clipless spd's since 1992 and haven't looked back.... can't ride any other way
Clip or Clipless? What's your preference
I ride as much XC/All Mountain as I can find in west phoenix. Decent riding, hard packed earth and a cactus at every 90º turn.
I shed my clips about 9 months ago and never looked back. Do I slip out? Sure...But the amount of accidents I have escaped because my feet have *not* been locked in are beyond counting. There have been time where I was about to go end over end and the only thing that saved me was my ability to put my feet down...quickly! I am able to ride much more aggressively, because that fear of being stuck to the bike should something happen, is gone.
I know I lose climbing power, but I just have to ride harder and get in better shape and I am getting stronger.
I was just curious how you guys ride...Not that I am going to change, I was just curious. Everyone I ride with is clipped and I am regularly given a hard time for it. But whatever...right?
Look forward to hearing what you guys have to say! If you're ever in the Phx/Estrella area hit me up for a ride. :thumbsup:
I shed my clips about 9 months ago and never looked back. Do I slip out? Sure...But the amount of accidents I have escaped because my feet have *not* been locked in are beyond counting. There have been time where I was about to go end over end and the only thing that saved me was my ability to put my feet down...quickly! I am able to ride much more aggressively, because that fear of being stuck to the bike should something happen, is gone.
I know I lose climbing power, but I just have to ride harder and get in better shape and I am getting stronger.
I was just curious how you guys ride...Not that I am going to change, I was just curious. Everyone I ride with is clipped and I am regularly given a hard time for it. But whatever...right?
Look forward to hearing what you guys have to say! If you're ever in the Phx/Estrella area hit me up for a ride. :thumbsup:
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ooooh did I sound like a n00b? I think so...what I meant was....Do you like being attached to your pedals (clipped), or do you like riding free (a la FR/DH)? I apologize if by clipless y'all thought I meant spd style.
eek.
eek.
since this debate has never been done before, I ride barefoot.
I just use a 4" lag-bolt through my foot and into the pedal.
I just use a 4" lag-bolt through my foot and into the pedal.
Clipless refers to the lack of toe clips which were popular prior to spd style "clipped in" pedals, so clipless is spd style. Your thread should read clipless vs flats
Me, I've been riding spd's since they came out in the early 90's, I tried flats on my DH bike last year and hated them(yes I have the right shoes and pedals), I'm putting my caged spuds back on the bike, of course spd's on my other bikes.
Me, I've been riding spd's since they came out in the early 90's, I tried flats on my DH bike last year and hated them(yes I have the right shoes and pedals), I'm putting my caged spuds back on the bike, of course spd's on my other bikes.
Actually clipless pedals are those that you click into via a cleat on your shoe that fits into a particular pedal. Toeclips and straps are another way of securing your foot to a pedal (or Power Grips). Platforms or flats are just plain ol' pedals....mooreplusone said:ooooh did I sound like a n00b? I think so...what I meant was....Do you like being attached to your pedals (clipped), or do you like riding free (a la FR/DH)? I apologize if by clipless y'all thought I meant spd style.
eek.
Many FR/DH guys use clipless as well as flats/platforms.
I hear you :thumbsup: And agree with your assessment of getting stronger. I use Tioga Mx Pro Pedals with 5.10 Camp 4 shoes. I don't slip at all. No comparison in comfort.mooreplusone said:I ride as much XC/All Mountain as I can find in west phoenix. Decent riding, hard packed earth and a cactus at every 90º turn.
I shed my clips about 9 months ago and never looked back. Do I slip out? Sure...But the amount of accidents I have escaped because my feet have *not* been locked in are beyond counting. There have been time where I was about to go end over end and the only thing that saved me was my ability to put my feet down...quickly! I am able to ride much more aggressively, because that fear of being stuck to the bike should something happen, is gone.
I know I lose climbing power, but I just have to ride harder and get in better shape and I am getting stronger.
I was just curious how you guys ride...Not that I am going to change, I was just curious. Everyone I ride with is clipped and I am regularly given a hard time for it. But whatever...right?
Look forward to hearing what you guys have to say! If you're ever in the Phx/Estrella area hit me up for a ride. :thumbsup:
Dang! Those ARE pedals. I hope you don't slip; I would hate to take one of those to the shin....ridetheridge said:I hear you :thumbsup: And agree with your assessment of getting stronger. I use Tioga Mx Pro Pedals with 5.10 Camp 4 shoes. I don't slip at all. No comparison in comfort.
Thanks for the feedback.
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Again? This is like the 8 billionth time this thread has been posted this week. I'd vote but my option isn't available. It depends on the style and length of ride for me.
did you vote 'barefoot' too?Clutchman83 said:Again? This is like the 8 billionth time this thread has been posted this week. I'd vote but my option isn't available. It depends on the style and length of ride for me.
Been using the Crank Bros Mallets for 2 years now - best of both worlds.
I don't hack up my shins on the pedals anymore on rocky techincal sections, but if I unclip during a rough climb I can jump right back on the pedal without worrying about being clipped right away.
Easy in, easy out, and very durable (so far). And I have been able to get out of them quickly and haven't really had any crash issues due to not unclipping fast enough. Actually crashed more with flats because my foot would bounce off the pedal.
I don't hack up my shins on the pedals anymore on rocky techincal sections, but if I unclip during a rough climb I can jump right back on the pedal without worrying about being clipped right away.
Easy in, easy out, and very durable (so far). And I have been able to get out of them quickly and haven't really had any crash issues due to not unclipping fast enough. Actually crashed more with flats because my foot would bounce off the pedal.
I definitely have more experience riding with clipless, but about a month ago I finally decided to invest in a decent pair of platforms. I still feel kinda clumsy in them but for rides with a lot of log rides/skinnies they're obviously way more practical.
I swap'em out depending on the style of riding I'm doing.
I swap'em out depending on the style of riding I'm doing.
i like clipless because i like to laugh at my friends in theirs when they endo, fall over, loop out, etc. clipped in. i rock the platforms and knucklebones.
that is hardcore.highdelll said:I just use a 4" lag-bolt through my foot and into the pedal.
and freaggin' hilarious.
jesus, that sounds hardcore. do you find that the interface gets sloppy after a few drops?:eekster:highdelll said:since this debate has never been done before, I ride barefoot.
I just use a 4" lag-bolt through my foot and into the pedal.
I go back and forth for racing and everyday riding on clips on my AM bike. Sometimes I'll use flat pedals for racing.
As for my DH bike: flats all the way.
Love my Crank Brothers Mallets and my Crank Brothers Candies.
As for my DH bike: flats all the way.
Love my Crank Brothers Mallets and my Crank Brothers Candies.
I ride SPD on my road/cross bike and on my beater and love them. However, I still ride platforms on my MTB. I have been reluctant to try them on my MTB not because I don't think I'll be able to unclip, but because I am afraid I will unclip when I don't want to. First, I kinda twist my foot on the platform to get the back tire of the bike to scoot around. It is similar to the motion used to unclip. Second, sometimes on a climb I need to quickly dab and immediately start pedaling again. With clipless, there is no way I could back into the pedal quite as fast, which means I'd be walking the rest of the hill.
I'll give them a shot sometime this month if it ever quits raining, but not sure how it will go. Would be nice in the choppy stuff though.
I'll give them a shot sometime this month if it ever quits raining, but not sure how it will go. Would be nice in the choppy stuff though.
Oh god, ouch ouch ouch!53119 said:do you find that the interface gets sloppy after a few drops?:eekster:
a big fender washer keeps the foot from splitting completely open53119 said:jesus, that sounds hardcore. do you find that the interface gets sloppy after a few drops?:eekster:
Time ATAC
I swear by time atac pedals. You don't need to adjust or tune them, simply put them on and you never have to worry about them. No matter how muddy the conditions are they always work.
I swear by time atac pedals. You don't need to adjust or tune them, simply put them on and you never have to worry about them. No matter how muddy the conditions are they always work.
I use these too and love them. After a year of riding I have never ripped a shin on one. They grip your shoes almost as well as clipless. Expensive buggers, tho.mooreplusone said:Dang! Those ARE pedals. I hope you don't slip; I would hate to take one of those to the shin....
Thanks for the feedback.
I decided a couple weeks ago to give clipless a try again.
90% of the time no difference
5% of the time flats are better (very technical riding)
5% of the time Clipless are better (climbing & bunnyhops)
I'm putting the flats back on.
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