Downhill and clipless
#1
Just a rider
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Branford, CT
Posts: 113
Bikes: 03' kona stinky and 03' Azonic Ds-1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Im going to start doing some downhill racing soon, starting in April. I was wondering if I should go with a clipless set up or stay with platform pedals? Im going to either get a pair of azonic a-frames or save up more money for something like this https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/126...C-Z-Pedals.htm or https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/134...-M3-Pedals.htm or https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/134...t-C-Pedals.htm . Also the mallet c pedals, can i ride those without the shoes if i need to? thanks
#2
Toyota Racing Dev.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Knoxville, TN baby!
Posts: 3,339
Bikes: 2004 Kona Hoss Dee-Lux
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The mallets you can, but not for long distance...the cleat does still come up a bit. As far as riding clipless downhill...most prefer platform from what I've seen.
#3
la vache fantôme
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: NH
Posts: 6,266
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
You wwant to go with the Mallet deal. I dont see clipless a good idea when going downhill, but clipless offers huge benefits. So if you use the mallet pedals you can unclip and still have a huge platform, where the other ones offer only a tiny platform for what you want. Plus the Mallet has the best reviews, the time atac Z's are great pedals. But you want a platform, so go for hte Mallet.
#5
Toyota Racing Dev.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Knoxville, TN baby!
Posts: 3,339
Bikes: 2004 Kona Hoss Dee-Lux
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah...I like my mallets alot, but I would NOT recommend long term riding on them clipless.
#6
la vache fantôme
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: NH
Posts: 6,266
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
your probably right there, but i doubt he is affected by that if hes doing downhill racing. The clipless can always help him climb the beast back up the hill
#7
Toyota Racing Dev.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Knoxville, TN baby!
Posts: 3,339
Bikes: 2004 Kona Hoss Dee-Lux
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by phantomcow2
your probably right there, but i doubt he is affected by that if hes doing downhill racing. The clipless can always help him climb the beast back up the hill
#8
Ride bike or bike ride?
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 1,447
Bikes: MongoosePro DH, Dart custom road bike, .243 Racing FR street bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You'll be find using clipless in DH, lots of pro riders do it. Also a couple of people at the local DH races do it and they are so quick off the line it's not funny and they also seem to be able to pedal over rocks better.
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 21
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I worked up to DH from XC, so I used to ride DH with a PD-M636 when they first came out... A much better way to compete IMO. I didn't really see the attraction of BMX-style pedals for hardcore riding until I switched to more big-drop freeride style.
However, any wide platform clipless pedal is pretty useless with regular shoes for any serious riding in my experience, and the 'dual purpose' is only applicable when going down the shops or whatever.
I've not ridden in ages, so when I finally managed to throw some bikes together a couple of weeks ago I tried getting back into one of the 636's I still had in storage. These scare me now
However, any wide platform clipless pedal is pretty useless with regular shoes for any serious riding in my experience, and the 'dual purpose' is only applicable when going down the shops or whatever.
I've not ridden in ages, so when I finally managed to throw some bikes together a couple of weeks ago I tried getting back into one of the 636's I still had in storage. These scare me now
#11
Just a rider
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Branford, CT
Posts: 113
Bikes: 03' kona stinky and 03' Azonic Ds-1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If i did get the mallet pedals, i would always clip in for the racing and downhills. It is just sometimes if im doing a trail ride where im jumping off stuff and what not, i may not want to clip in incase i need to bail out. If i rode without clipping in it would be only for short distances.
#13
Brooklyn's Finest
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 108
Bikes: Brooklyn Machine Works Killer B Race Link,Evil Imperial, Brooklyn Machine Works Park Bike, Santa Cruz Heckler, IRO MarkV
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
clips work for Dh but i prefer to use platforms. im good at unclipping but when the terrain is hairly platforms are where its at for me. maybe you'd be at an advantage clipped in on a long ,smooth,fast courses but those are few and far between at places like plattekill and diablo. if you do go for for clip pedals i like the time control Z. the seem burly and they shed mud and snow well.
Last edited by chaloots; 02-14-05 at 01:48 PM.
#14
Just a rider
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Branford, CT
Posts: 113
Bikes: 03' kona stinky and 03' Azonic Ds-1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by chaloots
clips work for Dh but i prefer to use platforms. im good at unclipping but when the terrain is hairly clips are where its at. maybe you'd be at an advantage clipped in on a long ,smooth,fast courses but those are few and far between at places like plattekill and diablo. as for clip pedals i like the time control Z. the seem burly and they shed mud and snow well.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Parrish, FL
Posts: 7,963
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Depends on the course. If it's super technical with a lot of rock gardens and roots, then platforms. If it's a DH with a lot of pedaling in between then the clipless.
Buy both and decide during practice.
Buy both and decide during practice.
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
#16
snow
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Henniker, USA
Posts: 794
Bikes: Rootbeer Bullit, stock......soon to be a transgold V10 w/shivers
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I think it really depends what kinda tech though. For big rock gardens id probably want plat unless I was good at unclipping. Normal tech stuff though clips are good because you can pedal through it, youd be bounced off your pedals with platforms. Thats at least why im thinking about pickin up some mallets and oakleys.
#17
My life be like ooh aah
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 1,409
Bikes: Giant Boulder SE 2000, Craftworks FRM125 2002
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I dont ride clipless DH and dont think i ever will. I like to stick my foot out when things get sketchy, not to mention the shocking injuries you can get if you dont unclip in time when you crash (I know someone who crashed and didnt get their foot out in time and broke their leg in 5 places- was in a cast for over a year- ouch!)
Of course you will be able to pedal trrough rock gardens better- your feet arent getting thrown around as much but i dont think its worth it.
Also, the Mallet Cs are perfectly flat and the spindle does not go above the platform. (Dont make me go and scan the ad for them in a magazine i got to prove it!)
If you are really unsure, get the Mallets because you can always use them as platforms.
Of course you will be able to pedal trrough rock gardens better- your feet arent getting thrown around as much but i dont think its worth it.
Also, the Mallet Cs are perfectly flat and the spindle does not go above the platform. (Dont make me go and scan the ad for them in a magazine i got to prove it!)
If you are really unsure, get the Mallets because you can always use them as platforms.
#18
Campy or bust :p
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 3,139
Bikes: Surly Karate Monkey commuter build
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
interesting... pwrd has a set.. and the mech protrudes slightly. Are you saying his are faulty?
#19
My life be like ooh aah
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 1,409
Bikes: Giant Boulder SE 2000, Craftworks FRM125 2002
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Nope, i dont know what the deal is. I can scan that pic if you REALLY want me to, its a real crank bros ad.
#20
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
It varries. Most of the best pros use clipless, but I could never do it. Not worth the risk, I would much rather be unattached