to clip in or not...

19-02.-2006, 08:08 AM	#1
mbr andy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Great Wyrley, nr Cannock Posts: 7	to clip in or not... hi everyone, I'm very new to all this mtb riding stuff and, at the momment at least, i'm only doing it for fun, nothing too serious you understand. I mostly enjoy cross country, single track type riding. However I have a dilemma, to clip in or not to clip in? I started out with a £70 bike from Argos (it did the job) but soon realised that it just wouldn't cut the grade if I was going to have any real fun. I'm now riding a Baracuda frame that I found in a bin (no really, I did). I've spent about £250 on refitting it with brakes and running gear ect. Then came the pedals, I got a pair of clippless jobbies, fitted them and couldn't stay upright, every time something went wrong under my wheels I ended up sat in a bush, great fun for my friends who would also fall off laughing at me. So at the momment I've still got the pedals fitted to the bike but just wearing normal trainers so therefore don't clip in, and stay upright more. So does this mean that I'm never going to be able to realise my full potential for fun, or am I infact just a whimp who has no inner ear ablity at all? Is it worth trying the clippless pedals once more, or should I just put them in the bin? Andy. Cannock, Staffs. UK

19-02.-2006, 01:33 PM	#2
triguy98 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 317	Re: to clip in or not... If your pedals have a tension adjustment screw, set it to as loose as it goes. Also check and see if you can adjust the release angle by swapping cleats. A more shallow release angle is better. Clipless def. have a learning curve. Once you get it, youll be better off. __________________ '05 GF Cake DLX SRAM X-9, 'Zocchi MX Comp, Avid BB7 Trek Equinox 7: 105, all stock, all fast '99 GT XCR5000: LX/XT, Avid SDs, Judy XC ------------------------------------------------------ Life is short, ride hard. BONZAI!!!!

20-02.-2006, 03:17 PM

Rocket_Man

Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2006

Location: Rapid City, SD

Posts: 71

Re: to clip in or not...

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbr andy

hi everyone,
I'm very new to all this mtb riding stuff and, at the momment at least, i'm only doing it for fun, nothing too serious you understand. I mostly enjoy cross country, single track type riding.
However I have a dilemma, to clip in or not to clip in?

I started out with a £70 bike from Argos (it did the job) but soon realised that it just wouldn't cut the grade if I was going to have any real fun. I'm now riding a Baracuda frame that I found in a bin (no really, I did). I've spent about £250 on refitting it with brakes and running gear ect.

Then came the pedals, I got a pair of clippless jobbies, fitted them and couldn't stay upright, every time something went wrong under my wheels I ended up sat in a bush, great fun for my friends who would also fall off laughing at me.

So at the momment I've still got the pedals fitted to the bike but just wearing normal trainers so therefore don't clip in, and stay upright more.

So does this mean that I'm never going to be able to realise my full potential for fun, or am I infact just a whimp who has no inner ear ablity at all? Is it worth trying the clippless pedals once more, or should I just put them in the bin?

Andy. Cannock, Staffs. UK

I would try 'em again!!! I just got some Crank Bros. Eggbeaters...LOVE THEM... likewise fell a couple of times. Check into seeing if there is a different release point to change to...or tension adjustment. There is a learning curve also...People told me up to a month of constant riding?? It took me about three falls, then I decided to practice. What I did was clipped in one foot, pushed off, clipped in the other, rode for 10-15 feet, slowed down and released one foot, stopped, released the other...REPEAT, using the other foot. Now it is like I never knew any different way to ride

20-02.-2006, 11:26 PM	#4
mbr andy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Great Wyrley, nr Cannock Posts: 7	Re: to clip in or not... Thanx for all your advise and replying so promptly. I went out yesterday, did about 25km, with the clipless shoes on again to give them another go. I seemed to get on with them much better, only fell off once and that wasn't cos of the shoes but more to do with speed, gradient, unstable surface oh and crap rider, but the clipped in idea certainly felt better. I'm going to have a closer look at the pedals and see if I can slacken them off a bit, I'll let you know how I get on with them. Thanx again. Andy Cannock. UK

01-03.-2006, 07:41 AM	#5
SLCKev Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 3	Re: to clip in or not... If you haven't already bought clipless pedals, you might want to look at the Time ATAC. Great for newbies or experienced riders, don't clog up with mud, easy in and out. __________________ Salt Lake City Homes & Condos http://www.SLCHomeBuyer.com

04-03.-2006, 02:19 AM

Digibike

Registered User

Join Date: May 2005

Location: S.E. WI USA

Posts: 28

Re: to clip in or not...

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdahoohadI

I have been riding for about 4 yrs and just 2 months ago switched from clipless to flats. I like the feel of the flat pedals much better. You don't feel attached to the bike. I have fallen a number of times because my clipless pedals did not disengage.

Although I like the way clipless pedals keep my feet in place.....I think I will stay with flats.

Also since switching over I have found I am much more willing to try stuff like "wall rides" "log rides" hoping over stumps and just going down rock faces I would of never dreamed of trying before. I think it's cuz I can "bailout" if needed

Interesting point, I started riding again last year after a decade off the bike. My new bike had clipless and I fell a few times and got more used to them, but after 6 months of riding with clipless I'm still intimidated to try things because I worry I'll be trapped attached to my bike! Maybe I should try some flats?

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04-03.-2006, 09:52 AM

Rocket_Man

Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2006

Location: Rapid City, SD

Posts: 71

Re: to clip in or not...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digibike

I guess I have the opp. feeling on that. I feel I have more control over myself and the bike. I do understand the "bailout" option...but I think I would like to try and land it.

05-03.-2006, 04:24 AM	#10
mbr andy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Great Wyrley, nr Cannock Posts: 7	Re: to clip in or not... thanx again everyone who has replied... I was out at the weekend and tried the clipless again... It has to be said I did get on better with them than I have in the past. Only provided one momment of entertainment for my mates, and to be honest I had a good laugh about it myself.

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