Which clipless pedals to start with?

Stalker9

Hi folks,

I wonder if I could trouble you knowledgable people for some advice.

I've not long been into this MTB fun (just 6 rides so far) but I would like to try and learn to use clipless pedals from the off.

Having bought and read this months What Mountain Bike which reviews a load of pedals, i'm thinking of getting the Time ATAC Alium's due to the comments about being easy on the knees (mine are a bit rubbish after a big motorbike crash years ago).

The question I have though, is that these seem to have an auto adjustment system as far as how tight the lock-on part is and I wondered how easy it will be for me to unclip from these compared to say the Shimano 520's which enable you to manually set the spring tightness to slack for when you first get used to them?

Whilst being easy on the knees is good in principle, its not so good if i'm gonna fall on them because I can't unclip easily enough. :?

Cheers in advance for your help.

Simon

.blitz

Float is different to clip tension. The Times have more float and will be easier on your knees while pedalling whereas a slack pair of SPDs will be just awful. If you do go for the 520s, maybe try them with the SH56 multi-release cleats until you get used to them.

gs3

Try Shimano's to begin with as you have the advantage of using "multi-release" cleats which allow you to simply pull your foot off the pedal in that first "must-get-foot-down-quick" panic moment when you realise you need to put your foot down but have forgotten that you are attached to the bike - it WILL happen!!!

Time pedals and Crank Bros pedals do have the benefit of a bit more 'float' but you can only twist your foot out of the mechanism.

It's your choice but as you can get the 520's for about £17 including cleats it's not too bad an investment to get you on the clipless ladder.

Have fun finding out!

.

andrewjoseph

I can only speak for Crank Bros pedals, the release effort can be hard initially, but not as hard as properly tensioned shimano spd's. After a few rides the CrankBros cleat and pedal interface bed in nicely and release is smooth and effortless.

I also highly recommend trying the multi release cleats on shimano pedals.

Stalker9

Thanks for your replies folks.

So, the float refers to the movement you have either up and down or side to side before you unclip rather than how easy or hard it is to actually unclip.

Shimano 520's it is then..

Thanks again.

Simon

Chaka Ping

Times can be a bit tough to unclip from, I still have the odd moment after riding them for a couple of years.

But the Aliums are also cheap, bombproof and comfy - so defintely try them if you don't get on with Shimano.

andrewjoseph

Stalker9 wrote:

Thanks for your replies folks.

So, the float refers to the movement you have either up and down or side to side before you unclip rather than how easy or hard it is to actually unclip.

Shimano 520's it is then..

Thanks again.

Simon

Float refers to the side to side (horizontal) movement before you unclip, there should be very little vertical float.

Crank Bros have either 15 or 20 deg float before unclipping, depending on how the cleats are fitted. Shimano have just the 20 (?) deg.

I find the shallower release angle better.

guilliano

I tried some Time Roc Atacs as i also have dodgy knees after riding on Shimano's for 18 months. The pedals don't clog with mud, but I find the cleats do. The clip in is nowhere near as positive or as easy as Shimano. I also found they were quite hard to get out of in a panic....... I'll stick to Shimano