Mountain bike pedal questions

[YOUKNOW]

Hey everyone,

I'm new in the mtb scene, but was looking for clip-in pedals. I have some platforms right now, but have been advised that clip-in's are way better. I have found a few cheap sets on ksl. What should I be looking for? Should they come with the cleats? Will the shoes come with the cleats? Are all clip-in's-shoes universal so they always work with each other? I have a coupon to the outlets in Park City that I am going to use at Pearl Izumi for the shoes.

Here are some that I found online. What should I look for, and how do I know they are good?

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=21152254&cat=645&lpid=2&search=pedal
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=21470188&cat=645&lpid=&search=pedal
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=21330939&cat=645&lpid=1&search=pedal
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=21556901&cat=645&lpid=2&search=
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=21553378&cat=645&lpid=3&search=
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=21507776&cat=645&lpid=9&search=
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=19578468&cat=645&lpid=&search=pedal


Thanks for all the input!

 

[solidfrontaxle]

http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/bike+pedals.html

 

[Kevin B.]

What kind of riding are you doing? How good are you?

I'm a low-intermediate, technically. I still dab too much in the rough stuff to feel comfortable clamping my shoes to the pedals. If you're doing technical or downhill, you might want to consider holding off on the clip-ins until you're better.

 

[sixstringsteve]

The cleats cone with the pedals. Shoes are compatible with all pedals. However, one brand of pedals is almost never compatible with another. I've only run shimano pedals and I have zero complaints. Pedals are personal preference, and each different type of clip less pedals will have a different feel and different pros and cons

One thing I would advise is to not get the ones with the platform around them.

If you're not quite ready for clip less pedals, try some pedals with the toe cage. They'll give you some of the same benefits at a cheaper cost.

The shoes make a big difference as well. Some people love stiff soles and others prefer more of a skate shoe that's flexible. You'll want shoes with a good grippy tread. Try on as many as you can and see what feels good. And remember, the best shoes for walking around aren't necessarily the best shoes for riding.

 

[Tacoma]

Sixstringsteve is mostly correct-- BUT several brands of pedal are compatible with each other-- if they say "SPD compatible"... Shimano developed a standard in the early 90's, when there were a hundred small machinists making parts and all kinds of wacky cleat systems. So if your pedals are "SPD compatible", the cleats should work in every pedal that is.

I have to disagree with Steve about pedals w/a platform around them-- they are a LOT more forgiving than a minimalist pedal, especially if you're doing technical trail riding w/jumps and drop-offs and whatnot. There is a steep learning curve w/clipless pedals and sometimes you just can't clip out, so keep that in mind.

Soft-soled shoes will eventually rip out around the cleat bases. Hard soled shoes are almost a necessity, so you get to clog around with them if you go that route.

Personally, I raced cross country for about 10yrs, loved my clipless pedals (Ritcheys, because they clipped out easily, and were big enough to stand on if I missed clipping back in), and I'm going back to big flats. The current crop of big, wide flat pedals is great in my opinion, just a lot easier all around, with no real drawbacks.

Where is John Washburn in this thread!?!?

 

[sixstringsteve]

I have to disagree with Steve about pedals w/a platform around them-- they are a LOT more forgiving than a minimalist pedal, especially if you're doing technical trail riding w/jumps and drop-offs and whatnot. There is a steep learning curve w/clipless pedals and sometimes you just can't clip out, so keep that in mind.

Agree to disagree.

I think the platform/clipless pedals are totally useless. They suck to clip in to, and they suck when you're not clipped in. I have both and I've never stuck with the platform ones. To each his own though.

 

[Unimog]

Agree to disagree.

I think the platform/clipless pedals are totally useless. They suck to clip in to, and they suck when you're not clipped in. I have both and I've never stuck with the platform ones. To each his own though.

I have to join with Tacoma on this one. I love my platforms with spd clip less built in (Wellgo WAMD10). The only bad part is the clip is only on one side. I tend to like long rides with clip less shoes, but there are too many times that I like to hop on the bike with hiking shoes on and just ride around - in this case, I can't stand doing it without a platform with some spikes to grip my soles. This behavior also affects my favorite choice of shoes. I HAVE to have a shoe with a decent sole that I can hop off and hike in or I'm not happy. Lots of people like the "egg beater" pedals; I tried and didn't like. I like to be able to adjust the release to come out pretty easy. YMMV

 

[Tacoma]

A lot of it depends on your riding style, when it comes down to it. It's America, hang out, use what you want maaaaan

 

[YOUKNOW]

I have read the article and appreciated the advice that was given. I do most of my riding as cross country. I am going to give some clipless pedals a try. One of the ads has what looks like a small platform, I may try that for the first time around, that way if I miss the clip, I still have the platform. I'll also look for a hard sole shoe. Thanks for all of the input guys! If anyone else wants to chime in, fell free!

 

[sixstringsteve]

my advice once you get them, set them on their loosest setting (or close to loosest) and ride around at a park with lots of grass for a few hours. When I got mine I pulled up to a stop sign and I wasn't in the habbit of unclipping, and I tipped over and slammed the sidewalk. 3 crashes later and it was starting to become second nature.

 

[Unimog]

X2 on practicing on some soft terrain. Me and my boys all took a clipless tip over at least once back when we took it up. It seems stupid, but pretty common until the sideways twist to release your foot becomes second nature.

 

[YOUKNOW]

my advice once you get them, set them on their loosest setting (or close to loosest) and ride around at a park with lots of grass for a few hours. When I got mine I pulled up to a stop sign and I wasn't in the habbit of unclipping, and I tipped over and slammed the sidewalk. 3 crashes later and it was starting to become second nature.

X2 on practicing on some soft terrain. Me and my boys all took a clipless tip over at least once back when we took it up. It seems stupid, but pretty common until the sideways twist to release your foot becomes second nature.

That is great advice. Maybe I'll wear my gopro when I for try them out for a little entertainment to post up...

 

[GOAT]

Hey everyone,

I'm new in the mtb scene, but was looking for clip-in pedals. I have some platforms right now, but have been advised that clip-in's are way better. I have found a few cheap sets on ksl. What should I be looking for? Should they come with the cleats? Will the shoes come with the cleats? Are all clip-in's-shoes universal so they always work with each other? I have a coupon to the outlets in Park City that I am going to use at Pearl Izumi for the shoes.

Here are some that I found online. What should I look for, and how do I know they are good?

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=21152254&cat=645&lpid=2&search=pedal
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=21470188&cat=645&lpid=&search=pedal
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=21330939&cat=645&lpid=1&search=pedal
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=21556901&cat=645&lpid=2&search=
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=21553378&cat=645&lpid=3&search=
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=21507776&cat=645&lpid=9&search=
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=19578468&cat=645&lpid=&search=pedal


Thanks for all the input!

Definitely some good input on this thread. Here's my 2c:

I'm in a similar situation. It had been 20+ years since i had ridden a mountainbike and was a little apprehensive about getting "clipped in" so i chose an aggressive platform pedal from canfield brothers in utah. They have been great but running regular cross country shoes with them sucks and has left me looking for better shoes, which resurfaced the spd question. For cross country riding, I'm good with the idea of using SPD pedals, but for downhill and the other technical trails out here, I wont touch them. I have decided on some five ten maltese falcons and shimano XT pedals. Five tens are bullet proof and the maltese and hellcat can be used with or without SPDs so I can can swap pedals out depending on the trail or until I pick up an aggressive all-mountain or freeride bike. As bonus the five tens dont look like ballerina shoes

Lastly, you will also struggle to find many good reviews on pearl izumi shoes as they seem to fall apart quickly. You may be better off using that coupon for shorts etc.

Maltese
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/22...oes/Mountain/Five-Ten-Maltese-Falcon-Shoe.htm

 

[TJDukit]

Since I'm just getting back into this I'm going to be looking into the same thing. I see a few website recommending clip-less if you ride more than 10 miles a day or ride for fitness. I'm doing both and plan on moving back up into some real trails once I'm ready.

I read a few articles on pedals and shoes and since I plan on doing more single track riding when I'm ready I'm guessing I need more of a MT bike geared shoe that I can hike in if needed so an inset clip and compatible pedal would be needed.

Any recommendations on what shoes to look at as far as comfort but a shoe that will give the proper support? I feel I can make a good choice on which pedal to purchase based on internet research but I am finding it hard to make a decision for the shoe.

 

[Unimog]

You really need to see and try some on. Most every brand builds a more comfortable shoe with a better hiking sole. My current favorites are shimano brand. Last pair were pearl izumis.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I've loved my Nike and shimano shoes in the past.

 

[UFAB]

Sidi and egg beater Ti. All you need. SPD are reliable, but still shimano. There are anti shimano riders out there.

Road pedals are a whole different playing field.

 

[DOSS]

Sidi and egg beater Ti. All you need. SPD are reliable, but still shimano. There are anti shimano riders out there.

Road pedals are a whole different playing field.

^^^^^ THIS.. although I do like my crank brothers Candy