SPD or not SPD that is the question.....

jibbber

Just bought a Ginat Anthem 1. No pedals, so need to buy some. I have tried SPDs in the past and was put off by a bad crash where I couldn't get my feet out in time. Question is, are they really that essential? I do alot of very fast tight single track on sometimes busy routes and am concerned about crashing badly again, both cuz of the risk of having to stop quickly because of other people in the way and also due to obsicles.

I was looking to buy these nice and light platforms with plenty of grip -
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... odelID=484

Am I being a wimp or am I being sensible due to my riding style and where I ride?

S_J_P

I think that any minor downside of clipless is more than offset by the benefits!

Being able to pull-up using a separate muscle group, always having your feet accurately placed for efficient peddling, ensuring your legs are correctly positioned to avoid knee/hip pain, not smashing your shins on the peddles when you hit a bumpy patch, and being able to air-dry your wet and muddy shoes attached to the pedals on the back of the car are really worth the odd comedy-moment when you unclip right, but lean left

Obviously running your chosen pedals with a low release tension and multi-release cleats goes a long way to eliminating the potential for a catastrophic crash, but at the end of the day if you're already concerned about clipless after a previous incident then you're unlikely to get on with them a second time around.

I wouldn't be without them tough!

stevieboy

Stick the SPD's on, i've managed to master the art of falling off whilst clipped in without hurting myself now

Plus there's nothing better than the occasional comedy clipped in fall to lighten the mood on a group ride

Oh, and there's the proper benefits too like increased bike control, better pedalling action etc

Surf-Matt

Been riding XC bikes for many years - did SPDs for about two years, decided I really don't like them, have been riding an XC bike with platform pedals for about 4 years now. I just wear stiff soled SPD type shoes with no cleats for pedalling efficiency.

I wouldn't say they (SPDs) increase bike control - they just make you lazy.

stevieboy

Surf-Matt wrote:

I wouldn't say they (SPDs) increase bike control - they just make you lazy.

Debate time.

I'm not denying there is more skill involved in handling a bike with flats, but.....

Having had flats for a year i'd say that my bike control is much better with SPD's, call it lazy if you will, but the fact is that I am now able to handle and position the bike better and more consistantly using SPD's.

And from a mechanics point of view, you are connected to the bike, therefore the bike is an extension of you and therefore the bike should do exactly what you want it to do.

As with many things in life, SPD's are marmite - I just happen to love them based on many years of experience using them

Chaka Ping

Jibbber - I'm in the same boat as you in that I've got an Anthem, but don't like clipless pedals much. Especially in the wet.

So far I've kept Time Atacs or Freerides on it, because it just seems wrong to put flats on what is essentially an XC race bike.

I do ride flats on my Cove Handjob - but I don't really miss them on the Anthem because I find it's not a great bike for technical stuff anyway due to the low BB. I just clip out before attempting a log hop or rooty/rocky sections.

This makes it less likely that I will clear technical bits, of course, but I can easily make the time up because it's such a stunningly fast bike on the smoother bits!

toasty

All my SPD accidents (I've not had one in years) involve going too slow and cautious, followed by slowly going off the side.

The majority of my flat pedal accidents involve going too fast, getting unexpectedly thrown up over something, losing footing and landing in a high speed mangled pile.

I'd used SPDS commuting for years but only swapped to them permenantly for trail riding a few months ago myself, I'd had the odd day using them but normally went slower due to paranoia. One day the missus was busy so I'd been left out in the woods for hours. I did lap after lap with SPDs, each getting faster and more confident. By the end of the day I'd knocked about 20% off my fastest flat pedal time over the same course and generally came out less tired after each lap.

I've not looked back, both of my bikes use them now.

robmanic1

How about SPD/Flatty combo's like Shimano do? Best of both perhaps? (Incidentally, I'd be interested to hear from anyone that's used these, are they any good?).

Chaka Ping

I got the Time Freeride Zs with axactly that in mind.

They work well in the dry and offer much more control when unclipped than smaller pedals - but are a bit rubbish in the wet due to having no pins - so my feet keep slipping off.

stevieboy

About 10 years ago I had a set similar to these http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=4516

They were ok for getting used to SPD's etc, but I actually found them more awkward to bind in/out than traditional SPD's. The other issue was clogging, but to be fair ALL spd's can clog.

The one upside however is that you can use them in/out with loads of confidence. So I personally recommend them.

I'm currently on Time ATAC Alium pedals, which are great for knees and they are virtually clog-proof. They are also ok for riding clipped out too. The freeride versions might be worth a look also.

S_J_P

I use caged Shimano SPD's (545's) and unfortuantely find that they offer the worst of both flat/clipless camps.

The cages cause the mechanism to clag-up in muddy weather, and the alloy cages offer far too little grip for un-clipped riding, and the raised mechanism gets in the way. If you're using SPD shoes then you have to ride with your foot in an unnatural position to prevent clipping-in.

My advise would be go for a proper clipless or flat pedal, don't try to mix the two.

toasty

Yeah, the cross overs are never a good idea. Just like the bendy, casual looking shoes with SPD cleats on the bottom.

If in doubt, buy both in my opinion, M520s are £20 from Merlin. Wellgo V8 copies are £12 from CRC. Can't go wrong really whatever you decided.

jibbber

I've only just read all your posts and earlier today I chickened out and ordered some of these, due to their light weight
http://www.alansbikes.com/product_info. ... ucts_id=85

I'll use them for a few months till I am used to the bike (have not even rode it properly yet!). My missus got these with her recently purchased Spec Era FSR Comp, but she aint too keen on the idea either. I may give them ago eventually.
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... ls-06-9866

The shimano caged spds are the ones I had a nasty fall on originally, but these Crank brothers seem a bit better as the clip in bit is always sticking out above the cage a fair bit, so should be easier to get in and out?

jibbber

Surf-Matt wrote:

Been riding XC bikes for many years - did SPDs for about two years, decided I really don't like them, have been riding an XC bike with platform pedals for about 4 years now. I just wear stiff soled SPD type shoes with no cleats for pedalling efficiency.

I wouldn't say they (SPDs) increase bike control - they just make you lazy.

That's what I have been doing with some nice pearl izumi cycle shoes (using without cleats)

Surf-Matt

jibbber wrote:

Surf-Matt wrote:

Been riding XC bikes for many years - did SPDs for about two years, decided I really don't like them, have been riding an XC bike with platform pedals for about 4 years now. I just wear stiff soled SPD type shoes with no cleats for pedalling efficiency.

I wouldn't say they (SPDs) increase bike control - they just make you lazy.

That's what I have been doing with some nice pearl izumi cycle shoes (using without cleats)

Cool - I was beginning to think I was the only one!

supersonic

Its each to therir own. i always say start with flats, learn how to ride with them and get used to the bike, ans then think abouts SPDs. You can still pedal ineffiiciently with SPDs, and pick up bad habits. You'll also learn to bunny hop properly with flats, and the importance of weight shifting.

KonaMike

I have always ridden XC with flats,I'm intrigued by SPD's but I wouldn't want to spend the money to find out that i dont get on with them,plus I bailed 3 times on last Sundays ride so I was glad of the flats for a quick exit.

hastings

every time I take my SPDs off my bike I feel really 'loose' on the bike and I miss them :oops:

so I would say go SPD

indysmith

hastings wrote:

every time I take my SPDs off my bike I feel really 'loose' on the bike and I miss them :oops:

so I would say go SPD

Haha i get the same! It's a very odd feeling, not being attached to your bike.
As far as I'm concerned, XC riders not using SPDs are missing out, as they pedal only by pushing and not by pulling - half of their available power is going to waste! The clipless design also heightens control over your bike, and like someone's already said - they make it seem as though your bike is an extension of yourself. I know there's people that don't get on with them, and I know everyone using them has had at least a fall due to them, but to me they are still 110% worth it for XC. Any other style of MTB riding and i'd think again.
By the way, if anyone knows of a SPD/Flat combo pedal that ACTUALLY works well I'd be interested to know.

Klein.Fan

jibbber wrote:

The shimano caged spds are the ones I had a nasty fall on originally, but these Crank brothers seem a bit better as the clip in bit is always sticking out above the cage a fair bit, so should be easier to get in and out?

I started off with Crank Brothers Mallets about 2 years ago, because I wanted to make sure I had a platform as well as the SPDs - but less than a year I got rid of those and moved on to Candys; and the only reason I haven't gotten Eggbeaters yet is because I want a frame around the clip mechanism (just took a nice-sized chunk out of my pedals on a rock over the weekend).

And I wouldn't worry about the crashes, I regularly star-fish over the handlebars and clip out without even realising I've done it

Jaba666

Hiya

I'd try some EggBeaters.... I changed from SPD's approx 12 months ago and have not looked back.

gs3

I agree with Klein.Fan - once you get really used to SPD's or any other "clipless" (which doesn't really make much sense - does it??) pedal system you tend to find that you unclip without thinking about it and usually always before hitiing/ bouncing off the related obstacle/ ground.
Obviously I wouldn't recommend SPD's for freeride, street or jump related activities but for XC you really can't beat them for efficiency and the feeling of connection.

However, I would highly recommend that basic bike skills such as bunny-hop, wheelie, manuals are practiced on flat pedals to better understand the mechanics involved in the action and because you WILL fall off a lot until you get it right.

As far as combi flat/ SPD pedals go - don't even go there! If riding with trainers you'll only get annoyed when you always find the SPD side of the pedal and vice versa, when riding SPD equipped shoes you spend more time trying to look at the correct side of the pedal to clip into than you do at the trail or path you are riding.

Give SPD's a decent chance to convince you - and I don't just mean one ride - but at the end of the day it's your choice.

Only an opinion.


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Chaka Ping

I've only tried Time clipless pedals - but after about two years I still can't clip out instinctively.

Is there anybody who has tried Time and other brands? Is it a trait of Time pedals (perhaps because of the extra float) that they're harder to clip out of than Shimano/Crank Bros?

gs3

Shimano tend to be the easiest to clip out of in a hurry due to being able to adjust the spring tension in the clip and also have the option of a multi-release cleat for your shoe - Crank Bros and Time can only be unclipped by twisting to the side due to their inherent design but, as you say, they do have more float than Shimano so can be a benefit to those of us with dodgy knees (when that time comes!).

I would always suggest trying Shimano SPD's first as they do tend to be more beginner-friendly.

I started out with Shimano and have since progressed to Crank Bros as I like the way I cannot pull my feet out unless I twist my heel outwards - no unintentional unclipping when pulling hard up the steeper sections of the trail - and the fact that there is a little bit more available float.

I'm not saying that the Crank's are better than Shimano or Time, it's just that they suit my style of riding. Each to their own.

.

Chaka Ping

Sounds like I might be better off with Shimano, as I still have regular "can't unclip" accidents.

I wish I'd kept the pair that came on my last bike to try them out.

I just have a strong brand loyalty to Time because for years before I went clipless I (and before Crank Bros existed) I recognised that their system had to be the best for mud clearance - and so I've stuck with them.

gs3

I would give Shimano a go!

A decent set of Shimano pedals including cleats can be as little as £17.50 delivered

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... egoryId=81

Once you get used to clipping out quickly then switch back over to your Time ones and sell the Shimanos on to a friend or someone else who wants to try being "at one with their bike".

Quick question - Chaka Ping, is it your pedals which are difficult to instinctively unclip from or does the sole of your shoes impede the action?

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Chaka Ping

I think it's difficult to twist my foot enough to disengage the cleat from the bars.

It's hard to tell exactly, as the ground is usually rushing up towards me and distracting me while I'm trying to do it.

gs3

stevieboy

Chaka Ping wrote:

I've only tried Time clipless pedals - but after about two years I still can't clip out instinctively.

Is there anybody who has tried Time and other brands? Is it a trait of Time pedals (perhaps because of the extra float) that they're harder to clip out of than Shimano/Crank Bros?

Yeah, my Time's are a bit of a swine to get out of, especially when panic sets in.
However it's a small price to pay compared to the benefits of the extra float.

Mc Smiley

SPDS for cross countrydefineltly, rough descents on a hardtail without them could lead to no future family. :shock:

The crashes can be quite painful if you fall going slowly but if its at speed it doesn't hurt as much - odd.
Try the flats and then maybe have a go at SPDs, its one less thing to worry about. Learn how to move the bike with flats and then maybe when you strive that extra speed and acceleration make the switch

Not lazy, more efficiency, Its like refusing to get a dishwasher or washing machine because you have a sink.

HansRoaming

I have SPDs and unclip when it looks really scary ahead but after a number of comedy moments have sort of managed to learn how to unclip without thinking about it. However am getting a set of DMR V8s for when we go out on really technical or jumpy stuff.