Wanna try clipless.....

02bullit · **Posted:** Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:34 pm

Thinking about giving the old clipless a try.
I found some Shimano PD-M540 pedals for 59.99. Would these be good for a beginner? I wanna be able to get out in a hurry just in case. :mrgreen:

Don't want to spend too much if I don't get the hang of it.
Shoes would be required as well. I saw Performance has some Shimano SH-M121 shoes on sale for 29.99.
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Pr ... 0000_20007
Any other recommendations on pedal shoe combos for ~100 or less?

24v · **Posted:** Mon Jun 01, 2009 2:15 pm

I have a set of pd-m520's you can have for free, just have to come get them. I am in Clairemont. They are brand new, never used. They don't have the cleats for the shoes though.

FatPossum · **Posted:** Mon Jun 01, 2009 5:16 pm

I started on some Shimano M545's and loved them until they broke twice..... SPD's are great, but not in the mud. Don't shy away from trying out some CrankBros pedals. They have an easy setting and might be easier to pick up for someone who has not ridden clipless before. Just my 2 cents... :thumbsup:

Which ever way you go, I do reccomend practicing on an easy trail or maybe around the neighborhood first. It takes some getting used to.

Have fun!

FP

mcinvale · **Posted:** Mon Jun 01, 2009 5:25 pm

+2 for crank brothers.

i can loan you some if you wanna test em out, i have plenty.

amor587 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:02 pm

+3 for CrankBros

jonathan_sykes81 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:05 pm

Yeah, Crank Bros are awesome.

amor587 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:12 pm

You also have an unusual extreme high amount of torque behind your legs buddy, so your testamony is no good here :lol:

David-K · **Posted:** Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:15 pm

I've ridden clipless from the beginning. I've contemplated trying some flats in the past, but I just like having the additional control when I'm clipped in.

That's my $1.97 + tax.

wirk242 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 02, 2009 1:50 am

Hey bro.. I got some extra SPD and Crankbros you can try out.... I even got some extra shoes if your an 11.

OffRoadie · **Posted:** Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:22 am

jonathan_sykes81 wrote:

Yeah, Crank Bros are awesome.

Hope Hubs. Crank Bros pedals. Is there anything you don't break?

Ld00d · **Posted:** Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:36 am

i ran the 520s for a while, and while it was nice to be able to set the tension loose so i could get out earlier, they got to a point where i couldn't get them to stay shut when i wanted and open up when i wanted.

then i got some smartys. they can be set to open up earlier for beginners, but even then, it's the angle and not the tension that lets you out which, to me, is key. you can yank up on those suckers and they don't give. the shimanos popped out on me on a waterjump on cobbles several times, and i almost broke my leg when i came down in front of the pedal.

i've had the smartys for about 2 years now i think, and they're starting to get stuck. i probably just need to lube them a bit. i've since put candys on my other two bikes, and i love them. i'll never go back to shimano for pedals. the only negative thing i have to say is, if you hit something on the other side of the pedal, they will disengage. i ran into this problem a couple of times in tunnels.

from what i've read in other forums, the crank bros company is very good about replacing broken stuff.

quaestionis · **Posted:** Tue Jun 02, 2009 8:21 am

I agree with all the Crank Brothers fans.

I started out on Shimano SPD's for about a year and a half and had a very difficult time getting clipped in and out. After switching to CB Acids, its like night and day. I have them set to the 15* setting, which allows me to unclip easier, but I don't think I've ever "slipped" out of them without wanting to.

Canaan · **Posted:** Tue Jun 02, 2009 9:06 am

quaestionis wrote:

I agree with all the Crank Brothers fans.

I started out on Shimano SPD's for about a year and a half and had a very difficult time getting clipped in and out. After switching to CB Acids, its like night and day. I have them set to the 15* setting, which allows me to unclip easier, but I don't think I've ever "slipped" out of them without wanting to.

+ 1, but I run Smarties.

jSatch · **Posted:** Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:07 am

I went from Candys to Mallets. Much easier for me to find the pedal for a couple of strokes going uphill before clipping in. I also found the Candys very slick when wet, and I don't mean that in a good way. Mallets also weigh a lot more, so if you're watching your weight, go Candys (or Smartys), otherwise Mallets (or Acids as a compromise).

The CB's do hold your foot well on the up stroke. In fact I think the butterfly pulls together, ie, clamps tighter. So if you get off balance and need to release your foot on the up stroke, look for a cushy place for you and your bike to land. Conversely, if you hit a rock on the bottom, it compresses the butterfly, loosening it and possibly unclipping.

The good people at CB have a reputation for excellent customer service, which I can vouch for.

Overall I've had much better luck getting in and out of CB pedals more rapidly than my old spd's. It allows for better confidence on a ride. I've heard the new spd's are much better than the old ones. Haven't tried. I'm going the other direction in trying out flats now. Tons of fun.

Dirt Mogul · **Posted:** Tue Jun 02, 2009 12:07 pm

I had good results with the SPD's, hated Attack pedals.

Wanna try clipless.....

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