breaker Posted January 13, 2014 Share So I've been mtbing for just over a year now and just can't stand the comments and looks of disgust at me and my flats.I can just here their thoughts... "such a noob", "pffft amature", " " . lol. Actually I couldn't care , but reckon I can't knock it till I try it and apparently it will help me in my inability to climb. Sooo what do I need to get cleated up, besides the obvious cleats and shoes. What do I need to look out for etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibruegge Posted January 13, 2014 Share SPD pedals - set them to the lowest unclipping resistance (little allen key needed) for easy exit. practice a few times and you'll be fine. three years down the line, I have still set mine to the lowest resistance :-) SilverRider, MuddyMike, MTBc and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePubSA Posted January 13, 2014 Share You might just be lost ... or with the wrong crowd...Plenty guys on the mountain with flats.... just ask here... and get to tokai. Disclaimer;; i dont know what kind of cycling you like Josh0 and Sidewinder. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTBc Posted January 13, 2014 Share Give this a read http://www.bikejames.com/strength/the-flat-pedal-revolution-manifesto-how-to-improve-your-riding-with-flat-pedals/ It's great to know how to ride with cleats, but if you don't enjoy it, then don't. One of the things that stuck out for me was: "You ride better with flat pedals, you ride faster with cleats" Pedals + cleats and riding shoes is all you need. I just got a pair of Scott mtb shoes (had Bontrager previously) and both were very lekker, with Shimano SPD (something like the PD-m780) pedals. These are clipless-only, very difficult to ride without cleats as they'll roll, but some of the Look or Candy work well with clipless or as flats. Make sure your pedals are set to unclip as easily as possible. You are gonna fall, regardless. Get ready for it. breaker 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LazyTrailRider Posted January 13, 2014 Share You'll need to approach it gradually.Stage 1: Ride only on the road. Get used to the action needed to clip in. Purposefully think about unclipping every time you stop (this doesn't come naturally at first). The key here is not having to stop suddenly, thus no singletrack.Stage 2: Go off-road, but jeeptrack only, where you'll need to stop more often but can still have a moment or two's chance to think about unclipping.Stage 3: The full monty. By this time, you'll be able to unclip without consciously making the decision to. It'll take a while, but you'll get there. If you want to try it out, I'm giving away a pair of old shoes: https://www.bikehub.co.za/index.php?app=hubmarket&do=view_item&item_id=75445 breaker 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTBc Posted January 13, 2014 Share Stage 1: Ride only on the road. or maybe grass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LazyTrailRider Posted January 13, 2014 Share or maybe grass. Or that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTBc Posted January 13, 2014 Share Or that. Then again... if you're riding on grass, you might completely forget to unclip, fall over, and lie there giggling uncontrollably. Hairy, DR ◣◢, ruib and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Latent Blue Posted January 13, 2014 Share Ill just say.In our muddy surroundings in KZN i often struggle with mud/muck in my SPD's Cycled with a buddy yesterday... his egg beaters does not give the same problems Patensie and feetup 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G00SE Posted January 13, 2014 Share Sooo what do I need to get cleated up, besides the obvious cleats and shoes. What do I need to look out for etc. Besides the obvious, you need to find a good shrink before hand. This will come in handy helping you get over the humiliation of your first parking lot topple over. breaker 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flat29 Posted January 13, 2014 Share Then again... if you're riding on grass, you might completely forget to unclip, fall over, and lie there giggling uncontrollably. have done that plenty. Been riding for 10 years now and last weekend I forgot to unclip again and had my mates rolling on the grass laughing at me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rouxtjie Posted January 13, 2014 Share Ill just say.In our muddy surroundings in KZN i often struggle with mud/muck in my SPD's Cycled with a buddy yesterday... his egg beaters does not give the same problemsAsk him about rebuilds and float.... Grebel, Baaisikilist and Hairy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtrider Posted January 13, 2014 Share So I've been mtbing for just over a year now and just can't stand the comments and looks of disgust at me and my flats.I can just here their thoughts... "such a noob", "pffft amature", " " . lol. Actually I couldn't care , but reckon I can't knock it till I try it and apparently it will help me in my inability to climb. Sooo what do I need to get cleated up, besides the obvious cleats and shoes. What do I need to look out for etc. Ok must be a SlaapStad thing , they are a bit snobbish on that side . I changed from cleated to Flats about 2 years ago and to be honest don't think I will go back again . nimthor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breaker Posted January 13, 2014 Share I've resigned myself to the fact that I will fall, maybe this will make be a bit less of a kamakazi, always had comfort in the fact that I could jump off my bike at anytime, so was always willing to do anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breaker Posted January 13, 2014 Share Ok must be a SlaapStad thing , they are a bit snobbish on that side . I changed from cleated to Flats about 2 years ago and to be honest don't think I will go back again .How come? cleats to flats I mean, not the snobbish bit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtrider Posted January 13, 2014 Share How come? cleats to flats I mean, not the snobbish bit It just makes it so much more fun and easier . Running around the pub after a MTB ride is those stupid shoes wasn't fun at all . Before I would not just jump on the bike to go down to the shops , now I jump on the bike if I need to go to the school meeting !! I suppose if you a top racer cleats does help but for the middle of the field people it help nothing . breaker 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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