Pedals, to clip or not to clip

bikes`n`guns

Ey up.

Being a newbie to MTB (roadie) I simply had a look at what folk were using at the shop I bought the bike from and decided on flats (Shimano saints).

Whilst they seem to be pretty damn fine using my Shimano MT shoes, I dropped of a muckle table top at Glentress and on landing, my foot slipped and my saddle nose went right up my hole, causing eye bleeding pain and much hilarity for all.

So, whats the best clipless pedals ? (M 545 look good).

What do poeple use for general trail use that would allow easy disengaging in a panic, but still allow decent foot retention?

Chunkers1980

M520s are the best VFM. £16 with cleats.

rockmonkeysc

I always use clips. I'm using Shimano xt at the moment but thinking of trying HT pedals.

FishFish

Shimano saints are very good. The come fitted with spacer washers on the grub screws which provide the grip. If you remove them the screws become longer and give greater grip. Try that before buying clip ins as a suggestion. I use old trainers and they have very stong grip.

bikes`n`guns

The washers are out already, and as I said, they seem to grip pretty well, but they definitely let go on that long drop. (shoes would be a factor I agree)

I use spds on the cross bike (M520) but imagined that a platform with set in spd would be best for trail riding etc no?

bob6397

The only advantage of the platform is that it can (apparently) make it easier to clip in when you are riding along as the pedal doesn't spin as easily.. There is no advantage once you are clipped in - the shoe is often lifted off the platform by the clip or you just don't need to increase your grip on the pedal once you are attached to it - indeed you lose the float from the SPDs which is normally seen as an advantage...

dj58

If I were buying a set of spd's I'd consider these. http://cycle.shimano-eu.com/content/seh ... m8020.html

Ferrals

bob6397 wrote:

The only advantage of the platform is that it can (apparently) make it easier to clip in when you are riding along as the pedal doesn't spin as easily.. There is no advantage once you are clipped in - the shoe is often lifted off the platform by the clip or you just don't need to increase your grip on the pedal once you are attached to it - indeed you lose the float from the SPDs which is normally seen as an advantage...

You can also cycle along unclipped a bit easier, useful if you unclip to dab, corner etc and don't instantly re engage on a technical section.

BloggingFit

Get some SPD pedals and try alternating rides between those and your flats.