Mac2131

Alright, been debating over going clipless for a little now, I converted about a year ago on my roadbike and now I'd never ride without em.... As for mountainbiking I can't be so sure. I've been riding for only a few months now and have since mastered some of the more docile trails and could see going clipless on those but I'm begining to see myself as more of a technical rider and love hitting the rocky lake trails which I just don't see as safe. So my question is for you technical riders out there... Is it still advisable to go clipless on the gnarly stuff? If so are mtnbike clipless different/looser than road bike? I have speedplay pedals on my roadie and love the ease of in and out but couldn't see even them on trails. Also I know you can adjust the tension on my road cleats can you do the same on mountain bikes? If so what's a good, semi-cheap pedal that's easy to get in... And more importantly, out of that you would suggest for more technical trails?
Thanks in advance for your input!

mtnbiker66

SPDs are adjustable. I really like the Time pedals, they are easy to get in and out of but not adjustable.

Pocko

I know some BMX racers and DH racers who have gone clipless from platform and are all the better for it. They all do pretty nasty technical stuff. If you can make the transition and can ride both, go for it.

troie

For future reference, "going to the dark side" is going from road to mtb.

And to answer your question, get these and never look back.

brandonspeck

I started doing a lot of technical trails with my dad, and I was also unsure about going to clipless. I have egg beaters on my fixed gear, and I tried them out on my mountain bike, and it was pretty seemless.

Egg Beaters are really easy to get into, and real easy to get out of too. For someone who's just starting more technical rides, I'd recommend the Egg Beaters.

-_RebelRidin'_-

Shimano SPD's are cheaper and work just fine/
easy in/easy out.

gbg

I have shimano xt's and think they are the best, but I don't have any REALLY technical stuff to ride on.
I would be nervous about crawling over rocks or roots at 1mph (especially with a 6' drop off on either side) and have to put a foot down quick, especially if you have your weight on it. But I guess some people can do it.

mtnbiker66

Based on what? How much time have you spent on Time or Crank Bros?

gbg

Based on 4 years of using them. And they don't dig groves in the bottom of my expensive cycling shoes that make for a sloppy feel when engaged (crank brothers).

Cakes

Clipless is the way to go, IMO. Riding technical trails while clipped in makes a lot of sense to me as it creates the greatest amount of control over the bike. I have ridden Shimano and Crank Bros and think they are both good brands with a lot of different models to chose from.

mumbles

Depends on how you ride. If you are riding technical trail and can't make it up the steep side of a dip, find yourself stopping or putting your foot down a lot, then wait on the clipless till you are keeping your feet on the pedals more. Start out using them on easy trails. SPD's are adjustable so you can get out of them easier than eggbeaters. Nothing hard about getting out of an eggbeater, it just takes a bit more of a twist. Do you need your feet tied to the pedals, are they slipping off a lot? That is one reason I hear people say they wear clipless. I have tried clipless and so far prefer my platforms. I have learned to keep my weight on my feet so they don't slip off the pedals. I don't like being restrained.

Mr. Underbridge

I went through the same decision last year. I finally decided that a decent compromise was SPDs with fairly loose tension. I really like the security of having my feet locked down on the pedals, especially when I'm out of the saddle on rocky trails. But keeping the tension loose lets you bail easily. Works for me.

I know what you mean though, it's tough at first to let yourself go barreling down a rocky hill with your feet clipped in. Just keep at it and you'll build confidence.

Cakes

That is kind of funny, I see it as being more connected than restrained.

gbg

I'm more scared of falling over at near a standstill
I think if you are going to eat it at 20mph down a hill it will hurt just as much clipped in or not.
I remember crashing (at about 18mph) and seeing my bike rip off my feet and continue on about about 50 feet past where I stopped.

Dannihilator

I broke two sets of xt pedals in the span of one year.

For clipless pedals on the mtb, I am having luck with PDM540's.

Zephyr11

Seconded. Same weight as the XT's for a lot less money. Tension is adjustable, and it's easy to get in and out. Not going to lie though...I'd love to give ATAC's a chance. Not sure if I want to change pedals on multiple bikes though (or play musical cleats for that matter).

gbg

Hey I had 520's and they worked fine. They are still in the big ol used parts bin. I got the XT's new for $69 on E-bay and thought that was a great deal. I wasn't going to do $159+ for the XTR's since i knew they are just going to get scratched up anyway.

Cyclist01012

I am going to have to throw in my 2 cents. Everyone is preaching the gospel of SPT, Time and Egg beaters.

Speedplay Fogs! After 4 years of riding nothing but SPD a friend talked me into the Frogs, Why did i wait so long. Easier in and quicker out/ I have raced cross with spd and have packed enough mud into pedals that I couldn’t get in or out. After long rides in the winter I have gotten home and found my feet frozen to the pedals. Switched everything I own to Spedplays and don't see myself going back.

Now I have to figure out what to do with the pile of SPD's on the work bench.

Dannihilator

Am really familiar with Frogs and being a speedplay fan myself for the road and with platforms got to say something about the frogs.

While great for road and smooth trails, if the trails you ride are anywhere near technical, you may want to stay away from the frogs, the retension on the frogs are not good and you can find yourself accidentally unclipping in the middle of something that you shouldn't be off the pedals for.

Kablooie

I've been using M540's for about 5 months now, and they are awesome. I feel like I can push the bike around more when I'm clipped in, and the efficiency gained is awesome. On the technical stuff, uphill or downhill, with the tension set low, I can always unclip if I want to, and it's nice knowing your feet won't fly off the pedals in the rough stuff.

Ka_Jun

I like Time Aliums.

PunctualAlex

Really? For me it's way tougher to go barreling down anything without being clipped in, I feel like I'm gonna get bucked off any second. Maybe it's just because I learned to ride with clipless, but I can't fathom riding without them.

M_S

Truth be told while all the systems have pros and cons they all work pretty well. At least compared to early generation stuff...

-_RebelRidin'_-

Clipless>

no probs. with my M520's
40 bucks well spent.
what cost me was the shoe.

junkyard

Clipless are fine for technical applications.