Clipless peds...

[scotto370]

I know this is and old debate but,I,am an old BMX rider from the late 70s and all i know are platform pedals.Now,i will be racing in the meltdown sport class with my new Trek EX-8 and i have only been to see-wee-kee twice this year so far other than that i,ve been doing the bike path thing about 35 miles a week so i think i,am doing ok there until Palos dries good enough to get out there on a regular bases.OBTW I DO RESPECT THE TRAILS.Getting back to the pedals situation.Being that the race is just around the corner should i invest in a clipless setup or stick with my platforms and experement with clipless at a later date.And i,am still working on my bike set up so i,am sort of figering by the time i get the bike right it will be to late to mess with a clipless setup.This might sound a little goofie but all the little things matter.(One more thing.I got into MTN biking to get back in shape and fell in love with the sport.I just want to thank everyone that takes the time to go out and take care of the trails)

[r0ckh0und]

Pretty much everyone who rides clipless has been in your shoes (no pun intended). I rode flats for 5 years before deciding it was time. Try them out whenever your ready.........but not right before the race or on race day. Practice starting and stopping on grass because you will fall, everyone does/has. Learn to set the tension on the pedals so your feet will fall out easier when learning. I started using them on road rides and as I became more comfortable used them off road.

[Principal (Snake) Skinner]

In a race, you might find yourself bunched up in a pack waiting to turn into singletrack or avoiding someone who slid out. Not being fully comfortable with clipless won't serve you well when you're looking to avoid being the obstacle yourself. Practice before the race if you want but I'd stick with platforms for the race this time around.

[baudler]

I got a pair of Shimanno clipless you can have.  Get used to them now, see if you like them.  Price is $free.00  I can drop them in your mailbox if you want them.

[superawesome]

That race is a month away so you have plenty of time to ride clipless if you want.

I have very little talent when it comes to riding bikes and it took me about two rides to be totally comfortable with clipless. I think people fall over because they panic and forget what to do, then just fall over. If you don't have that panic reflex, then you'll take to clipless pedals in one or two rides.

I was also a lot younger when I learned to ride clipless pedals, so maybe if I tried to learn now I'd be one of those people falling over all the time..lol.

[Syborg tt]

I am going to try to put my 2 cent's in here.(I can't wait to get killed on this statement)

No, I wouldn't recommend you trying to learn how to use clipless pedals before a race. In fact they give little or no benefit.

supporting facts. ( I will also try to get the road bike that agree's )

http://www.bikejames.com/q-a/flats-vs-clipless-pedals/

http://www.bikejames.com/strength/flats-vs-clipless-please-prove-me-wrong-why-i-wont-let-it-go/

plenty more interesting pod cast at www.bikejames.com

My suggestion would be to buy a really good pair of flat pedals & a pair of 510 sticky shoe's
my favorites are:
Xpedo Face Off Pedals XMX

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/22282-285_FIVFR0-1-Clothing-133-Shoes/Mountain/Five-Ten-Freerider-Shoes.htm

BTW I've switched back to flats after years of riding clipless and it hasn't slowed me down an it's truly made my technical single track a lot more fun.


If you decide to go clipless my suggestion would be to buy a set of shimano pedals and have them swap the cleats for a set of multi-release cleats. Also make sure you WD40 the pedals before every ride as it will help with entry and exit.

ps - Know the next thing people are going to say is with clipless pedals you can benifit from pulling up with the other leg while you are pushing with the down stroke ( the perfect circle theory ). The simple answer to that is bio-mechanically the body was never designed to do that and it doesn't actually help. The only time it may actually help is when your legs are fried and you need a rest you can cheat and pull up. However you better have a very strong core as it's very bad for your body.

[Seanbikes]

I don't claim to be an expert in bio mechanics or really anything but there has to be some sort of benefit otherwise they wouldn't be used by top racers in XC, BMX and depending on the course DH also.

[Huckster McPlush]

I don't run clipless pedals,  but for dh,  there is a big benefit.   When going through the gnar, your feet are always in the sweet spot,  no shuffling around and getting into a goofy foot position.   

[liv_rong]

Clipless pedal theory totally proven wrong by one website. 


INTERNET

[Seanbikes]

Clipless pedal theory totally proven wrong by one website. 


INTERNET

For the win

[IllinoisRider]

Until you've mashed a slow steep climb while pulling up in clipless pedals, you won't know how much they help. I don't think they help that much when spinning, but for mashing there is no question.

[Syborg tt]

Clipless pedal theory totally proven wrong by one website. 


INTERNET

Not really one site.

Actually there have been plenty of study's by our roadie friends and James just put all of the study's together in one place. If you take to the time to listen to his pod cast you may find it very interesting. Only then can you truly make an informed decision. Heck all he did was put together all of the scientific facts that have been around for years and post it up.

For years I worked with the National Academy of Sports Medicine and trust me 15 years ago the research was there. You are no stronger with clipless pedals. Even some of the road guru trainers are finally admitting they were wrong.

Here is my favorite myth.
 If you put mtb clipless pedals on your road bike it's not as good as road clipless pedal. Road clipless pedal will make you faster. Not possible they are doing the exact same thing.

Here is another simple thought

If you broke your foot today and they put you in a cast for 6 weeks. What happens to the muscles in your foot. They atrophy due to no use - simple  fact. So when you go out and buy a set of Carbon fiber sole shoe's your get to exert more power to the pedals right ?? But what happens to the muscles in your feet when your riding. They get weaker why -- because you just put a cast on your foot.

Save your carbon shoe's for race day and use your regular flexible sole shoe's for training. You might find yourself just that little bit stronger. Sprinters and runners train and race in different shoe's...

[IllinoisRider]

Once again, it's not spinning that clipless pedals help with.  It's mashing at very slow RPM, the kind where you could STAND on the pedal and not go anywhere, but add some upwards pulling force and you finally crest the summit.  There is no debate over this.

[liv_rong]

There is no debate over this.

The internet provides endless debates in regards to everything.  It is, unfortunately, one of the only cons of the internet.

[fat-tyr]

Once again, it's not spinning that clipless pedals help with.  It's mashing at very slow RPM, the kind where you could STAND on the pedal and not go anywhere, but add some upwards pulling force and you finally crest the summit.  There is no debate over this.

You cant effectively pull up when your standing and apply the same forward force. I think clipless do a great job in masking my lack of true skill.