Downhill/Freeride: To Clip-in or Not to Clip-in???
#1
Unlearned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germany
Posts: 17
Bikes: '04 Specialized Enduro Expert//'06 Cannondale Synapse2//'07 Cannondale T800
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Downhill/Freeride: To Clip-in or Not to Clip-in???
I am relatively new on all aspects of biking, I started this obsession on the road clipping into my '06 Cannondale Synapse and Cannondale T800 (like I said, it's an obsession). But now I find myself also riding a mountain bike, a Specialized Enduro (bought it used completely pimped out...very happy) and naturally put clipless pedals on it. Wanting to use the bike for more than just cross-country rides, I found some pretty scary downhills this weekend and in my completely ignorant bliss just went at it without really knowing what I was doing. I HAD A BLAST! But now I wonder to myself...."Self, do you really think it was wise to blast down a mountain at 25MPH while clipped/stuck to a bike without any real hope of breaking free from said bike if disaster strikes?" So, I ask, what is the norm for Downhill and Freeride? Do you clip in or not?
#2
Moar cowbell
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: The 509
Posts: 12,481
Bikes: Bike list is not a resume. Nobody cares.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
Aside from exceptions like Sam Hill, the fast DHers ride clipless pedals. If you feel comfortable, do it. I cannot - - knowing full well that I would be faster/better if I could; but I just can't.
__________________
RST Suspension | Canfield Bikes | 7iDP Protection | Maxxis | Renthal | Hayes | VonZipper Optics | GoPro
Originally Posted by Mark Twain
"Don't argue with stupid people; they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience."
#3
Custom User
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: T0L0K0
Posts: 3,739
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I run clipless on the DH bike when racing or when riding a pedally course or a course where I could get lots of pedal smacks (the V10 has a fairly low BB). I use platforms all other times.
#4
Custom User
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: T0L0K0
Posts: 3,739
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
After you ride clipless enough, clipping out while bailing will be second nature. I had several crashes last season with clipless on the DH bike and the pedals were never the cause of the crash, nor did they contribute to the severity of the crash.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ChapelBorro NC
Posts: 4,126
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 98 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What pedals do you use and how tight do you have them set?
#7
Old School Rad
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: The old Mountains
Posts: 8,206
Bikes: Blur LT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I can't even believe it!
__________________
Like a circus monkey on a stolen Harley......
Like a circus monkey on a stolen Harley......
#9
Old School Rad
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: The old Mountains
Posts: 8,206
Bikes: Blur LT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#10
Wood Licker
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Whistler,BC
Posts: 16,966
Bikes: Trek Fuel EX 8 27.5 +, 2002 Transition Dirtbag, Kona Roast 2002
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
9's good ...
Not clipped in here. At this point it is partially due to availability. In order for me to test it it would cost a fortune because very few companies make cheap size 15 or 16 shoes. I can't justify spending 3 to 400 bucks just to test something out. I don't have the money or the inclination.
Not clipped in here. At this point it is partially due to availability. In order for me to test it it would cost a fortune because very few companies make cheap size 15 or 16 shoes. I can't justify spending 3 to 400 bucks just to test something out. I don't have the money or the inclination.
#11
Nitro
Join Date: May 2007
Location: canyon lake, tx
Posts: 829
Bikes: Salsa
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I feel more confident descending and going over more technical stuff b/c I know my feet aren't gone come off and I can control the bike better.
#12
Just say no to brakes.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Perth...Western Australia
Posts: 1,693
Bikes: All the TGMBG mums
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This thread has been done a time or two over on mtbr heh
I'm a clipless guy, or i was before the bike got stolen, and i found it really confidence inspiring too, especially on new trail features or a new trail, and i would actually highly recommend it to a newbie. If you have them set up right as well, crashes are no problem,as i found on more than one occasion. Just my
I'm a clipless guy, or i was before the bike got stolen, and i found it really confidence inspiring too, especially on new trail features or a new trail, and i would actually highly recommend it to a newbie. If you have them set up right as well, crashes are no problem,as i found on more than one occasion. Just my
#14
Just say no to brakes.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Perth...Western Australia
Posts: 1,693
Bikes: All the TGMBG mums
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ChapelBorro NC
Posts: 4,126
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 98 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
9's good ...
Not clipped in here. At this point it is partially due to availability. In order for me to test it it would cost a fortune because very few companies make cheap size 15 or 16 shoes. I can't justify spending 3 to 400 bucks just to test something out. I don't have the money or the inclination.
Not clipped in here. At this point it is partially due to availability. In order for me to test it it would cost a fortune because very few companies make cheap size 15 or 16 shoes. I can't justify spending 3 to 400 bucks just to test something out. I don't have the money or the inclination.
#17
Unlearned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germany
Posts: 17
Bikes: '04 Specialized Enduro Expert//'06 Cannondale Synapse2//'07 Cannondale T800
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Funny you say that...my bike has Eggbeaters on it and I have the most difficult time getting out of those than anything else. This strikes me as funny as they have no adjustment and seem like they should be easiest. The Look pedals on my road bike are without a doubt the easiest for me to get out of...it's just a very clean 'snap' and I'm out. The eggbeaters feel mushy and grab if I'm not completely over emphasizing the movement to clip out. I think I may order new cleats to see if that fixes anything.
#18
Just say no to brakes.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Perth...Western Australia
Posts: 1,693
Bikes: All the TGMBG mums
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just contemplating this, isnt Sam the first guy in a fair while to win the world champs on flats? Heard that somewhere....
#20
Still kicking.
I'm perfectly fine with either clipless or platforms.
__________________
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
#21
Just say no to brakes.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Perth...Western Australia
Posts: 1,693
Bikes: All the TGMBG mums
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#22
Moar cowbell
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: The 509
Posts: 12,481
Bikes: Bike list is not a resume. Nobody cares.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
^^Aww you saw that before I could sneak in and correct it for him
__________________
RST Suspension | Canfield Bikes | 7iDP Protection | Maxxis | Renthal | Hayes | VonZipper Optics | GoPro
Originally Posted by Mark Twain
"Don't argue with stupid people; they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience."
#23
Banned.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,569
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Funny you say that...my bike has Eggbeaters on it and I have the most difficult time getting out of those than anything else. This strikes me as funny as they have no adjustment and seem like they should be easiest. The Look pedals on my road bike are without a doubt the easiest for me to get out of...it's just a very clean 'snap' and I'm out. The eggbeaters feel mushy and grab if I'm not completely over emphasizing the movement to clip out. I think I may order new cleats to see if that fixes anything.
#24
Unlearned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germany
Posts: 17
Bikes: '04 Specialized Enduro Expert//'06 Cannondale Synapse2//'07 Cannondale T800
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I just bought the bike a month ago and it came with Mallet-C's already on it. The previous owner gave me his cleats and initially I thought they might need replacing but I guess the proof is in the pudding. I will be ordering new ones soonest.
#25
Just say no to brakes.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Perth...Western Australia
Posts: 1,693
Bikes: All the TGMBG mums
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts