wesley_r Posted July 7, 2010 Share So, I don't want clipless pedals... not at all... partly because I'm used to riding a motorbike offroad, so I have developed a loose style of riding that sees me often sticking my feet out in corners, but also because I like to bomb down anything that's more sloped than level (as fast as I can which I am sure is still slower than the pros) and just feel better about having free feet... However, before you go down, you must go up! And I have to say, I would welcome a little more pedal power... So - option 1 - old school - toe clips for the climbs, flip them over for the descents. Could work I guess, but what about the toeclips getting trashed or snagging on tree roots and rocks while under the pedals? Or maybe I should try these which I spotted on CRC: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28933 (anyone supply these locally?) Alternatively - what's the grippiest shoe / pedal combo out there? At the moment, I am wearing an old pair of Vans sneakers and using the stock pedals on my Mongoose Tyax Super, which are actually pretty cool (a metal - not sure exactly what metal - pedal with a wide surface area, little "spikes" and slightly curved surface). What's the grippiest kind of non-clipless pedal out there, and will it make a difference? Or should I be looking at sneakers / trainers with a grippier sole? Or do I just harden up and pedal harder... What say you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squier Posted July 7, 2010 Share It's probably not the answer you want but go with clipless pedals. It's not just about pedalling power but also, when your feet are stuck to the bike you have more control over the bike and less chance of your feet slipping and losing balance, especially on rocky downhills. Yes, you need to get used to it and will fall quite allot in the beginning but once you are used to it, you won't look back. Wrong answer, I know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoe Posted July 7, 2010 Share I'm in agreement with Squier!I'm wrong too, I know... Try them, you'll be surprised at the control they give you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreZA Posted July 7, 2010 Share You do get Shimano pedals that have the clipless mechanism on the on side and plain the other side. It is a great pedal to learn how to use clipless pedals but it will also be good for what you are looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jarryd Haley Posted July 7, 2010 Share Your best bet would be a pair of 5-10 shoes. Very sticky sole. Use those with a pair of crank brothers 50-50 pedals, or something with removeable pins. This should help your feet stick to the pedals like the provebial **** to the carpet. Check out CRC as there are no local importers for 5-10s. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark ellis Posted July 7, 2010 Share ducktape and string Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wesley_r Posted July 7, 2010 Share o yes, i forgot to mention the other reason i don't want to go clipless.......... the cost! mtb is my "other" hobby, so it's the one I don't spend money on IR cheapskate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoe Posted July 7, 2010 Share fair enough - it can be pricey... but worth it. Also, for a cheap pair of shoes and some 2nd hand pedals you could get away with R500-R600...the thing is, stickier soles won't give you any pulling power upwards, which is very helpful in climbing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark ellis Posted July 7, 2010 Share chap why dont you just make the pedals very "loose" so you can unclip fast. it does not take long to get used to them, if downhill rider are running clipless it tels you something Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wesley_r Posted July 7, 2010 Share chap why dont you just make the pedals very "loose" so you can unclip fast. it does not take long to get used to them, if downhill rider are running clipless it tels you something really? i didn't know that - i always assumed those downhill freaks were clipless-less... food for thought... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borriz Posted July 7, 2010 Share If you want second hand pedals then just shout. I have a pair hanging around. As Mark said, just losen the clip/"teeth" then you can still put your foot out when needed. Its not that guys don't fall or don't put their foot down with clipless pedals, it is that there is no difference for them to do it whether they are wearing tekkies of clipless shoes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leet22 Posted July 7, 2010 Share Try Clipless like the other guys have said. I used to ride off road as well many moons ago and also thought that i would put my foot out and down but since rising MTB never had to. Staying clipped in around the corners is easy and If it gets bumpy your feet dont fly off the pedals. B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Brunsdon Posted July 7, 2010 Share Last year I got toeclips and they where great. Go to your LBS and get the GIANT ones for R30 randts. They are made from a very hard plastic. Secret to toe clips is not to tighten them as you still want to be to dismount quickly. Make sure you can remove your foot in a single easy movement. I did Kogelberg with them (twice) and even though I bashed a few rocks they survived without issue. And on my commute in Somerset West they where perfect for our hills. And at R30 randts, its worth it. Also looked at the power grips but I felt that they might become a bit tricky to dismount in an emergency - could just as well got clipless. EDIT: I eventually moved onto clipless and I'm a undecided if it was the better move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Brunsdon Posted July 7, 2010 Share fair enough - it can be pricey... but worth it. Also, for a cheap pair of shoes and some 2nd hand pedals you could get away with R500-R600...the thing is, stickier soles won't give you any pulling power upwards, which is very helpful in climbing And at that price you could rather stick to toe clips. I bought 2nd hand pedals last year and should have rather paid in an extra R200 bucks and got new ones. With 2nd hand your not going to get cleats, so you need to factor in another R120 randts. Then you also want to not get those Mr Price crap for shoes but rather Olympics (or similar) and thats R500-R600 alone. I would say, from experience, that the conversion is at least R1000 to make it worth your while (I paid R1300 last year this time for mine). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark ellis Posted July 7, 2010 Share i would say you can get out of clipless faster than toeclips, youshould maybe look at the following type: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=19411 dual side, normal pedal teeth on one side, clipless on the other Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gummibear Posted July 7, 2010 Share o yes, i forgot to mention the other reason i don't want to go clipless.......... the cost! mtb is my "other" hobby, so it's the one I don't spend money on IR cheapskate! I was like that to,until i bought a decent bike and shoes.Now my road bike stands iand i ride Mtb most of the time.Get some clipless pedals and see how much fun it really is. Decent flat pedals and 5-10 shoes are going to be more expensive than Olympic shoes and Shimano pedals.I ride Look quartz pedals and love them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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