Platform/clipless combo pedals?

those pedals are horrible, the clip side is heavier so the pedal rotates around and you can never clip in. plus the platform side isn't the best platform. i really don't believe they will help with your confidence, only make you frustrated.

i would recommend practising a lot with clipless and using flats only on the days when you are riding mostly technical/downhill terrain. it won't take long to learn how to do everything from drops to skinnies on clipless pedals, trust me it's scarier in your head than on the trail.

These work great, easy to get in and out of. Hold you foot on good when clipped in, and good grip when not clipped in. They are out of your price range though:

http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=109569

I agree with ferday. I got them to learn how to ride clipless and got rid of them in less than a month. They were worthless riding trails.

The atomlab pedals look good. I now ride Candy C's and the platform is big enough to get me around town.

time z control
shed mud , clip in & out easy, easy on the knees, pretty much bullet proof.
I dont know what the ferdayis talking about, the z control have clips on both sides so you can allways clip in. BTW get Good shoes with a stiff sole, it will make getting in and out easier:thumbsup:

An update

I ended up going with Shimano 520's that I got for a really good deal (came with Answer shoes for less that $60). I haven't had any problems yet, been able to clip out when ever I have to stop short, I'm very glad that I went with straight-up clipless instead of a platform combo. The hardest part for me is not clipping out but clipping in when re-starting on the trail, I'm still getting used to the position I need to be in to clip in. But the added power going up hill is great, plus I seem to have more confidence going over logs and such obstacles.

Anyway I'd recommend the 520's to anyone starting out w/ clipless (although really they should be called "clip-in") pedals, they're simple to use and adjust and the price makes them a bargain.

I'm still kind of newb for technical riding. I switched to clipless a few weeks ago and like it for most things. But I had an incident about a week ago where I was heading downhill too fast on a rocky, medium steep single track. I was heading toward a big root in the middle of the track and was on the wrong side of it. I decided that I could move over with the help of some leg action. Forgot that I was clipped in an my foot didn't come off the pedal when I needed it to. Bike hit the root and went over, I went over the bars, and my shoe came off my foot and stayed clipped to the pedal.

This was a total bonehead move on my part. I'd ridden this part of the trail once already and was going too fast too soon. But I may switch back to platforms for more technical rides.

I use clipless but have the tension dialled right down for quick clip in and release after nearly sending myself and my bike of a pedestrian bridge on a trail and ended up cracking my helmet and pending the rear derailler hanger beyond repair cos the clips where to tight. as said the LBS showed me how to dial them up or down and now I am more confident in my riding.

AusMTB Orienteer said:

I use clipless but have the tension dialled right down for quick clip in and release after nearly sending myself and my bike of a pedestrian bridge on a trail and ended up cracking my helmet and pending the rear derailler hanger beyond repair cos the clips where to tight. as said the LBS showed me how to dial them up or down and now I am more confident in my riding.

Click to expand...

Good point. My tension is set very low, but it you still need to twist out, just a little. I literally pulled straight up, and in the fraction of a second it took to realize my foot didn't come off the pedal, I was screwed.

I still like clipless, but for a spaz, which I apparently am, it can cause a problem. Then again, I'll bet it's a long time before I make that mistake again. The scabs on my elbows make for a good lesson.

I am considering the Shimano PD-M545 or PD-M324 as well. It seems these days I do more riding on pavement with my kids than on the cc trails. Thinking the M324s will make for a better general purpose platforms when not wearing cleats. Anyone use the 324s??

Picked up the PD-M324s recently, like them so far for an intro to clipless.

One drawback to the PD-M324's is the cleats - they shipped with the 'M'ulti-release cleats.