Clipless Pedals Yea or Nea - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

BigHG · 11-15-2002, 04:04 PM

After todays ride I am questioning whether or not cliplesss is the way to go. I fell over six times today! I was riding in a lot of deep sand and could not get my feet out of the pedals. Now I am a balanced challenged noob, but this is ridiculous. I can appreciate the advantage of spinning circles as opposed to just pushing down but my hip is not so sure.

Is this a skill that you were able to acquire or did you just say to hell with it?

DemoMike · 11-15-2002, 04:12 PM

Stick with it. Everyone falls for awhile at the begining.

RHINO · 11-15-2002, 04:22 PM

yeah if you like the idea stick with it, i however decided my style of riding did not agree with clipless. i dont do much spinning, and i like jumping and real technical riding, so,,,,

Monte Busselman · 11-16-2002, 09:02 PM

For sure stay clipless, once you get used to it you can pick the bike up and put it were you want on the move.

Monte

offroadr35 · 11-17-2002, 09:26 AM

stay with it, and do yourself a favor and practice your balance. That will improve your riding more than anything else.

-Steve

MellowYellow · 11-17-2002, 05:12 PM

Stay with it. I fell a bunch my first real ride with clipless.

Loosen them up as much as you can.

I don't feel comfortable until I'm clipped in.

BigHG · 11-17-2002, 06:45 PM

My last ride was a little better. I only did the slow motion fall over, once!

I did crash into a chainlink fence on a short technical down hill running next to the trail.

I prolly could have rode it out but I panicked when I missed a dab with my foot because it didn't come out of the pedal. I chose the non cactus infested line. The fork bottomed on the big rock but prolly kept my ass from sailing over my head. My shoulder took the hit as I contacted the fence at an angle. The diamond shaped bruises look kinda weird.

My balance is improving. I can tell just riding the white line on the road. Especially at slow speeds. Where last week I would zig zag all over, now I can almost stay within th edges of the line.

I will stick with it. I just find it unnerving to not hang the leg out for balance help sometimes.

For those that do use these pedals: Is it just second nature when you ride to release for a foot dab? You do it without thinking? Or do you still go down occasionally because of it?

CTA586 · 11-17-2002, 07:00 PM

My first riding w/ clipless was downhilling black @ Keystone. Wouldn't do it again, but you learn quick.

Quote:

For those that do use these pedals: Is it just second nature when you ride to release for a foot dab? You do it without thinking? Or do you still go down occasionally because of it?

It becomes second nature, quickly. Everybody goes down once in awhile.

flbikerman · 11-18-2002, 03:24 AM

I just fell over yesterday after a couple of years. I had to laugh at myself. Like everyone has said hang in there. After a while it's second nature.
I didn't see anyone mention to loosen the tension screws.

DozerDan · 11-18-2002, 06:23 AM

stick with it, you get much better on the bike. The first dozen times or so i rode with them it was awkward, now i cant ride w/o them. you will find you can push the bike alot farther and learn the limits of how far you can push it too.

I love being able to be 1 with the bike.

the only part i hate is when i ride my bike just around (like to class) the pedals are real small and roll,, that took alot of getting used to.

I have a sweet scar on the back of my leg from when i was learning to ride with them... like i said you learn fast

MellowYellow · 11-18-2002, 09:52 AM

Good point!
Clipless pedals + tennis shoes =

Don't try to do too much with out the shoes on!
I did, then I spent the rest of the 4th of July on Vicadin w/ a broken collarbone and a separated solder.

They do make the kind with a platform, but I'm assuming you don't have those.

My scar is from my last ride with toe clips. The pedal made a big mess out of my shins. I don't miss them at all.

offroadr35 · 11-18-2002, 10:05 AM

get some of the Shimano pedals with the cage around them. I think the ones i have are 636s (?). When i go to class and just around town and stuff i can wear tennis shoes no problem because they're basically just like flats. They also are much better to learn on because you have enough pedal to get yourself moving even if youre not clipped in. Really the best thing you can do is master the trackstand. If you can just balance yourself on your bike you won't have to worry too much about getting out.

-Steve

dreamerof1 · 11-18-2002, 01:55 PM

Hang in there. Everyone has to experience the feeling of a trutle stuck on its back. It's a rite of passage. You'll look back on these rides with great fondness one day.

Drew

kris · 11-18-2002, 04:23 PM

I think clips are okay. Definitely for the power gain. You get that whole extra stroke of pulling up with the pedal instead of just pushing down.
It is going to take a while to get used to and once you become familiar with clipping in and out it should be no problem. I know it's kind of hard to tell when you are going to fall, but if you can, clip out as soon as possible. Practice if you need to, it will be a whole lot easier and better if you do.

BigHG · 11-19-2002, 01:16 PM

I have the Shimano pedals with the cage that you can ride in tennis shoes with. Good for the trips around the block with the kids.

I tried unclipping before the bad stuff so I don't have to worry about getting out of them. This is probably even worse though. The hard soles of the shoes slide around on the pedals.
I need to quit being a puss and give in to the dark side. Keep the damn things attached and enjoy those mouthfuls of dirt!

I learned something new today. Use the front disc brake very lightly when going downhill .

BigHG · 11-19-2002, 02:40 PM

I have the Shimano pedals with the cage that you can ride in tennis shoes with. Good for the trips around the block with the kids.

I tried unclipping before the bad stuff so I don't have to worry about getting out of them. This is probably even worse though. The hard soles of the shoes slide around on the pedals.
I need to quit being a puss and give in to the dark side. Keep the damn things attached and enjoy those mouthfuls of dirt!

I learned something new today. Use the front disc brake very lightly when going downhill .

dirtdirt99 · 11-19-2002, 05:41 PM

i use both
when im racing XC or doing long rides i use clipless

when im racing DH or just messing around i put on my flats

i find i just have more fun on my bike when i have my flats on. I take more chances and ride more aggresively.
takes like 2 minutes to change

Sue · 11-21-2002, 09:04 PM

I used to go back an forth when riding with them. Much better to just stick with it and stop thinking about it. I only fell when things were getting scarey because I thought, "uh oh, better clip out...oh no...I can't...ahhhhhhh"

offroadr35 · 11-23-2002, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigHG

I learned something new today. Use the front disc brake very lightly when going downhill .

it's off-topic, but that's completely wrong. You should be using MOSTLY your front brake going downhill. Shift your weight back (get your ass behind the saddle) and that way you won't fly over the handlebars. When going downhill you have very little weight on your rear tire and therefore your rear brakes are nearly worthless.

Tip of the day-
Steve

BigHG · 11-23-2002, 12:37 PM

Steve, you are absolutely right. Believe it or not I did know that before I did it.

But not having much experience with the "hit" that disks have, I instinctively grabbed a handful, didn't expect the wheel to stop turning and launched!

Keep those tips coming!

stinkyXJ · 11-25-2002, 04:45 PM

Go to platforms!!!!!!!!! find a nice stong, light platform pedal (Wellgo B-37's) and never look back!!!!!!!

YellowSub1962 · 11-25-2002, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by offroadr35

When going downhill you have very little weight on your rear tire and therefore your rear brakes are nearly worthless.

it's also better for the trails, as the back tire will just about always lock up.....

Old Army · 12-04-2002, 08:55 AM

Go clipless for xc. But stay away from the sick drops. For that get the platforms.

BTW they make these little plastic inserts for clipless that turns them into a platform. My LBS gives them away. Good for just putting around on but nothing more.

I feel your pain with the disk brakes. I went from a rigid bike with old school cantalever brakes and toe clips to a fs bike with disks and clipless. The disks stop NOW. I don't entirely agree with the front brake only thing, though. I use both so long as I can keep the back from skidding.

Old Army
Newbie, Flatlander

mntbkrguy · 12-04-2002, 04:43 PM

check out Mountain Bike Action magazine, they had a great story in the Jan.? issue I think about going down steep slopes and how to use the front brake for stopping and the rear for control.

As for balance try using a nice long 2X4 or even a 2x6 and practice riding down the whole thing in a parking lot to master going down a narrow straight descent.

a parkinglot near me has a nice long borders that is a few inches tall and about 12' long that my girlfriend mastered to make bridges easier. (I live in flatland we mostly make our obsticles)

11-15-2002, 04:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
BigHG Granite Guru Join Date: Sep 2001 Member # 7168 Location: Phx Posts: 600	Clipless Pedals Yea or Nea After todays ride I am questioning whether or not cliplesss is the way to go. I fell over six times today! I was riding in a lot of deep sand and could not get my feet out of the pedals. Now I am a balanced challenged noob, but this is ridiculous. I can appreciate the advantage of spinning circles as opposed to just pushing down but my hip is not so sure. Is this a skill that you were able to acquire or did you just say to hell with it? __________________ Craig M.

11-15-2002, 04:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
RHINO Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 2029 Location: phoenix az Posts: 1,601	yeah if you like the idea stick with it, i however decided my style of riding did not agree with clipless. i dont do much spinning, and i like jumping and real technical riding, so,,,, __________________ 75 BDJ55 get inline, you'll be fine.

11-16-2002, 09:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Monte Busselman Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7475 Location: Richland Wa. Posts: 393	For sure stay clipless, once you get used to it you can pick the bike up and put it were you want on the move. Monte __________________ Monte Busselman DD '84 4Runner FROR Full floater, DOA Double roller, YJ rears,Ford towers, 9012's, Disconects, Rear disc brakes,/ \, 63" chevy's,33/10.5s, 4.56's and rear elocker. '84 4R EXO 5.29s front elocker rear welded,38" TSLs '96 FZJ80 factory lockers F/R, 33's (wifes)

11-17-2002, 09:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
offroadr35 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8843 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,838	stay with it, and do yourself a favor and practice your balance. That will improve your riding more than anything else. -Steve __________________ "good judgement comes from experience. experience comes from bad judgement"

11-17-2002, 05:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
MellowYellow Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 20 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,076	Stay with it. I fell a bunch my first real ride with clipless. Loosen them up as much as you can. I don't feel comfortable until I'm clipped in. __________________ I've been gone a while, but I'm still hang'n in there!

11-15-2002, 04:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
DemoMike Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 8284 Posts: 1,377	Stick with it. Everyone falls for awhile at the begining.

11-17-2002, 06:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
BigHG Granite Guru Join Date: Sep 2001 Member # 7168 Location: Phx Posts: 600	My last ride was a little better. I only did the slow motion fall over, once! I did crash into a chainlink fence on a short technical down hill running next to the trail. I prolly could have rode it out but I panicked when I missed a dab with my foot because it didn't come out of the pedal. I chose the non cactus infested line. The fork bottomed on the big rock but prolly kept my ass from sailing over my head. My shoulder took the hit as I contacted the fence at an angle. The diamond shaped bruises look kinda weird. My balance is improving. I can tell just riding the white line on the road. Especially at slow speeds. Where last week I would zig zag all over, now I can almost stay within th edges of the line. I will stick with it. I just find it unnerving to not hang the leg out for balance help sometimes. For those that do use these pedals: Is it just second nature when you ride to release for a foot dab? You do it without thinking? Or do you still go down occasionally because of it? __________________ Craig M.

11-18-2002, 03:24 AM	#9 (permalink)
flbikerman Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Member # 12933 Location: Texas Posts: 6	I just fell over yesterday after a couple of years. I had to laugh at myself. Like everyone has said hang in there. After a while it's second nature. I didn't see anyone mention to loosen the tension screws.

11-18-2002, 06:23 AM	#10 (permalink)
DozerDan 'SuperDan' Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9144 Location: NJ Posts: 2,116	stick with it, you get much better on the bike. The first dozen times or so i rode with them it was awkward, now i cant ride w/o them. you will find you can push the bike alot farther and learn the limits of how far you can push it too. I love being able to be 1 with the bike. the only part i hate is when i ride my bike just around (like to class) the pedals are real small and roll,, that took alot of getting used to. I have a sweet scar on the back of my leg from when i was learning to ride with them... like i said you learn fast __________________ Dan Smith 'physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight' Fear is not an option!

11-18-2002, 09:52 AM	#11 (permalink)
MellowYellow Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 20 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,076	Good point! Clipless pedals + tennis shoes = Don't try to do too much with out the shoes on! I did, then I spent the rest of the 4th of July on Vicadin w/ a broken collarbone and a separated solder. They do make the kind with a platform, but I'm assuming you don't have those. My scar is from my last ride with toe clips. The pedal made a big mess out of my shins. I don't miss them at all. __________________ I've been gone a while, but I'm still hang'n in there! Last edited by MellowYellow; 11-18-2002 at 09:54 AM.

11-18-2002, 10:05 AM	#12 (permalink)
offroadr35 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8843 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,838	get some of the Shimano pedals with the cage around them. I think the ones i have are 636s (?). When i go to class and just around town and stuff i can wear tennis shoes no problem because they're basically just like flats. They also are much better to learn on because you have enough pedal to get yourself moving even if youre not clipped in. Really the best thing you can do is master the trackstand. If you can just balance yourself on your bike you won't have to worry too much about getting out. -Steve __________________ "good judgement comes from experience. experience comes from bad judgement"

11-18-2002, 01:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
dreamerof1 Granite Guru Join Date: Jun 2002 Member # 12329 Location: Saratoga, CA Posts: 895	Hang in there. Everyone has to experience the feeling of a trutle stuck on its back. It's a rite of passage. You'll look back on these rides with great fondness one day. Drew

11-18-2002, 04:23 PM	#14 (permalink)
kris Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14391 Location: rockin ca Posts: 95	I think clips are okay. Definitely for the power gain. You get that whole extra stroke of pulling up with the pedal instead of just pushing down. It is going to take a while to get used to and once you become familiar with clipping in and out it should be no problem. I know it's kind of hard to tell when you are going to fall, but if you can, clip out as soon as possible. Practice if you need to, it will be a whole lot easier and better if you do. __________________ yea... sure...

11-19-2002, 01:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
BigHG Granite Guru Join Date: Sep 2001 Member # 7168 Location: Phx Posts: 600	I have the Shimano pedals with the cage that you can ride in tennis shoes with. Good for the trips around the block with the kids. I tried unclipping before the bad stuff so I don't have to worry about getting out of them. This is probably even worse though. The hard soles of the shoes slide around on the pedals. I need to quit being a puss and give in to the dark side. Keep the damn things attached and enjoy those mouthfuls of dirt! I learned something new today. Use the front disc brake very lightly when going downhill . __________________ Craig M.

11-19-2002, 02:40 PM	#16 (permalink)
BigHG Granite Guru Join Date: Sep 2001 Member # 7168 Location: Phx Posts: 600	I have the Shimano pedals with the cage that you can ride in tennis shoes with. Good for the trips around the block with the kids. I tried unclipping before the bad stuff so I don't have to worry about getting out of them. This is probably even worse though. The hard soles of the shoes slide around on the pedals. I need to quit being a puss and give in to the dark side. Keep the damn things attached and enjoy those mouthfuls of dirt! I learned something new today. Use the front disc brake very lightly when going downhill . __________________ Craig M.

11-19-2002, 05:41 PM	#17 (permalink)
dirtdirt99 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 7904 Location: San Luis Obispo Posts: 258	i use both when im racing XC or doing long rides i use clipless when im racing DH or just messing around i put on my flats i find i just have more fun on my bike when i have my flats on. I take more chances and ride more aggresively. takes like 2 minutes to change __________________ 6 time straight WCCC mountain bike champs - Cal Poly SLO wheelmen [url="http://www.calpoly.edu/~wmenclub"]http://www.calpoly.edu/~wmenclub[/url] Tread Lightly

11-21-2002, 09:04 PM	#18 (permalink)
Sue Granite Guru Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 13743 Location: Houston Posts: 664	I used to go back an forth when riding with them. Much better to just stick with it and stop thinking about it. I only fell when things were getting scarey because I thought, "uh oh, better clip out...oh no...I can't...ahhhhhhh" __________________ AKA NI733HM Chickie rockota = You're right, Sue... 100% correct.

11-23-2002, 12:37 PM	#20 (permalink)
BigHG Granite Guru Join Date: Sep 2001 Member # 7168 Location: Phx Posts: 600	Steve, you are absolutely right. Believe it or not I did know that before I did it. But not having much experience with the "hit" that disks have, I instinctively grabbed a handful, didn't expect the wheel to stop turning and launched! Keep those tips coming! __________________ Craig M.

11-25-2002, 04:45 PM	#21 (permalink)
stinkyXJ Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Member # 13405 Location: washington Posts: 32	Go to platforms!!!!!!!!! find a nice stong, light platform pedal (Wellgo B-37's) and never look back!!!!!!!

12-04-2002, 08:55 AM	#23 (permalink)
Old Army Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Member # 14841 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 117	Go clipless for xc. But stay away from the sick drops. For that get the platforms. BTW they make these little plastic inserts for clipless that turns them into a platform. My LBS gives them away. Good for just putting around on but nothing more. I feel your pain with the disk brakes. I went from a rigid bike with old school cantalever brakes and toe clips to a fs bike with disks and clipless. The disks stop NOW. I don't entirely agree with the front brake only thing, though. I use both so long as I can keep the back from skidding. Old Army Newbie, Flatlander Last edited by Old Army; 12-04-2002 at 08:59 AM.

12-04-2002, 04:43 PM	#24 (permalink)
mntbkrguy Wheeler Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14452 Location: Alexandria,VA Posts: 147	check out Mountain Bike Action magazine, they had a great story in the Jan.? issue I think about going down steep slopes and how to use the front brake for stopping and the rear for control. As for balance try using a nice long 2X4 or even a 2x6 and practice riding down the whole thing in a parking lot to master going down a narrow straight descent. a parkinglot near me has a nice long borders that is a few inches tall and about 12' long that my girlfriend mastered to make bridges easier. (I live in flatland we mostly make our obsticles)

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