trying out clipless pedals

jadamson

at the moment my wellgo copy's are not gripping enough for downhills in my local trail (queen Elizabeth park) so i have 2 options either a better pair of flat pedals with bigger spiky bits or clip less pedals. ive talked to my dad about it and he says that he knows a lot of people who don't get on with them and only a few who do. because i am only 16 and therefore haven't got loads of cash i would prefer to try out clip less pedals before i purchase. does anyone know how i would be able to go about this?

stu8975

Borrow some off someone who has got some, you will need correct size shoes as well. Personally i'd stick to flats for downhill (if your used to sticking a leg out when cornering, you will have to unclip/clip back in with spd/clipless), try them on some twisty singletrack before you go downhilling with them.

dave_hill

I'd take your dad's assertion that "only a few" people get on with them with a pinch of salt. If that were the case, Shimano, Crank Bros, Time, and others would hardly have been churning them out in their thousands for the last 20 years or so!

However, they certainly aren't to everyone's tastes and for some types of riding I'd say they're downright unsuitable. For general trail riding and cross-country work, they're invaluable, but I would like to use them for downhill or freeriding! That said, Steve Peat rides clipped in, as do many of the worlds top 4x and BMX riders.

The mistake that many people make is they go into using clipless pedals with a preconceived idea that they won't get on with thim - which means the battle is half-lost to start with. The trick is to start with the spring tension wound right off, and if you go for Shimano SPDs, get multi-release cleats to start with.

The more you use them, the easier it becomes and it eventually becomes second nature - much like riding the bike itself - remember when you couldn't do that?

I've been using SPD pedals virtually since they first appeared in 1989 and to be honest, I've NEVER had an incident where I could hold my hand up and say "I came off because I couldn't get unclipped".

Last piece of advice - DON'T borrow someone elses shoes. Like as not, the cleats will be in completely the wrong place for you which will put your feet in the wrong place on the pedals and put your knees, ankles and hips under all sorts of undesirable pressure.

maximus69

could it not just be your footwear letting you down? dont know what your wearing, but if the soles aren't soft enough to get a decent bite of the pins then that could be the problem.
i used my shimano spd shoes on my flats once. thought they would be ok but were pants.
i use 5 10s but just vans skate shoes if your on a budget.

i found spd `s so easy to use, never had any problems.
its like dave hill said, people shoot them down before they have tried them, convince themselves their rubbish and when they try them game over.

jadamson

i use vans skate shoes on my flats. the thing is i really want them just im 16 and therefore no credit card to get them online (good discounts on shimano on merlin's) ill just have to try extra hard to persuade him... i think my uncle rides clipped in so ill get him to have a word. thank for the advise guys!