Thinking about ditching clipless for platform
#1
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Thinking about ditching clipless for platform
Hey all
.... I like the "connected" feeling of clipless, especially when climbing but there is alway this fear that I won't be able to unclip on time (not unfounded since it has happened) and get seriously messed up (which hasn't happened yet). This is compounded by the fact that I'm a contract employee at the moment and have no health insurance.
So what I'm wondering is:
A.) Should I keep with it and build up confidence? (sounds great but I'm into season two and it's no better)
B.) Try a different design? (Ditch the SPD and go with something like CB's Eggbeater)
C.) Go back to platform?
Any thoughts?
.... I like the "connected" feeling of clipless, especially when climbing but there is alway this fear that I won't be able to unclip on time (not unfounded since it has happened) and get seriously messed up (which hasn't happened yet). This is compounded by the fact that I'm a contract employee at the moment and have no health insurance.
So what I'm wondering is:
A.) Should I keep with it and build up confidence? (sounds great but I'm into season two and it's no better)
B.) Try a different design? (Ditch the SPD and go with something like CB's Eggbeater)
C.) Go back to platform?
Any thoughts?
#3
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I'm a beginner, so I go pretty slow when I'm mountain biking. But I have clipless pedals on my bike, and of all the times I've fallen, the lateral forces of falling have forced my shoes out of the brackets anyway. I think clipless pedals may even be safer, since your feet won't slip off the pedals at an inopportune moment.
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Thanks for your responses Maelstrom and jumpr
A big reason why I'm asking is also that there is a good sale on the eggbeaters, which based on what I've read are a lot more flexible than the SPDs.
*Thanks for the html tags tip
A big reason why I'm asking is also that there is a good sale on the eggbeaters, which based on what I've read are a lot more flexible than the SPDs.
*Thanks for the html tags tip
Last edited by valbowski1980; 04-22-06 at 01:29 PM.
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html tags won't work in vbulletin. They are turned off for security reasons. Replace the <> with [] and the bolding will work
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I have the candy pedal by crank bros., and being my first clipless set, I also wonder if platforms would be a better option. I have fallen a few times with nothing hurt but my pride, thankfully. Though, everytime I take a small jump (1 or 2 feet, light XC), I feel better knowing that my feet won't slip off or bounce off the pedal during the landing. For me, that assurance is probably worth keeping the clipless.
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Originally Posted by j-lip
I have the candy pedal by crank bros., and being my first clipless set, I also wonder if platforms would be a better option. I have fallen a few times with nothing hurt but my pride, thankfully. Though, everytime I take a small jump (1 or 2 feet, light XC), I feel better knowing that my feet won't slip off or bounce off the pedal during the landing. For me, that assurance is probably worth keeping the clipless.
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Originally Posted by Maelstrom
Or you could learn to jump and that won't be a problem. Seriously that doesn't sound safe relying on a product to help you jump means you probably need to practice jumping
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Well, you're probably right. My skills may not be up to par in jumping situations, but my pedals are not the first product I've relied on to help me jump more safely. I also rely on: proper tires, helmet, gloves... Anyways, I ride for fun and I ride for good health. I don't think handicapping my jumping skills by using clipless pedals is much of an issue.
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Originally Posted by leonardotmnt
If your pedals get wet or something it's not all that hard to slip I'd think.
Now flying through a rock garden I have lost my pedal a couple of times on my hardtail. Being bounced around can bet tough
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Originally Posted by j-lip
Well, you're probably right. My skills may not be up to par in jumping situations, but my pedals are not the first product I've relied on to help me jump more safely. I also rely on: proper tires, helmet, gloves... Anyways, I ride for fun and I ride for good health. I don't think handicapping my jumping skills by using clipless pedals is much of an issue.
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You will be able to pedal more efficiently with clipless. If that isn't important to you (freeride, downhill, just messing around, etc), you don't need them. They allow me to hammer up climbs and use the whole stroke of the crank to smoothe the power when I need to. I wouldn't be able to make it with platforms
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Originally Posted by Maelstrom
C). ...I don't like or use clipless.
And as far as jumps on platforms go... well, just try to place your foot more carefully, seriously, pedal slips are not very common, BUT, they tend to happen more when a rider is not confident.
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i like clipless because you can bunny hop a lot higher. and for me, its easier to level out my bike on a landing after a big drop.
pedal efficiency, and well, i like feeling 'oneness with my bicycle.'
pedal efficiency, and well, i like feeling 'oneness with my bicycle.'
#15
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I have to agree with Maelstrom on this one...Flats all the way!!! Especially if you are jumping or anything and it's not that hard to pedal up a hill with platforms...I use mine for XC sometimes.
And about the whole jumping with clipless so you feet don't slip off...I again have to agree with Maelstrom...Jumping with clipless is suicide I would rather have my foot slip off my pedal then fall while clipped in and relying on clipless so you can jump properly is not the best thing to do. Learn to jump...actually learn to do everything in flats will help a LOT with your skills when you go to clipless.
And about the whole jumping with clipless so you feet don't slip off...I again have to agree with Maelstrom...Jumping with clipless is suicide I would rather have my foot slip off my pedal then fall while clipped in and relying on clipless so you can jump properly is not the best thing to do. Learn to jump...actually learn to do everything in flats will help a LOT with your skills when you go to clipless.
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Flats are a cop out!
Connect with your bike and keep it clipless... don't fear the falling - in a crisis situation they unclip very easily. Like this morning when I went over the handlebars after a bad landing from a wheelie.
Connect with your bike and keep it clipless... don't fear the falling - in a crisis situation they unclip very easily. Like this morning when I went over the handlebars after a bad landing from a wheelie.
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how are you in your second season and still cant use them correctly?
when i first rode them, it took me 1 month and i had them down like walking
when i first rode them, it took me 1 month and i had them down like walking
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Originally Posted by dorsalis
i like clipless because you can bunny hop a lot higher. and for me, its easier to level out my bike on a landing after a big drop.
pedal efficiency, and well, i like feeling 'oneness with my bicycle.'
pedal efficiency, and well, i like feeling 'oneness with my bicycle.'
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then maelstrom label me a bad jumper lol.
i've only had plastic flat pedals in my life and they slip like no other.
i've only had plastic flat pedals in my life and they slip like no other.
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Originally Posted by dorsalis
i've only had plastic flat pedals in my life and they slip like no other.
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It is contingent on the sort of riding you do.
But with practice, unclipping becomes natural, and you'll be able to do it quickly even in tight situations.
You might try clipless pedals with a large platforms like the Mallets, though I have a pair and have never gotten much use out the platform.
But with practice, unclipping becomes natural, and you'll be able to do it quickly even in tight situations.
You might try clipless pedals with a large platforms like the Mallets, though I have a pair and have never gotten much use out the platform.
#23
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Originally Posted by gmoneyhobbit
how are you in your second season and still cant use them correctly?
when i first rode them, it took me 1 month and i had them down like walking
when i first rode them, it took me 1 month and i had them down like walking
Like I said before, due to my employment status, a hospital trip isn't an option.
*****
Thanks for all your input guys. Also, if you do use clipless. Please include why you use the brand/type that you do and why you like it better than the others.
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Ok, I've recently went through this same process. When I first bought my bike it came with SPDs. Basically I liked the smooth spinning and it is better for climbing stuff but it was slower to release that flats. I figured that it would get better through the season but even after a full season I was still falling over when I'd get stuck on a climb. This spring I decided to seriously investigate clipless vs flats. My first action was to try out my girlfriends egg beaters and they are *way* easier to get out of. The second was to actual practice getting out of the clips. So the last couple of weeks I have been dorking around with doing trackstands and unclipping on both sides, and from any point on the rotation. It has gotten much better.
Based on my own experience (and stuff in Ned Overend's book) I would say that clipless is a better way to go if you want to climb stuff (smoother = more traction) but you don't mind giving up some efficiency then flats are a fine option and are more forgiving. I think it is more preference than anything.
Based on my own experience (and stuff in Ned Overend's book) I would say that clipless is a better way to go if you want to climb stuff (smoother = more traction) but you don't mind giving up some efficiency then flats are a fine option and are more forgiving. I think it is more preference than anything.
#25
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I had the same problem as you valbowski. Even after riding clipless for 7 months i still had trouble getting out of them. I then switched to eggbeaters and couldnt be happier. I can get out of them just as fast as about anyone can step off of a platform. I dont even know im riding clipless now it is secondnature to unclip. My other pedals thow i had to like work hard to get out of. Try eggbeaters and be happy.