I feel like clipless is restricting my adventures side.

[Edwin Watson]

Hey guys

 

At the end of Decemember I switched over to clipless Pedals and have found that while I am on the trails I tend to be more careful,in other words I don't go as fast as I can around bends and going downhill I don't take the risks I would normally for a bit of a rush due to my worries of not being able to unclip if something does go wrong.

 

Has anyone else felt like this when changing over to clipless pedal's? I currently have PD-M505 pedals and have them on the loosest setting which works well but I still feel it takes a extra second to put your foot on the floor.

 

Should I switch back to Flat pedals and get some awesome flats(like Wellgo for example) with a pair of Five Ten shoes or should I stick it out? Or should I buy pedals with Both(one side Clipless and the other flat) which I am seriously considering. This way I can clip in when on a easy trail or riding up a hill and when doing the more technical tracks I can unclip and use the flat side. If this is the case will Crank Brothers Mallet pedals be ideal or do you recommend something else?

 

Thanks all

[Squier]

You just need to get used to the pedals and clipping out. I run Shimano SPDs as well and don't have any trouble unclipping in a "oh crap" situation. Being clipped in gives you more control over your bike anyway.

 

I'd say stick it out end get used to it. I would also suggest setting the pedal to be as loose as possible (if that makes sense) so that you can clip out more easily. As you get used to it you can gradually tighten the pedals.

[leet22]

The way i see it is unless you going slow by time your foot is off the pedal its to late anyway. I find I have more confidence going a bit mad with feet clipped in to no. I get uneasy when i cant clip in. I use to hate clip less but now I love it.

Try the shimano DX 640 i think they have a cage around the clips which will help you. They cool when u just want to get going before clipping in.

[Redbaobab]

Correct me if i'm wrong here but the Mallets aren't a one side no-clipless and other side clipless system - they allow you to use different shoes for different trails, if your shoes have cleats both sides will clip in. Again, I stand to be corrected on this but I don't think you even get a system like that - surely it would make the side you need really difficult?!?

 

As a relatively new clipless user, I remember feeling exactly the same and still do on occasion but as you relax and get used to them it becomes just as simple as flat pedals. Having said that I still miss the flat pedals and will probably get into the habit of selecting my pedals according to the trail in future.

[nolipoli]

Hey Edwin

 

I rode flats for a long time before switching to clipless. It did take a while to get used to but now I would be hard pressed to go back to flats for my trail riding.

 

That said, I have flats on my DH bike...

 

How is your Trance?

[FC&P2C]

The gain in confedance with clipped in feet by far outways the worry about not unclipping fast enough.

go ride now with flats and you will realise how dangerous it is for a foot that slips of the pedal. Please remember to wear your shin guards with the flats.

[RodTi]

You could consider ordering Shimano multi-release pedals off CRC. They are easier to unclip, and are often used by the dirt-jump brigade, which requires an easier opt-out, more often than not mid-air...

 

They also take some getting used to, since it's almost to easy to unclip initially - but really does make dabbing on the ST very simple...

 

Will pop up more details later when I get in front of the pc...

[Palaeodom]

I found that i just didn't get the quick reaction pace out of the flats. I rode them for a while and if i needed a quick boost to get up a steep, bumpy rise my feet would often bounce off and the stomping down just didn't get me up well enough. Having been riding clipped in for a while now i can really push and pull my way up most stuff. Once the unclipping becomes instinctive you'll be able to take advantage of both clipped and unclipped.

[ChUkKy]

There are times when I love being clipped in like on the descents and for pedalling efficiency but then the other times in the technical stuff I get a bit nervous with all that hard stuff thats rather unfriendly towards human flesh.

Ive got Candy SL pedals, right leg unclips easily in "most" situations but left leg on the other hand only unclips easily when Im already on the floor

 

My left leg isnt as smart as the right... dunno why. Needless to say which side of my body has more wear and tear

[Edwin Watson]

Correct me if i'm wrong here but the Mallets aren't a one side no-clipless and other side clipless system - they allow you to use different shoes for different trails, if your shoes have cleats both sides will clip in. Again, I stand to be corrected on this but I don't think you even get a system like that - surely it would make the side you need really difficult?!?

I think You right,if you put your cleat in the place it clips into you will most certinly clip in with the mallets...You do get one sided Clipless pedals,hereare Shimano M324 Clipless SPD/Flat Pedals,I think its a clever idea but if the one side is heavier than the other it could be a bit difficult to get it to the side you want due to that rocking kind of affect.

 

I rode flats for a long time before switching to clipless. It did take a while to get used to but now I would be hard pressed to go back to flats for my trail riding.

 

That said, I have flats on my DH bike...

 

How is your Trance?

The trance is great,have not had any problems so far Very happy with it in fact.

 

You could consider ordering Shimano multi-release pedals off CRC. They are easier to unclip, and are often used by the dirt-jump brigade.

 

Will pop up more details later when I get in front of the pc...

Thanks RodTi for the info,if you could drop a little more info I would highly appreciate it I did a bit of searching and I have only found stuff on cleats

 

I think I will keep at them and see how it goes. Hopefully I will start trusting them more, admittedly compared to the first time I rode with clipless I have improved alot. I have been wanting to buy some Eggbeaters,should I still do that or do you guys recommend me sticking with the SPD's?

 

Thanks for all the replies,I am always grateful for them.

[cat-i]

i ride with flat one side and clip-in on other side, and love it. i can clip in on fast sections where there's a chance of little bumpies, and i can ride on the flat side on really technical climbs, or if something is above my ability ... which then often proves not to be, because i could try it. for me, it's the best of both worlds.

[Edwin Watson]

i ride with flat one side and clip-in on other side, and love it. i can clip in on fast sections where there's a chance of little bumpies, and i can ride on the flat side on really technical climbs, or if something is above my ability ... which then often proves not to be, because i could try it. for me, it's the best of both worlds.

That sounds like something I would like,what pedals are you using?

[Burts]

Clips is the way to go! If you fall over, you fall. In my opinion... That put some extra fun into MTB. If you have a partner that rides with you, it is a lot of fun to see him go down in a simple stupid manner. Last Sunday afternoon was my turn because of some lekker thick sand.

 

I had a couple of falls already and I am not an experienced Mountain Biker. Ive only started a few months back. None of the falls was so bad that I could not laugh about it. You obviously will get a couple of scratches and bruises. In my opinion... It is cool and part of the adventure.

 

So... Stop worrying about falling down. I have done the same. When you worry, you always look and steer (not knowing that you do) in the direction of the fall. Instead. Get your focus on your goal; for example the hill that you are going to climb or the water hazzerd that you have to go through. And before you know it, you have mastered the obstacle.

 

Good luck!! Happy riding!!

[RodTi]

 

Thanks RodTi for the info,if you could drop a little more info I would highly appreciate it I did a bit of searching and I have only found stuff on cleats

 

 

Apologies - that's what I meant to say... Multi-release cleats off CRC, here be the link

 

You're still happily connected to the bike, most importantly on the uphills and when you're bombing downhill - but it remains much easier to unclip.

 

Regarding Egg-beaters - nothing wrong with them, I had a pair myself for a good couple of years. You only have two settings though, depending on which way around you install your cleats on your shoes - which regulates the 'float-range' permissible before unclipping...

 

If you get used to cleats - then it comes down to personal preferences. However, keep in mind that unlike with SPD's, there are no tensioners to adjust on egg-beaters - so you cannot play around with loosening or tightening the release action. This being said, as indicated - once you adjust to riding with cleats, this becomes less of an issue!

 

As many have suggested here - give it some time to get used to them, to the point where it becomes second nature to unclip, and then make your decision. Happy riding!

[swoosh1973]

YAWN

 

Go with what feels right for you. Every single pro that races marathon rides is clipped in. Roadies clip in. But heck I rode the first 5 years with clips.

 

I am back on flats the last 3 years(for trail riding mtb only). I have lots and lots more fun, push the envelope and take and tech things that only downhillers will try.

 

Dont bother yourself with what others say. Unless your planning on becoming realy good use your flats to gain confidence. Note that if your use to clips you will get hammered veryhard once or twice on the shins when you get on flats again..you will learn fast.

 

Now as for any other muppets telling you your feet are going to come loose or slip of on the bumpy fast downhills. BULLL.... in the begining yes, howevr you learn quickly and with tackies you start becoming more like one with the bike,you can make micro adjustments, never get "hot foot" you skid in to corners take jumps, fly like a star, stick to the bike because you also use the sadle between your legs to control the bike.pull the front brake hard and flip the back in side ways and much more. As a newbie you will not be brave enough to do this from the start with clips

 

Go have fun man and stop worrying what mr "jones" has to say and stop following like a skaaap. Use your knog.

Road riding...clips only

Endurance marathon mtb...clips only

Downhill...platform or flats

Trick and tech trails......flats only

 

 

Finnaly for teh trails you will fall, if your cliped in and going fast and in the situation where you miss time unclping your chance for a naasty injury is drasticaly increased. If your on flats you can control your fall. After every non seriouse fall you learn quick and no what not to do.