Use of MTB cleats vs Flat Pedals (Advice needed)

[droo]

+ 1 to Hog. Trackstands have saved me often, espscially on technical climbs.

 

 

 

As far as pedals go, it depends on your riding style. I ride clips for races and flatties for fun. I find it helps to learn control, and I can get rid of the bike if it all goes t*ts up.

 

 

 

For practice, sit on your bike on an IDT or lean against something and just clip in and out a few (hundred?) times, until the movement becomes second nature.

 

 

 

Then go ride, knowing that you can clip out quickly. The same as with so much on a bike, 90% of it is in your head. Don't panic and think you'll fall over, and you probably won't. Just keep the rubber side down.

 

 

 

As for the sand - keep the front wheel light, don't panic if you start drifting, and remember that nothing will pitch you off faster than your brakes.droo2009-07-20 04:04:58

[GTfan]

Once you go cleats you never go back

[parabola]

 

Its a steep learning curve and I honestly say Iv'e had my fair share of falls with clips and continue to do so. First thing you notice with clipless is that you can actually pedal hard when the bike is fluttering about, without worrying about your feet slipping off the pedals. On long XC rides I would'nt think twice before reaching for my clipless shoes and pedals.

 

I find riding rough terrain on a hardtail downright dangerous on flats, and my shins have many marks to prove so. Your spend so much time shuffling your feet around that its harder to focus on whats happening in front of you.

 

However I prefer riding flats when I'm just messing around on not-too-rough stuff, ie dirt jumping or just riding the street. But because I've been using the cheap-ass mosh pedals I make sure I wear shin guards otherwise those pins will do terrible things to your legs in a crash.

parabola2009-07-20 04:14:30

[droo]

 

Its a steep learning curve and I honestly say Iv'e had my fair share of falls with clips and continue to do so. First thing you notice with clipless is that you can actually pedal hard when the bike is fluttering about' date=' without worrying about your feet slipping off the pedals. On long XC rides I would'nt think twice before reaching for my clipless shoes and pedals.I find riding rough terrain on a hardtail downright dangerous on flats, and my shins have many marks to prove so. Your spend so much time shuffling your feet around that its harder to focus on whats happening in front of you. However I prefer riding flats when I'm just messing around on not-too-rough stuff, ie dirt jumping or just riding the street. But because I've been using the cheap-ass mosh pedals I make sure I wear shin guards otherwise those pins will do terrible things to your legs in a crash.

 

[/quote']

 

 

 

I find dropping my seat helps with rough terrain at speed, it leaves room to use my legs to absorb bumps without my feet hopping off. But shin pads do help...

[Wernervdmerwe]

Yup, also fell often in the beginning.

 

I went from SPD to Look, which un-clips a lot easier until I go more used to it (the ones I had, you could un-clip normally by bringing the heel out or in), or by peeling the foot of - went back to SPD's soon as I had the hang of it sorta, as the easy un-clip actually becomes annoying, especially if you are climbing and want to do a great push, but end up almost throwing yourself off the bike as your foot unclipped..

 

 

 

The guys behind me always found that very funny though - so it has it's perks

[thehermanator]

Sand at Cullinan almost took me down yesterday.  Got a tip from local guru to keep weight back and pressure off the handlbars' date=' allowing your front wheel to 'bob' on the sand rather than dig in.  It helps, but takes practice to be effective.

[/quote']

 

Hey are you secretly practicing for Sunday?s race at Babbas ???<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

[thehermanator]

I very quickly made the distinction between falling down (anytime during a ride) and falling over (with cleats) when you can not unclip fast enough. <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

[IdeJongh]

Sand at Cullinan almost took me down yesterday.  Got a tip from local guru to keep weight back and pressure off the handlbars' date=' allowing your front wheel to 'bob' on the sand rather than dig in.  It helps, but takes practice to be effective.

[/quote']

 

Hey are you secretly practicing for Sunday?s race at Babbas ???<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

Yes those sandy corners remain a b!tch.

Are you going Sunday?  I read your having some issues with your back?

[thehermanator]

I will be there on Sunday yes. Its just on long rides ? yesterday done a 70km ride and its just becoming a pain  so hope its just a setup issue ? I will see. So I will see you there? I will call your name out loud and hope you respond. <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

[IdeJongh]

Hahaha.  Ja will be there.  Still deciding if Im doing the 70 or 35.  You doing 35?  Why didnt you do Cullinan? Was awesome.

[thehermanator]

I need some training time so I do a race every second week, I did the Walkerville race last week and finished 18^th ? that was a cool race too. I will hopefully see you then? I am the only one with a Giant Anthem X1 there so you can?t miss me. Yea I will do the 35km again, but not for long.... if I can sort out my setup and back ache then I am going for the big ones. <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

[IdeJongh]

Sh!t 18th at Walkerville, well done!

Finished 181th out of ~500 for the 60km at Cullinan on Saturday, was a great race.  Enough of this thread hijacking, will come say hi on Sunday!

[SilverMountain]

Thanks Droo, makes sense to practice while stationary. Think I have been too eager to get riding and need to clip in and out before setting out.

In regard to sand, I agree that brakes may be part of the problem with creating a slide and it may be better to reduce weight in the front and try to get through without any brakes.

[SilverMountain]

Thanks for all the advice re- balance and loosening the pedals. Am looking forward to a better ride.