to clipless or not to clipless?

GibboGT

My new bike comes with candy brothers clipless pedals, i've asked them to be swapped to DMR v12's as i've never used clipless, don't have any shoes for them, and really liked the v8's I had on my last bike.

For a short hilly commute and weekend woodland, singletrack and riding on the downs should I be thinking about a switch to clipless?

Do most people use them? or do they still stick with flats?

sc999cs

I've been using clipless pedals for at least 15 years on road and MTB bikes. Today I had to replace my spds with platforms in order to diagnose a creak on the bike. Ugh how do people ride without clipless pedals. Feet are all over the place, I've lost half my pedaling power as I can no longer pull on the upstroke, I no longer feel that I have total control over the bike because my feet may slip off the pedals at any moment. Thoroughly unpleasent.

Vote for clipless for me!

Steve C

Neil Fat man on a bike

Clipless every time.
If you get some with cages you can still pedal wearing trainners or shoes when you nip down the shops. They also help to support your foot a bit better thab some of these minamalist looking ones. But I'd generally agree with the above post. I always used clips and straps until I converted maybe 2 or 3 years ago and I love them.
Deffinately the way forward, its like 20% more power for free !

schmako

Good riders can use both. For me clipless is good for xc and commuting, wouldn't bother with spd's when I'm on the freeride bike though!

GibboGT

Well i'm kinda convinced. With the candy brothers i rode it the other day it had these rubber things on top of one side, I hated them!

What are cages? any images or for sale anywhere?

Any recommendations for a cheapish shoe for clipless?

delcol

i use shimano dx they a clip in with a cage (platform) round most of the time i will ride clipped in but if the going gets tough or i feel a little out of my depth i will unclip and like flats...
there a loads of offers on the net. check out the likes of

www.merlincycles.co.uk

www.wiggle.co.uk
www.chainreactioncycles.com
www.jejamescycles.co.uk i got 2 pairs of shoes from these cheap.

just to name a few evans also have a sale on just spend some time looking you are best trying them on as some are a tight fit..

i also use clipless peds on my commute bike to defo better for their efficiency especially if your going any distance...

like mentioned above if freeriding then i would probably go flats....

dont be put off by spd i was for a while with all the rumours but they aint that hard to master and their pros out weigh the cons any day...

sc999cs

GibboGT wrote:

Well i'm kinda convinced. With the candy brothers i rode it the other day it had these rubber things on top of one side, I hated them!

What are cages? any images or for sale anywhere?

Any recommendations for a cheapish shoe for clipless?

Which model Candy Brothers do you have? Look at CRC's website to get an idea. The rubber thing might be removable by twisting it. Their system is slightly different from SPD. They consist of a four way spring which is less 'adjustable' than the SPD type. It also matters which foot each cleat is placed as this affects the release angle. Crank Brother cleats are also made of brass and wear down really quickly. Once worn they no longer hold your foot in place correctly. Replacement Crank Brother's cleats are also far more expensive than the SPD cleats. There are reports of shoe soles being ruined by Crank Brother pedals If you want clipless pedals but don't like the Crank Brother pedals it may be worthwhile buying some Shimano pedals instead. I've used both and it's horses for courses which you choose.

Whether or not you decide to keep these pedals or change to SPD, the same shoes can be used for both systems as the bolt holes distances are the same between the two systems. I currently have Shimano MT41 shoes but have also used an older model of Shimano MT20 shoes. However any described as SPD should fit. You can see the many different types available at CRC's website although for a first pair it may be worthwhile going into a shop as sizes do vary.

Finally before I bore you any more cages are just a pedal shape around the SPD part of the pedal ie M647 pedals. However as you become more experienced you'll learn to unclip and rest your foot on the SPD clamp without clipping in again so a cage isn't necessary, but I would recommend this type for a beginner to clipless pedals.

Anonymous

Just thought I'd give a shout out for flat pedals.
Forum seems heavily tilted towards SPD folk.

taliesyn

yeehaamcgee wrote:

Just thought I'd give a shout out for flat pedals.
Forum seems heavily tilted towards SPD folk.

Which flats do you use?

Anonymous

any DMR V12 copy. Currently using Club Roost ones.
I used to use Shimano DX636 (I think - the red ones with the cage) years ago, but found out i got on better with flats.

ratty2k

Another vote for flats, running Gusset slim jims and 5:10 shoes- sooooooo much grip!

big_scot_nanny

I have to say that I started with CrankBros Candy pedals on my Stumpy FSR, and although I tried and tried, they were, frankly, sh*t.

Couldn't get my foot to engage, way to much roatation required to click out, no emergency bail out option. The first point may be shoe related, perhaps not the ideal sole pattern for the pedal, happy to concede that. (using Specialized Tahoe)

It was so bloody frustrating on remounting the bike to not be able to get the foot to engage, and there was not enough pedal to be able to go any distance without clipping in as mud, water etc meant you would slip off real fast.

So, bought Shimano 647 DX pedals, and after 3 decent runs on them I absolutely love them. Platform is ace, feet engage very easily, absolutely superb. Pedalling do-able without spd shoes also.

Kev

artillerydave

I would say DX647 are the best clipless pedal out there. great grip and amazing performance, super reliable and servicable. what more could you ask for.

roger_merriman

for what the OP is after clipless is probably better, this said while i do clipless when on thin tires for mud plugging i like flats and V8/12 really are very good indeed. even riding though thick clay etc one's feet stay planted.

Steve_F

5 10 shoes and V8 pedals. I like being clipped in on my road bike but I like to be able to get the foot down going fast into a corner or get away from my bike in an off without having to twist my feet!

Splasher

Horses for courses. You get more efficiency with clipless whereas you can get a foot down or bail out easier with flats.

For these reasons most XC riders use SPDs, most freeriders use flats and DH seems split down the middle.

Sudden Death

Wotcha,

I used SPDs for years and found the efficiency they allow fantastic.
Still remember the first time I tried them and stopped at a set of lights, tried to pull my foot rearwards, as if exiting my toe clips, et voila! I toppled over sideways and looked like an idiot, much to the delight of the pedestrians walking past

Swapped to flatties when I moved back to bmx and have stayed with the ever since, they're not as efficient, they don't give you the same sense of security, but they're comfortable and feel more organic...

beski

I took the CrankBros Candys off my bike and put DMR v8 Flats on, to be honest I didn't fancy the extra expenditure on the shoes, & I do a lot of riding on the South Downs where some tracks are chalky with flint, or any moisture on the chalk makes it very slippy so I like to be able to dab my feet down pretty sharpish if need be

Boffington

yeah DMR V12's and 5.10s feel almost like being clipped in, its insane how much grip you have

GibboGT

Cheers for all the input folks.

Still very undecided, don't like the idea of having to always use clipless shoes to ride, and turns out know i know what cages are, i've ridden them before and hated them, with normal trainers, compared to my V8's had no grip at all.

Think the pedals that come with the gt avalanche expert that i'm buying are crank bros candy C's, not too sure really as not listed in any spec on the bike, but they look like the C's.

In all honesty I wont at this stage go out and buy some other spd's, if i change the standard pedals, i'll trade in the candy's for DMR V12's as the grip and bearing is amazing imo. ANd they will pretty much with about £10 going there way swap them straight over.

Will mainly, other than the short commute, be doing stuff on and around the downs, and a bit of narrow muddy woodland stuff so would feel a little insecure if my feet were bolted in. But maybe that would change once used to them.

Gotta go into evans tomorrow anyways as I may have left my debit card in there after taking a test ride the other day, so will have a look through shoe's etc. Just don't wanna stick with flats if i'm missing out on a whole load of power that I could have, there is a huge hill up to my house on my way home from work, it gets tougher as the week goes on and is knackering on a friday after work!

I have noticed though that the bike weighs 28 lbs, V12's weigh about 2.5 lbs, thats nearly 1/10th the weight of the whole bike!! then again I could easily drop a few pounds of the belly to make up for it.

sc999cs

In all honesty I wont at this stage go out and buy some other spd's, if i change the standard pedals, i'll trade in the candy's for DMR V12's as the grip and bearing is amazing imo. ANd they will pretty much with about £10 going there way swap them straight over.

I think you'll be happier changing the Candy's for the DMRs then. You can always buy clipless in the future.

supersonic

Start with flats, get used to the bike and leant some skills, then thinking about SPDs later. You'll benefit more this way.

Wellgo MG1 are only 375g.

turbodog

i am using wellgo MG1 and five ten low impact shoes. It is pretty good.

andyturner28

I have Time Attack peddals which use the same system as Crank Brothers and although clipping in is sometimes a bit tricky, unclipping in an emergency or a fall is easy. I have had 2 over the bars incidents recently and they unclipped without me even thinking about it. It is only the left one which is a pain to clip in sometimes so that might be down to cleat position. Anyway, i would give the Candy's a go, You get so much more power spinning up steep hills as you can power round the entire revolution of the cranks. I don't think i would have made it across the South Downs Way without them, especially from Truligh hill onwards!

Andy.

wheezee

I'm fairly new to clipless, but I'm having a pretty rough time with them. I've got the Time Zs. They clip in easily and are fine in use, but getting out is really difficult. You have to twist your foot round sharply to what feels like 90º to get the bastards to let go. I've lost count of the number of times I've dropped to the floor, whilst twisting and bucking like I'm having a fit.

Maybe it's the shoes, maybe it's me, but I'm far from convinced.

andyturner28

wheezee wrote:

I've lost count of the number of times I've dropped to the floor, whilst twisting and bucking like I'm having a fit.

Yeah i'v done that a couple of times too, most embarisingly riding out of a station with some mates, look at some nice looking girls and fall over the other way right in front of them :oops:. They keep on bringing that one up every 5 minuits!

forgotrafe

I like the Shimano pedals that have adjustable tension.

If you can't unclip in an instant, you're never going to like clipless pedals.

Rafe

GibboGT

Think i'm gonna get them to switch to v12's then. I've got some bog standard shimano spd's that came with my 2006 avalanche 1.0, maybe at some point i'll buy some shoes and give them a go, then if I like them, upgrade.

Cheers for all the input.

Don't like the idea of looking like a muppet and stacking it slapstick style whilst trying to put a foot down.

switchback18

I've been MTBing for 18 years, used toe clips for about 10 or 11 of them, SPDs for about 4, and then V8/V12's and Five Tens. Best thing I've ever done. If your technique's good, flats are no prob, you will stay in contact with the bike without needing to be attached. Have to admit SPDs are a bit more efficient for power, but not enough to outweigh the advantages of flats for me. Just make sure you use Five Tens or at least some grippy skate shoes, it's no good with other shoes. Five Tens let you ride all day in comfort.
I'll be on flats for ever...

gbrnole

switchback18 wrote:

I've been MTBing for 18 years, used toe clips for about 10 or 11 of them, SPDs for about 4, and then V8/V12's and Five Tens. Best thing I've ever done. If your technique's good, flats are no prob, you will stay in contact with the bike without needing to be attached. Have to admit SPDs are a bit more efficient for power, but not enough to outweigh the advantages of flats for me. Just make sure you use Five Tens or at least some grippy skate shoes, it's no good with other shoes. Five Tens let you ride all day in comfort.
I'll be on flats for ever...

+1

V12's and 5-10's all the way. I tried clipless and although my feet stayed attached to the pedals they would slip sideways and twist, felt awful and had no where near as much control over the bike.

I would go clipless if i was doing a 50 mile ride but even then i would take the clipless pedals with a grippy platform like the mallets.

Tell the truth when those v12s dig into the 5-10 soles you are practically clipped in!

bigfoot36954

GibboGT wrote:

Well i'm kinda convinced. With the candy brothers i rode it the other day it had these rubber things on top of one side, I hated them!

What are cages? any images or for sale anywhere?

Any recommendations for a cheapish shoe for clipless?

cages cover your toe area on your shoe and they have straps that hold your feet in, now from what i;ve heard from people and their stories that they are like death cages because when you fall you can't get your feet out and you crash with your bike.

i ride with flats the pedals that came with my bike on my trek 4300 and i have about 470 miles on em but i'm looking into clipless.

i would suggest clipless for uphill climbing and just so you can keep those feet planted on your pedals when going over a rocky area.