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Do MTB riders use clipless pedals?

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View Poll Results: Clipless or Platform?
I use and like clipless pedals on my MTB
59
66.29%
I use and like platform pedals on my MTB
15
16.85%
Who cares...
15
16.85%
Voters: 89. You may not vote on this poll

Do MTB riders use clipless pedals?

Old 01-08-09, 03:31 PM
  #26  
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Had to check who cares? for this poll. I generally use and prefer clipless over flats, but wouldn't feel safe with clipless while freeriding and DHing in general. In that case I use pedals with good studs and a good pair of sticky shoes (like those made by 661 or fiveten).
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Old 01-08-09, 06:34 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by Pocko
Here you go... your first platform pedal lesson.

You don't need a longer travel AM or freeride bike, even a hard tail will do. Best done on a bike with short stem and lowered saddle. Don't forget to wear shin guards at first (soccer types will do, or even a notebook tucked inside your socks - trust me on this!).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAem3L7Rlpk&NR=1

Have fun!!

.
That's basically what I've been doing on my XC hardtail, but not that often because I like having it set up for trail riding, which means clipless. I'm thinking about getting a dirt jumper for the urban stuff.
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Old 01-08-09, 11:45 PM
  #28  
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I ride XC and I use platforms, with powergrips. works well enough but I'm going to check out clipless next week.
I ride clipless on my road bike, nothing compares. I figure I'll give it a try for my MTB.
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Old 01-09-09, 03:04 AM
  #29  
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I've considered the 50/50 clipless/platform pedals. I know that like most multi-tools, they're going to be a compromise. When riding logs or skinny ramps, I clip out so I can throw my knees around for better balance. Adequate for little finesse moves, but pretty poor for anything fast or dramatic, in which case I stay clipped in and hope for the best.
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Old 01-09-09, 11:14 AM
  #30  
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I'm paraphrasing a quote from a Bicycling Magazine article on a fellow who builds extreme jumps and trails: use platforms if the third of a second it takes you to unclip would be the difference between planting your face or not. So, if the course you're riding makes you nervous, you might want to go platform. My skill level isn't very high, so I prefer platforms right now.
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Old 01-09-09, 11:50 AM
  #31  
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Boxers or briefs? It's all personal preference.
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Old 01-09-09, 04:34 PM
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i've heard this basic rule of thumb before:

jumps = platforms
trails/long distance = clipless

buuuut, i've only used clipless once, don't yell at me O:-)

my suggestion would be getting some powergrips, they're easier to get out of than clipless, cheaper, and you can see if you like that feel, if not, flip the pedal over and use the other side, i use them on my road bike, and they do well
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Old 01-09-09, 10:52 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by ca7erham
After the ride I just got back from, I'm defiantly going to platforms. For now.
Well, if you were going to do anything defiantly in regards to your pedals, wouldn't it be to stay with the clipless?
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Old 01-09-09, 11:07 PM
  #34  
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I don't understand why people think that you can't ride aggressively and hit jumps with clipless.

It's doable, though it's purpose in those circumstances are best left on a dh/bmx/slalom/4x course.
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Old 01-10-09, 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by juggleaddict
i've heard this basic rule of thumb before:

jumps = platforms
trails/long distance = clipless

buuuut, i've only used clipless once, don't yell at me O:-)

my suggestion would be getting some powergrips, they're easier to get out of than clipless, cheaper, and you can see if you like that feel.......
Please explain how they are easier to get out of.....
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Old 01-10-09, 08:54 AM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by bikinfool
Well, if you were going to do anything defiantly in regards to your pedals, wouldn't it be to stay with the clipless?
Our trails have less than little grip right now (Mud, then ice, then icy snow), so climbing is almost not doable. You get off to walk up hills, then you cleats fill with mud and ice, so you cant clip in, or you have to sit down and pick you pedals and cleats out with a knife. But in the summer when its bone dry, no walking is required, so you dont have to worry about your cleats or pedals getting filled with mud and dirt.
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Old 01-10-09, 09:53 AM
  #37  
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I ride clipless on both MTBs and the third and fourth mtb I use for MUP riding. Got tired of hitting something and having my foot slip off the pedal. I ride SPDs and they are set as loose as the set screw will allow while maintaining the set screw in place.
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Old 01-10-09, 01:08 PM
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People who do a lot of jumps/tricks do use platforms. Old "no-way" Hans Ray comes to mind at the pro level. Downhiller's often use them too. By platforms I'm talking about the ones that have the dozen or so pins sticking out of the platform that grab the softer sole of the properly matched bike shoe.

Many of my friends do casual jumps and tricks and mostly ride single track. They all go clipless. If the single track is mostly smooth and the hills aren't too steep, it probably doesn't make a lot of difference as I think one can pedal "full-circles" with either, though clipless is superior for pedalling circles when going full-out.

But for rough and steeper stuff, clipless is the way to go. A good compromise is the Shimano SPD system with the #56 cleat vice the standard that come with the pedals (#51?). It's multi-release and easier to get out of. That's especially true when falling where there may be insufficient time, space or one is at too awkward a body angle to twist the heel outwards. I use those exclusively.

Al

Last edited by alcanoe; 01-12-09 at 07:27 AM.
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Old 01-12-09, 05:23 AM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by ca7erham
Our trails have less than little grip right now (Mud, then ice, then icy snow), so climbing is almost not doable. You get off to walk up hills, then you cleats fill with mud and ice, so you cant clip in, or you have to sit down and pick you pedals and cleats out with a knife. But in the summer when its bone dry, no walking is required, so you dont have to worry about your cleats or pedals getting filled with mud and dirt.
So, like I said, if you were defiantly doing something with your pedals, it would be to use clipless...you know, despite the problems of using them, so that would be being defiant. Get it?
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Old 01-12-09, 05:55 AM
  #40  
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I've got pedals with clipless one side and platform the other. What do I vote for?
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Old 01-12-09, 07:35 AM
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I've only done a little snow and ice, but have some experience with steep and mud. I've had no real problems with the SPD 540 clipless pedals. Sure, sometimes it takes more effort to clip-in, but nothing other than that. Spraying the pedals with silicon or in real wet conditions silicon+teflon seems to help some.

Al
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