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Cactus Butt

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01 / Original postCactus ButtRoadCoyote · 11 Sep 2004 02 / This pagePosts 1–6Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #6Scotty_Dog · 12 Sep 2004

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Mountain Bikes
Published
11 September 2004
Last activity
12 September 2004
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RoadCoyote
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Pedal choice

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  1. Original post
    RoadCoyote
    Archived post
    #1

    I'm new to the forum, so forgive me if this topic has been done-to-death ('though I doubt it; I have a feeling I'm the ONLY one having a problem with clipless), but...

    I roadbike. Love it, use clipless pedals, etc etc.

    So then.

    Thought I'd give mountain biking a shot, bought a Specialized '04 Stumpjumper about a month ago, and figured that, just as I'd done with my roadbike, I could go clipless. To my utter humilation, I ended up spending my inaugural ride planting it face-first over and over and over. I was so petrified of not being able to get out in a fix, that I ended up causing my own wrecks. Retrospect, and all that.

    THAT said... I had platform pedals put on until I could get used to the good ol' Arizona trails (one mistake could mean a whole lotta cactus in the rear, and I don't mean tire), the 27 gears, etc, and NOW I think I'm ready to have the clipless pedals put back on.

    Any advice? Anything? At ALL? Bueler?

    I guess what I'm mostly wondering, is this:

    I get the feeling I'm having less success on the uphills (as in-- MAKING IT TO THE TOP!) because I'm not clipped in.

    Is this true? Do most of you ride with clipless pedals? Am I limiting my potential, by riding old-school, with the platforms?

    Any thoughts would be appreciated.

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  2. gruppo
    Archived post
    #2

    IMHO, clipless pedals on an MTB are a mixed blessing. Yes, you get the added pedal power of being attached, but you also loose a good bit of the control of platform pedals. I have switched between clipless and platform at least a dozen times on my MTB and still can't decide -- probably never will.

    While I wouldn't dream of riding my road bike without them, on an MTB, they have a much greater learning curve and I'm not sure the benefits are substantial. Part of my problem is that I used to do a lot of motocrossing, so I am used to having my feet unattached used them a lot for stability and cornering.

    Your decision may depend on what type of riding you want to do and if you plan on competing. If you're just playing around in the dirt -- like I tend to do -- I am a lot more aggressive and comfortable with platforms. If I was going to compete, I would probably take the time to get comfortable and confident with clipless.

    Bottom line; you are not alone. Do what feels right and at your own pace -- the objective is to have fun, not have a funeral.

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  3. Scotty_Dog
    Archived post
    #3
    RoadCoyote said:

    Am I limiting my potential, by riding old-school, with the platforms?


    You are definately limiting your potential. I rode on the trails with platforms for a year before I switched to clipless, and I will never look back. The power increase was very noticeable, and the control I gained over bumpy terrain was nothing short of a miracle. Plus, no more raked shins from bouncing off the pedals.

    Your story is different though, because you have used clipless with roadbiking. Maybe the change of going from roads to trails is the ultimate culprit. Now that you have ridden some trails, I say try them again on an easier and/or familiar trail. 4-5 rides and you'll be a convert.

    One question though: What type of clipless pedals do you have?

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  4. RoadCoyote
    Archived post
    #4
    gruppo said:


    While I wouldn't dream of riding my road bike without them


    I totally agree. I couldn't imagine taking on the mountain roads without them. And I haven't fallen over in ages. 😄

    gruppo said:

    Bottom line; you are not alone. Do what feels right and at your own pace -- the objective is to have fun, not have a funeral.


    Thank you for the advice. It's good to know there isn't a hard fast rule on this kind of thing. The guys at the bike shop keep pressuring me, but, eh, I think skin is a good look on me. I'll keep at it (gaining experience) then give the clipless another shot. Appreciate the thoughts.

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  5. RoadCoyote
    Archived post
    #5
    Scotty_Dog said:

    The power increase was very noticeable, and the control I gained over bumpy terrain was nothing short of a miracle. Plus, no more raked shins from bouncing off the pedals.


    That's the thing that has me tempted to give clipless another try: the bouncing feet! The steep downhills seemed to go hand in hand with moguls and lots of loose rock, making the ride fun, but squirrely. I'm bracing for the day those teeth nail me in the shins. Cripes.

    Scotty_Dog said:

    Maybe the change of going from roads to trails is the ultimate culprit. Now that you have ridden some trails, I say try them again on an easier and/or familiar trail. 4-5 rides and you'll be a convert.


    Admittedly, loose terrain was a huge mind-block intially. Very disconcerting. I think I've convinced myself to give the clipless another shot, on the sportloop where I ride. It's technical, but nothing even a novice like myself can't ride. I landed in a tree the other day, heh, but never fallen over-- I think that's evidence that I could handle a trial run with the clipless again. I'll try. If I'm never heard from again around the forum, you'll know I died cursing your name. ;-) I jest.

    Thank you for the input.

    Scotty_Dog said:

    One question though: What type of clipless pedals do you have?


    Shumano. Local Bike Shop Guy set them at the loosest setting. Getting out of them is far easier than getting out of my roadbike clips (I have to downright psyche myself up into a violent fit to get out of those), but in a JAM, I found myself rather inept at the ol' twist and release. *sigh* Ah well. That which doesn't kill us,... right? Thanks again.

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  6. Scotty_Dog
    Archived post
    #6
    RoadCoyote said:

    I think that's evidence that I could handle a trial run with the clipless again. I'll try. If I'm never heard from again around the forum, you'll know I died cursing your name. ;-) I jest.


    and

    RoadCoyote said:

    Getting out of them is far easier than getting out of my roadbike clips (I have to downright psyche myself up into a violent fit to get out of those)


    ROFLMAO 😄

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