, there was only a slight difference.

The only really advance to clipless in my opinion is that if your ride really bumpy terrain, your feet are less likely to slip off the pedals.

campayne

it becomes second nature

DonValley

I am a noob too, and bought some Time atacs. I rode them a couple of days, and switched back to a regular pedal for the time being, as I feel more confident trying trials like stuff unclipped. I just bought a second set of pedals on Ebay (Shimano 540's) hoping they are a little easier to get out of. I can't get out of the Time's to my satisfaction when I am at the top of the stroke.. The shoes I bough appear to be very nicely made, comfy and decent for walking a short while in (Lake MX165). They fit a little snug, and most likely go 1/2 size bigger if you buy this model shoe on line.

campayne

time atacks are one of the harder pedals to get out of

samster143

What kind of bikes were they testing with in the 80's? My guess would not be MTN bikes.

catatonic

For shoes...Specialized Taho.

The rubber does wear a bit fast, but the sole is very stiff, is walkable enough that I wear them while working everyday, and they are plenty comfortable. Oh, and about $80-85 was what I paid for them at the LBS.

They work with eggbeaters, but will be a bit hard to disengage at first, unless you trim the rubber sround the cleat slightly. I didn't do any cutting, but things improved after a month or two of commuter duty.


And for pedals, I love eggbeaters. easy in , easy out. Only downside is they are a bit "weird" at first, since instead of the toe of your foot staying put, and the heel floating, now your entire foot floats. For that reason, if you do any jumps (as it sounds like you do), I would go for a clipless pedal with a stabilizing platform on it....your shoe will grip that, and it will feel more natural.

smuguy

I don't know much about shoes, but as far as pedals go, I would recommend you go with the Shimano PD-M540's. They are one level down from the Shimano top model but in my opinion just as good. You can get them of ebay for $60. They are easy to get in and out off, you have to practice a little but afterwards, it becomes second nature. I tried the eggbeaters and the candy's but I didn't like the feel, although I have many friends who love them. Your just going to have to go to your LBS and try the pedals once you find a shoe that works for you. Finding shoes that fit comfortably will be a challenge since every brand and every model fit differently even if they are the same size.

mogwaiboi1

I just started using SPD clipless last Sunday and they are very easy to get in and out of. I have them adjusted that way. It's much better. More power, just a bit harder on the legs at first.

brad06ag

If you are trying trials stuff, you should never be clipped in. Everything you see in trials is done on platforms. Clipless is considered cheating in the trials world.

mtnbiker66

They are the sooooo easy to get out of. My favorite pedal by far.

cryptid01

Suck it up!

mcoine

Could you please post this data/research, I would like to see it.

Quadzone.com

I"m running Time Atac Z's and love them. Easy to get in and out of. For the record though, no matter how good you get at getting out of the pedals when you need to, you WILL wreck on occasion and not get out. I'm still healing from a wreck on Monday. I hit the ground and was barrel rolling with the bike before I knew what the hell was going on. I was riding again today clipped in even with half the skin on my shin gone... DOH

I went clipless after 2 weeks of getting into Bikes and don't regret it one bit. Best thing you can ever do I think.