01amberfirewv

I’ve yet to hit the trails with me new clipless pedals because I want to get used to them first. My confidence is starting to build so I thought I would try some wheelies and endos. I pulled the rear wheel up then popped a wheelie and the next thing I knew I was laying on the ground. No injuries so all is good and I still really like pedals. I also played on some of the hills and noticed that I can move up from the granny gear to the middle cog on the short steep climbs

MulletArgyleman

awesome, I've never had any clipless pedals though - I prefer platforms.

01amberfirewv

I've been riding with toe clips since I got the bike in 94 and figured I would try clipless. They definitly make a big difference. I still have my old peddals though in case I am doing anything too dificult

streetlightpoet

after working all day and all night I did my first clipless trail ride last weekend, and my second clipless ride ever (needed to ride to work with em on my mtn bike since I was going straight from work.) I was amazed that I did not land on my face at all. In fact I didn't fall once (came very close about 12 times though!)

norco_rider77

I'm thinking you and me do a different type of riding though (I use platforms too).

MulletArgyleman

Skate park/dj/freeride/street/trails?

M_S

How exactly is it possible to decide a preference base don performance reasons without actually having tried one of the two options?

I'd really like to know your methodology as it could potentially save me a lot of money in the future.

MulletArgyleman

Well......I have tried clipless pedals (using intended cleats), and I sorta felt...well I felt like I was trapped or something - I prefer the freedom of platforms for my riding style.

bob_s

I ride clipless it can feel like you are trapped however the power gained is nice. One thing to consider if you are riding clipless is to loosen the tension screw up until it takes very little pressure to release your shoe from the clip. Done correctly your foot will pop out when you you need to bail. If you have not bought clipless pedals and are looking for a pair they make a set that has flat pedals on one side and clipless on the other. I have these and they work really well.

rankin116

Very first time on clipless, I was on the road, came to a dead stop, tried to get a foot out, and I slowly tipped over. Luckily no one was around to witness.

01amberfirewv

Mine was a pretty slow fall, long enough for me to get a long arugh out before hitting the ground. There were a few neighborhood kids around but thats ok I watch them fall all of the time

pm63

I'm wondering... what advantages do clipless give over platforms? I know it is more efficiant but why is this. Also, what's it like to do fast, DH-style trails with clipless. Do you have to go slower in case you fall?

01amberfirewv

You can pedal through the entire revolution. I don’t have to granny gear hills that I used to because I am putting more power to the pedals. I feel more in control of the bike also and don’t have to worry about coming off of the pedals when heading down hill. The down fall of course is if I wipe out off road I may still be connected. I am sure I will get used to them though.

I did notice that the left pedal requires much more rotation to disengage than the right but they are adjustable. All in all though it give the bike a much better feel

ciras3

I just got pedals and shoes this weekend. I'm sure everyone goes through the same scenario of thinking oh sh*t as they are falling onto their side when they can't get their shoe out of the pedal. I know I did. It took a couple of tests to get the pedals where I wanted them while riding around in my back yard. I'm finding that the hardest thing is getting the shoes clipped INTO the pedals. Is there a trick ?

01amberfirewv

I had a horrible time getting cliped into the Nashbar specials I had before but I go into the M520s like butt'a. I clip one in before I get started then just stand on the other and they seem to clip right in. I guess some are just easier than others. I am still having a horrible time getting my left shoe out. It seems like my foot has to rotate at a 90 degree angle before it will unclip. I still love the pedals, they really make me bike perform better. I am planning on getting a newer bike and better pedals next year so hopfuly I will be used to them by then

ciras3

Hmm.. Ok.. yah that's what I bought this weekend was the SPD M520. Bought a pair of specialized MTB shoes. I guess it will just take some getting used to. I'm still a little apprehensive about going out on a trail with the clipless but I'm sure it's a learning thing. Did it take you a while to figure out how to get them clipped in ?

Tappets

Unless you've mastered these, here are some things I've found to avoid while clipped in:

Wheelies.
Stoppies or anything related.
Big jumps or drops.

Just what I've discovered. Results may vary.

MulletArgyleman

I always fall......but that's what happens when you try a superman........and fail.

MulletArgyleman

holy f#%K!! imagine a 30 foot drop, clipped-in on a 16" rigid bike!!

scrublover

practice, practice, practice. just like anythinge else, they have a learning curve.

riding ugly terrain on clipless isn't any harder than with flats. even the DH racing camp seems pretty split on flats vs. clipless. i can post up tons of pics of riders doing ugly/big lines with clipless pedals. i'm sure other folks can too.

yeah, super big dropping and hucking, most of those guys are on flats. but come on, they are doing stuff so far outside the norm of the average rider that it's not even comparable.

ridethecliche

Setting the screw too loose will cause you to unclip when you're trying to power up a hill. I've had that happen to me a few times and it sucks because you have to either stop and walk up or you fall over.

Dannihilator

I do a bunch of wheelies and manuals and am clipped in always.

DirtPedalerB

I recently tried the clipless pedals.. I really hate them, well I hate the shoes atleast.. seems like I lost a layer of padding somewhere and now my knees and the bottom of my feet hurt after a 20 mile ride.. maybe I will try some insoles or something..

I don't really find them that much faster or more efficient either. Think I may stick with my power grips

scrublover

you need to adjust the cleat placement on you shoes.

DirtPedalerB

edit rather than thread jacking this one I will create a new thread