[New2Mountain6]

Well, I've become quite good at riding the semi-techinical single track at my local trails using my toe-clips, which just don't cut it anymore...There are several steep climbs and platfroms just don't do it. If you pull them to tight, you can't get out and mostly their to lose, which deems them useless..I feel myself loosing power and it's time to step to the next leval..

I have expirence with clipless on my Bianchi roadie (speedplay 0's), which I've never had a problem with except occousinaly forgetting to clip out at stop signs when I began 3 years ago...Oops...

My Epic originally came with Shimano 515 SPD's which are a fairly popular design...Would it be a bad idea to use these pedals or should I opt to upgrade to something like crank bros egg beater or candy? I see the reviews arn't the best but SPD's have been around for a long time...But the review, say there are many injuries...Is this just b/c most people who ride them don't anticipate dificulty at first?

I don't want to let a cheap set of pedals ruin my MTB clipless change, bike or body...But if they are suitable for my riding style I don't want to waste the money to upgrade..

I realize the switch may be different at first but I'm will to give it a try..I don't expect to master clipless overnight but I feel I know the basics...

Would it be wise to get something better or stick with my new spd's?

Opinions, input please...

Thanks...

 

[New2Mountain6]

I forgot to add I also have another brand new cheap set of welgo wpd 800/801...I doubt they would be any better than the shimanos... They came on the roade, imagine spd mountains on a roadie?ha

Just thought I should add...

 

[forkboy]

My Epic originally came with Shimano 515 SPD's which are a fairly popular design...Would it be a bad idea to use these pedals or should I opt to upgrade to something like crank bros egg beater or candy?

Thanks...

Are egg beaters an upgrade? I've got a pair that've been sitting in a box for 3 years. I used 'em for 4 months and dumped them.

I like SPD's. Like you say, theyve been around a long time, and even their lower end units work well.

-->> edit - I'd avoid the Wellgo's. Wellgo's are the best of the off-brands, but only because they are the closest to duplicating Shimano's.

Lots of people I know ride their roadies with MTB pedals. Saves dropping $200 on a second pair of shoes.

 

[AsianPersuasion]

Just swapped out to Crank Bros. Platforms to Mallets on my Heckler, and Ultegra SPDs to Eggbeater S on my 5200 roadie. Only SPD left is on my hardtail and that's only cuz I'm still deciding between more Eggs or Candies. Never had a prob with SPDs but they don't have anything like the Mallets(large platform). Plus I don't want too many bike shoes. I do love the minimalist look of the Eggs even though it's not that much of a weight saving.

 

[forkboy]

Never had a prob with SPDs but they don't have anything like the Mallets(large platform). Plus I don't want too many bike shoes. .

????

<img src=https://bike.shimano.com/media/images/cycling/products/actionsports/PD/PD-M647_127x88_v2_m56577569830553733.jpg>
<img src=https://bike.shimano.com/media/images/cycling/products/actionsports/PD/PD-M545_127x88_v2_m56577569830553731.jpg>
<img src=https://bike.shimano.com/media/images/cycling/products/actionsports/PD/PD-M424_127x88_v2_m56577569830553725.jpg>

 

[AsianPersuasion]

????

<img src=https://bike.shimano.com/media/images/cycling/products/actionsports/PD/PD-M647_127x88_v2_m56577569830553733.jpg>

Had these on my NRS1 and never really liked the gripping ability of it. My brother still runs these on his bike. Loved it for the occassional sneaker pedaling around town but when trails got slick, and I wanna run unclipped for whatever reason...ouch...

 

[forkboy]

Had these on my NRS1 and never really liked the gripping ability of it. My brother still runs these on his bike. Loved it for the occassional sneaker pedaling around town but when trails got slick, and I wanna run unclipped for whatever reason...ouch...

I've got one set - They are OK. I'm not a fan of platforms in general, but the candy / mallets don't seem to be much superior as far as unclipped riding traction goes.

There really is no good hybrid. You either get clipless or platforms. Everything else is a compromise that is really not good at being either one, and marginal as a hybrid.

 

[New2Mountain6]

Alright, I'm going to pick up some mtn. shoes this weekend and give it a try..

Would it be a bad idea to leave those platform decks on 1 side so if it gets rough I can stand on that..
Their just platform type insterts w/ reflectors on 1 side on the pedal...They come off when you loosen the realease tension and pry w/ a screw driver..

Seems like a good idea to me?

 

[shiggy]

Alright, I'm going to pick up some mtn. shoes this weekend and give it a try..

Would it be a bad idea to leave those platform decks on 1 side so if it gets rough I can stand on that..
Their just platform type insterts w/ reflectors on 1 side on the pedal...They come off when you loosen the realease tension and pry w/ a screw driver..

Seems like a good idea to me?

Bad idea. The plastic platforms are just a test ride and maybe trip to the corner store item.

BTW You should be able to twist them off by hand.

 

[forkboy]

Alright, I'm going to pick up some mtn. shoes this weekend and give it a try..

Would it be a bad idea to leave those platform decks on 1 side so if it gets rough I can stand on that..
Their just platform type insterts w/ reflectors on 1 side on the pedal...They come off when you loosen the realease tension and pry w/ a screw driver..

Seems like a good idea to me?

Nope - dump 'em. They'll do more harm than good. It's a good idea in theory, but in reality it takes away 50% of your pedals usefulness.

You'll pick up the basics pretty quickly. Takes a while until it is second nature, but

 

[AsianPersuasion]

It'll be like riding a trail on cheap plastic pedals. You're just asking for trouble...and pain.

 

[New2Mountain6]

Alright, I'll take them off when I put the pedals on...

Any suggestions for using clipless in grarly sections at first..Obvisously I'll be starting off easy. But, would leaving right foot unclipped on steep rooted decents a bad idea? Or just use concentration/balence and stay in?

I tend to favor my right for dabbing...

 

[shiggy]

Alright, I'll take them off when I put the pedals on...

Any suggestions for using clipless in grarly sections at first..Obvisously I'll be starting off easy. But, would leaving right foot unclipped on steep rooted decents a bad idea? Or just use concentration/balence and stay in?

I tend to favor my right for dabbing...

Stay clipped in. You are likely to slip off the pedal at a bad time if you are not .

 

[forkboy]

Stay clipped in.

And don't fall. Falling hurts.

 

[shiggy]

I've got one set - They are OK. I'm not a fan of platforms in general, but the candy / mallets don't seem to be much superior as far as unclipped riding traction goes.

There really is no good hybrid. You either get clipless or platforms. Everything else is a compromise that is really not good at being either one, and marginal as a hybrid.

The Mallet's platform works pretty well for those few times I can not clip in quickly.

IMO the Candy's "platform" is useless.

Most of the time I ride Eggbeaters and rarely notice the lack of a platform body. Easy in. Easy out. The Mallets are slightly tougher for both.

 

[shiggy]

And don't fall. Falling hurts.

That is how I avoid crashing.
Don't fall. No crash!

 

[pixelninja]

Any suggestions for using clipless in grarly sections at first..Obvisously I'll be starting off easy. But, would leaving right foot unclipped on steep rooted decents a bad idea? Or just use concentration/balence and stay in?

No. Stay clipped in. Riding with one foot unclipped is a recipe for disaster. Imagine bouncing down a gnarly section and your foot slips off the pedal. You're gonna go down and it won't be pretty. If you stay clipped in, having your feet slip off the pedals is one less thing you have to worry about.

The best advice is to practice the heel-twist motion of getting out of the clipless over and over and over and over and over, until it becomes natural. It won't take too long, but some people pick it up faster than others.

 

[bgpoole]

I have shimano 959's and love them, easy in and out. Whatever you get, when you practice unclipping, make sure you practice an equal amount with both feet in all pedal positions because you can count on sooner or later having to get your weaker foot out quickly whan it is anywhere but top or bottom of your pedal stroke. After a few rides you'll wonder how you ever rode without them.
Good luck

 

[peanut09]

I got the Speedplay frogs and have been out on them two times with no real clip in experience and I adjusted to them real fast. They are easy in and out. They are also real small so they don't get in the way on rocky terrain. The thing I like is they are free floating and are great for you knees in the long run.