JONG Q- clipless pedals

[Mr. Altagirl]

Originally posted by flykdog
Hey AG, how well do your feet stay on the pedals when you are not clipped in? I'm running flats on the new bike right now but its killing me on the climbs, but on super tech sections it's nice to be free. The other thing is I had gotten so used to clipless that it's hard for me to bunny hop now. I go to pull up and my feet just slip up off the pedal.

Dude, on a nice trail bike like you have, get back to clipless. I use my Shimano DH's with the tension set really low and have no problems. I'm going to be using clipless on the DH bike a lot more this year as well. I wear a cannondale shoe that is half hiking shoe (really agressive soft rubber bottom but a stiff sole for pedaling). I had to cut a good deal out on the bottom around the cleat to ensure I could get in /out without any holdup.

[phUnk]

SuPu doesn't need $120 shoes to ride his clipless pedals. I also doubt he would notice the difference between those and something quite a bit less.

Pu, the shoe's gotta fit, so go into local shops, try shit on till you find something that feels good and doesn't give you sticker shock. Don't get caught up in the mtb mentality that makes non-racing shlubs (such as myself) think they need to spend triple figures on pedals on top of another triple figures for shoes.

Basically, don't let yourself buy the mtb-shoe equivalent of Pilot Rockets for mas $$$.

[Ripzalot]

there are some clipless pedals out there that are one-sided - one side clipless and the other side flat. i have some wellgos (spd) like that. these are great for those trails that have sections that you DON'T want to be clipped-in. trying to negotiate technical rocky sections clipped in can be quite stressful sometimes, and trying to do it without clipping in is even worse.

and i concur with phunk, you don't need expensive shoes. i got the low end specialized shoes on closeout (i think i paid $10!) and they are fine. i still use them for XC with fully clipless pedals.

btw, i'm heading out for a bike ride right now - first one of the new season!