Clipless or flat pedals - PLEASE HELP!

Tom_B-S

Hi,

I'm looking to get a new set of pedals for my bike, and I'm unsure whether or not I should go clipless. Almost all of my mountain biking is XC (around Ashton Court/Leigh Woods area of Bristol - if anyone knows where I mean). However, I cycle to my 6th form (about 4 miles away) during week days and don't really want to bring a second pair of shoes to change into.

I've seen a couple of pairs of clipless pedals which have a platform - Shimano M647 and Crank Brothers Mallet 1. I'm aware that these pedals are aimed at downhill/freeride biking (not XC) but they seem to be the only type of pedals with platforms (enabling me to wear my normal trainers to school). I would be grateful if anyone who has either of these pedals (or similar models) could inform me on what they are like to ride with normal shoes. Other suggestions and views also welcome.

Thanks

nicklouse

not a good idea as the cage sticks up.

Get SPD and stick one of the plastic "flats" over the pedal.

like

Tom_B-S

Ok, I think I'll look into that.

Are the plastic 'flats' specially made to fit into the SPD's and do you just clip them in when you want to use them?

Also do you know where you can get them because I can't find them anywhere on the net.

Thanks

RhysD

can you not leave a pair of shoes/trainers at school somewhere? a locker or in a desk or something?

nicklouse

Tom_B-S wrote:

Ok, I think I'll look into that.

Are the plastic 'flats' specially made to fit into the SPD's and do you just clip them in when you want to use them?

Also do you know where you can get them because I can't find them anywhere on the net.

Thanks

as you need them

Or make some.

some !/4 inch checker plate drilled to take a cleat.... and there you are some "flats" when you need them.

craker

Tom_B-S wrote:

I'm looking to get a new set of pedals for my bike,

I guess you've already got pedals, in which case I guess they're flat. Anything wrong with them?

It's a fair investment to go clipless (£20 pedals & £30 shoes at the bottom of the range - Lidl and Aldi do do cheaper stuff though) just to find you don't like it. Most mtbers who ride clipless have learned on road bikes in my experience, since off road is a terrible place to be practising foot removal.

Shimano's bottom of the range spds - m520s - come with big plastic platforms that clip in one side, I keep them on my touring bike for convenience.

I ride Ashton Court on occasion.. it's not terribly hardcore (but it is within walking distance of a city centre.. ) so I wouldn't expect massive benefits from being clipped on. Should you venture into south Wales at any point it gets a bit more up and down; I can't ride Cwmcarn on flatties (how do people get airborne???)

Still the flatty vs clipless debate consumes it's fair share of forum space, don't expect a simple answer.

llamafarmer

These single sided Shimanos aren't bad as a compromise and I used them around Ashton Court for a while, but they soon started to get on my nerves when I couldn't find the cleat side when setting off. Not ideal, but they do let you have both flats and SPD in one.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=756&categoryId=81

I've recently replaced them with some Time Z Contols, which are excellent. The platform gives you something to stand on for those unclipped moments in the woods, but you can't use them with flats.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=416&categoryId=80

I'm sure you know AC is very muddy at the moment, so it's probably not an ideal time to learn to ride SPDs. If you take the plunge, stick with it and be prepared to have some comedy low speed tumbles