Clipless peds...

[Syborg tt]

I find I climb fastest after I've eaten one wing and two legs of fried chicken.  This too is scientific fact.

Liv_Rong can confirm this.

I've ridden with guys like you that it these killer meals and I can confirm first hand that I seen the benifits.

My riding partners fastest rides seen to be when he is hungover. Has to be the Hops & Barley

[Sean John]

When going through the gnar, your feet are always in the sweet spot,  no shuffling around and getting into a goofy foot position.   

I find this to be the true benefit of clipless pedals. I ride clipless on all my bikes except my DJ for this reason.

Everyone's main concern is getting out of a clipless pedal.  Unless your motor skills are severely inhibited, by the second time you ride, this concern will be GONE.  Getting in and out of clipless RAPIDLY becomes second nature.  Its REALLY easy.  You have a ton of time before the Meltdown.  If this discussion was happening like a week before the race, I'd recommend staying with what you are comfortable with.  However...being that its over a month away, I'd say give the clipless a try.  Ride them on the bike path.  Practice clipping in and out.  You might fall over once or twice, but most people that I've seen do that at extremely low speed...and even then, only once or twice before "getting it."  Keep in mind, you can set the tension on most models.

Since you are open to both...bring both sets and a pedal wrench out to the trails.  I'd suggest riding to the bottom of Gravity Cavity, turning around, and riding back up with both pairs.  See what works for you, and go with it.

And as suggested, try to get more than 35 miles per week...you'll need the fitness as there's a lot of climbing on the Meltdown course.

+1 . Its really not that complicated as everyone makes it out to be. That fear you have of crashing while clipped in is what makes you learn how to unclip real fast.

[scotto370]

Ok,now next question.If i decide to go with a clipless setup what is a good setup for a reasonable amount of $?I can,t spend 3 to 4 hundy for the shoes and pedals at this time but willing to spend about 250 for everything.I know spending 5 to 6 hundy on a clipless setup is easy but for my first time i don't want to break the bank just incase i decide it's not for me.OBTW,I got a big foot size 13 anyone else in the bigfoot club? And if so is there a more perfered shoe for riders with bigger feet???

[Ohfugit]

I like the shimano DX Pedals
you can use them clipped or unclip for technical sections.



http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Clipless-Pedal-PD-M647-DX/dp/B001523CSE

[TrailJumper]

I just bought a Lake SPD/flat style combo shoe. Like a skate shoe, but with recessed cleats. Not bad for $39.

http://www.blueskycycling.com/product4136_NEWITEM_-Lake-LXG2-SPD-Shoes.htm

Also picked up these Welgo double sided SPD/flat style peddles. They are surprisingly light for their size. $39

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/14234-240_WELD15-3-Parts-65-Pedals/Mountain/Wellgo-WAM-D10--Pedals.htm

Looks like I'm good for either or situation at any point. I likey!!!!!

[AnandK]

You have many options for shoes and pedals each < $100.

I am a fan of clipless pedals with a platform, like CB Mallets, Time Atac Z, etc, for mtb'ing.

Ok,now next question.If i decide to go with a clipless setup what is a good setup for a reasonable amount of $?I can,t spend 3 to 4 hundy for the shoes and pedals at this time but willing to spend about 250 for everything.I know spending 5 to 6 hundy on a clipless setup is easy but for my first time i don't want to break the bank just incase i decide it's not for me.OBTW,I got a big foot size 13 anyone else in the bigfoot club? And if so is there a more perfered shoe for riders with bigger feet???

[Benflow]

If you like to ride fast/race, pedals that are dual sided are not a good option--in my opinion.  I want to put my foot down and clip in.  I don't ever look down to clip in.  When I've ridden pedals that are dual sided, I find myself looking down to roll the pedal to the side I need.  Which is always the clip   If you're just out for a chill ride and that nuisance doesn't bother you than it's all good... but if you're trying to 'not think' about your pedals, double sided entry is the way to go. 

If you must have some platform around your clip, I'd recommend the Crank Brothers Acids http://www.crankbrothers.com/pedals_acid.php 

The Crank Brothers Acids and Mallets.

 

[cemeb4dk]

I have always ridden Shimano XT pedals til this year and went with some Time Atac's and IMHO they are far superior, easier in and out, you can adjust the release angle, a bit of float built in and they shed mud much better

[Syborg tt]

If you like to ride fast/race, pedals that are dual sided are not a good option--in my opinion.  I want to put my foot down and clip in.  I don't ever look down to clip in.  When I've ridden pedals that are dual sided, I find myself looking down to roll the pedal to the side I need.  Which is always the clip   If you're just out for a chill ride and that nuisance doesn't bother you than it's all good... but if you're trying to 'not think' about your pedals, double sided entry is the way to go. 

I agree if your trying to learn clipless then these single side cleat / platform is a good start. There are some pedals the have cleat entry on both sides and also have a platform. The new XTR pedals are set up like this.

The other thing on is a shimano pedal will last forever.

ps - i can lend you a set if your not sure. I have plenty laying around all three styles.

[Syborg tt]

Dirt Rag had a great article about going Clip Less. Even the so-called Internet trainer was mention. So the so-called Internet trainer does a monthly article for Decline Magazine, has an article in Dirt Rag I would say he's stepping up in this little community.

I read a lot of MTB Bike Mags from out of the US and it's funny how much they recommend flats over clipless for Mountain bikers. The usually reserve clipless pedals for the Road Riders on Dirt. I can tell you first hand it was a learning curve going back and it was well worth it. My knee's and back no longer hurt and that alone means that I might be able to ride for the next 30 years. That is if I can stop getting different forms of cancer - 2 so far and counting.

So my thoughts are simple if your not a serious racer then why make the switch ??

PS I have nothing against clipless but if your looking for a pair i have about 5 sets for sale cheap. I even have Sidi Carbon Shoe's, Winter Boots, Diador Carbon Shoe's brand new, and a few other sets. Size 9, 9 1/2 and 10 that I can sell ya

[Jewalicious]

are you sure you are not someone we know named Cory???