How much better are clipless pedals?
 

i've got a set of wellgo platform pedals on my bike right now and am looking at getting some crank bros. candy c's and some diadora shoes for about $100 shipped. i was just wondering how much better clipless pedals are and how long it will take to get used to them? i ride my bike to commute as well as on trails.
Thanks

Night and day.

like blam! ka-blow! amaaaazing!

I have some ****ty old shimano clipless that are a couple years old, but I think they kick ass on trail. You get so much better control on technical runs. On the other hand, I have busted my ass because of them more times than I can count, but im not the most coordinated person. Took me awile to get used to pulling my feet out at an angle.

i want to spend around $100 for the pedals, shoes, and cleats. what are some good kinds of each?

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/imgWr...B02.jpg&type=2

100 bucks at jenson.

<-------------------> This much better! BTW,I think you'll like the Candy's.

Amazing. I bought a set of shimano pedals for $50, and a pair of MTB shoes on clearance with my new road bike ($100 total for the setup) and LOOOOOVED them so much I bought another set of pedals for the MTB. Sooo much nicer all around. Easier to hop, easier to ride up hills. The only problem I have found (which was a similar problem with normal pedals) is getting started on a steep incline. I am sure with a bit more work I will be able to pull it off nicely though.

As someone with the same question, I am 1000000% glad I jumped at the chance to try them for $100. It is simply amazing.

I wouldn't bother with Candys on a MTB. Just get regular eggbeaters. Pricepoint usually runs a combo special with eggbeaters and Sette shoes (and other pedals). The shoes are not bad.

should i get some candys or eggbeaters or maybe just some spds

I've tried the eggbeaters, but it left the ball of my foot numb after an hour, the candy's have a lil bit of platform, my feet never get numb except the time I did a 50 mile road ride.

Seems more like a problem w/ cleat positioning as oppsed to the pedal itself. Try moving the cleat forward a little for a ride, then maybe scoot it back the next ride and see if that fixes it.

Also, if you're running a standard mtn shoe w/ a stiff sole, you're not gonna notice the tiny bit of platform that the Candy offers. Or even the Mallets for that matter. You will notice the platform with shoes like 661 Launch shoes, that sacrifice some of the stiffness of the sole (although they are still stiffer than tennis shoes) in order to have a tacky sole, so you can unclip and not slide all over your pedals.

a bazillion percent..Time Atacs FTW

clipless are the way to go. much more power and less shin injuries.

Time Atac Aluminum on Ebay for about $40-$50 with cleats if you look.

Yes, I run 661 sessions, so that may explain why my experience may be different than others,and thanks for the heads up on cleat position, I've had it in the most forward position, and now I will try it in the other position!:beer:

carry the allen key around when you ride and fiddle with it, once you find the sweet spot use a marker to outline it's postion. that way don't have to screw around the next time you change cleats.

On top of fiddling with cleat positioning, if that doesn't relieve the numbness, and you plan on keeping your Sessions, possible look into getting a pedal like the Time ATAZ Z's or the Mallets. With the softer sole shoe, they'll spread your weight out over a greater area, while standard Eggies or even Candies put a lot of pressure in small area.

I've heard a few people complain of numbness with eggbeaters, but quite a few more who love them for their weight and the fact that they're a little easier to clip in than other designs.

I just have some fairly cheap Shimanos. I definitely like them, but when I plan on riding the rougher trails, I swap them out for my Wellgo platforms. For "all-mountain" type riders it's worthwhile to have a set of each and a pedal wrench, in my opinion.

Well, it was my 1st 50 miler on a MTB on the road, so I expected some pressure on my body and feet. On the trails though, no problems.
However, I have heard all good things abut Time's ATAC's and may try them...you're such a smooth seller...wait, don't you work in a bike shop?:p :beer:

Clipless vs flats....depends on how you ride...I will take flats every time thanks

If you really want to stay under 100 for both you probably can't go with egg-beaters, shimano makes a platform spd combo for around 70, performance bike carries a Fort'e platform spd combo for around 35 on sale. performance and jenson always have some good sales on shoes, and almost all include cleats. I swear by the platform combos. You don't always need your riding shoes, great for just hopping on the bike and going around the block with the kids, nice when you get into the really hairy stuff, you can plant your feet solid and not get stuck in. Crank bros makes platform combos but it will go over your budget, and they are probably the better system. Clipless are well worth it, you will notice a night and day difference. I climb hills I never could have done before and bunny hopping becomes much easier( for me just possible) a little warning though, you will bust your ass a few times getting used to them, but once you train your brain on how to clip out it will be easier than toe clips by far and much better than platform only.

I don't know if clipless are any better than platforms. It all depends on what you like to run. Some folks love to ride platforms, I like clipless.........the Times work well for me.

I wouldn't say that it's the night and day, orgasmic kind of difference like everyone else seems to think it is. But it's worth spending a hundred bucks on, and then putting some time into getting used to.

The learning curve depends partly on you, and also on the terrain you ride. If it's easy XC stuff, a couple of weeks should be fine. Practice unclipping somewhere away from traffic though. Toppling over at traffic lights is kind of embarrassing.