to clip or not to clip...

[crashnburn'd]

I hurt my heel this weekend and it got me thinking again about using clipless pedals for dh. I know this is a pretty heavily debated topic, but I'd like to here from people here because typically they're a little more insightful. So here's basically what I'm thinking.

Pros:
-I have more bike control clipped in
-I jump better do to above comment
-I can wear shoes with harder soles and maybe avoid smashing my heels and feet.
-I would be riding clipless for 90% of the riding I do, rather than 50%
-Feet stay on pedals regardless

Cons:
- I tend to take my feet off the pedals in off camber, rooty, or wet turny sections or on really fast, flat corners. Although limiting this may actually be a pro.
-Need to buy another set of pedals and shoes (probably shouldn't even be listed)
-Not comfortable on bridges clipped in (only a problem at one place I ride)
-Feet may stay on when I crash

I've always ridden Eggbeaters on my other bikes. If I do go the clipless route, should I switch to something that I can adjust? Any shoe suggestions?

[Andy_B]

For the past 3 years I have run clips on my DH Bike.

I use to pull me feet of all the time in off camber sections, wet turns and high-speed flat turns. It took a good couple of weeks to get use to them, and learning to trust my bike, that in-fact it would turn track just fine on the off camber sections with both feet on the pedals. I became much a faster rider in the rocky sections do to not having to be constantly readjusting my feet. In-fact after about a month of being on them I started to turn the cranks when ever I could, in the rocks and roots.

I still will pull a hoof on a high speed flat, and every once in a great while in the mud. But trust your rig, it will pull you through.

Shoes I just use my Specialized Pro Carbon's. Pedals I used a pair of Time Z's.

[flowtron]

I ride clips for racing or when I'm taking my DH bike on longer/pedally rides like porc rim or something. Flats for jumping/bridges/anything freeride session-y.
I dig them for racing b/c its a whole lot less to think about, I can react faster and pull over things, much better pedalling, and I can be light on the bike through chop w/out worrying about my feet blowing off.
I generally like to stay clipped as much as possible, but if i do need to tripod through/over something I can get out fast enough, though sometimes getting back in can be a scary bitch for a few seconds.
I've only ridden Shimano pedals, since their lack of float seems a bit more predictable for popping out when nec., plus they are rather ubiquotous (sp?) so if I blow one up theres usually something to throw on to get through a rce weekend.

[reidhresko]

I don't know, man. I dh'ed for three years with clipless and would have listed the exact same pro's that you did. I then started dropping bigger stuff and went to platforms. i switched over after hitting my first 15+ drop. due to where the clips are located in the bottom of the shoes i was wearing, when i impacted(smoothly) not enough of my foot was over the pedal since the clips are under the ball of the foot. If you keep the bike on the ground or want to go fast as hell (or are a pro) clipless is the way to go. that said, i will never run a clipless set of pedals on my dh bikes again, except for something ultra pedally like a porcupine rim or whatnot. as fast as you think you can ditch a bike clipped in, you simply do it faster on platforms. if you are riding lots of skinnys or super hairball shit, or drops, the faster you can ditch the bike the better. also, i felt like i could jump the bike better with clipless, but after a few weeks, you readjust, learn to use you arms, gain better handling skills, and step it up. riding platforms for fours years now has definitely made me a better, more confident rider. go with flats and step it up...

[bagtagley]

flowtron pretty much summed it up for me.

I rode flats yesterday at Bountiful in anticipation of doing Bruce (which has some gappers). I was really wishing I was clipped in most of the day.

On ladders or DJs, flats no doubt, otherwise, I'm clipped in.

[funkendrenchman]

Flats and Fiveten Impacts give you the same grip as clipless, granted you can't pull up like you can with clipless.

[crashnburn'd]

Most everything that I ride is rocky or rooty or both. So, it would be nice to not have to try to shuffle my feet. Also, being realistic, I'm not someone who'll ever go much bigger than 10 ft, so I'm not sure that the drop thing would be a big deal for me.

[skiguide]

Ok, so I'm very much a beginner rider - but leaning/going towards primarily DH riding....

Right now, I'm riding Mallet C's - platform pedals with eggbeaters in 'em -
with Shimano (MT50G model #) shoes - reasonably stiff.

I like the clipless when I'm climbing, because I still suck at that.
(and despite some issues I had with the new shoes/cleats this weekend clipping/in out quickly is more a function of me getting used to it/and the shoes getting worn down a bit to do it smoothly.)

But the combo also works for me because i can clip out and ride them like platforms a bit (though it's not quite as stable, since you're standing on the eggbeater) for more techy DH sections that I'm not sure if I'll make or not, so I like the ability to put a foot down easily when i'm trying stuff out of the comfort zone. though in most cases, it seems clipping in on those sections would offer me more control.

I'll probably opt for straight platforms when i get a true DH bike, but I'm also probably going to get the Addidas Hematoma shoe, which is super stiff and offers serious protection, and can still mount the clips on if necessary and you want the ability to switch easily.

Atom Labs has a kick ass pedal that can do both - platform/clips - but it's pricey. The AGs have had experience with those i think - so they're the ones to ask about those.

[crashnburn'd]

I guess really what I'm looking for is some sort of reason not to go clipless, which I really can't come up with. I have enough crap that I should probably just try it and see what I think.

What companies other than Shimano make a BMX style that's still somewhat stiff? I'd want something with more of a flat sole. I have some Specialized Comp somthing or others for XC and I know I wouldn't like them for DH.

skiguide - I have Mallet C's on one of my bikes and they get much easier to get in/out of once they break in. My only concern with that kind of pedal for DH is that there is no adjustability, although I'm not sure if it's really needed because most likely I'd have them set very tight anyways. A friend of mine has the Atom Lab pedals and aside from them looking cool, I really wasn't all that impressed, especially for the price.

[bagtagley]

I hated the eggbeaters, though never tried the Mallets. I had the Time platform pedals, and really didn't like them. I, hesitantly, tried the Shimano platform clipless pedals, and I've been running them for 3 years. I dig 'em.

BTW, with the exception of ladders and DJs, getting off and away from the bike has never been a problem for me.

[skiguide]

yep, crash - I think i had heard some similiar comments about the AtomLabs pedals...too much $$ for what they actually do.

661 makes some BMX/skate style shoes that are SPD compatible - i know yentna just got some from pricepoint, and they are fairly stiff, but I wouldn't say they are the stiffest you can get - but that's only because I don't know what else is out there equal in stiffness/protection to the hematoma. yea, it's not the most stylie shoe - but they are probably the most protective.

[Dromond]

Clips: xc, downhill, everything in between
flats: DJ, street (bmx basically)

I've been riding like this for 3 years without problems. I think I might give flats another shot for downhill, just for kicks. I predict that I will still definitely ride better when clipped in.

[Particle]

Echoing what most others have said - I'm really happy with my current setup...running clips for DH (Deer Valley lift sessions), XC, and everything in between - and flats for DJ's or skinnies. Clipless is just so much more efficient, even downhill.

As far as shoes w/ a flattish sole, check out Oakley's clipless shoe. I've got a pair of the Radar Locks and love them. Narrow enough for my foot, comfortable, stiff-soled but not so stiff you can't walk in them.

http://oakley.com/o/o2118d

[yentna]

I pretty much ride everything with clips. Even super sketchy stuff, just 'cause I feel more in control. Just my $0.02.

I've ride with the shimano PD-M545 on my DH bike (prolly going to switch to the 647, better quality same design), where it has the clip and then a platform around it.

http://bike.shimano.com/catalog/cycl...=1147126613760

I love that they are adjustable, to make clipping in and out easier or harder depending on the terrain. Anything too sketchy, I'll clip out and ride them like platforms, then clip right back in. I'm a much more confident rider clipped in, and have ridden some of my gnarliest lines when clipped. I find that if I'm falling, I'll unclip automatically in midair (especially when the resistance is set lower), and usually land separately from my bike. Bailing made easy.

[Arty50]

I love my 647s. The release is very consistent and I've never gotten stuck in them. In fact, I have them set to the 2nd lowest setting and I'm really happy there. Great pedals.

As for shoes, I had a pair of Shimano MT50Gs that fit super well and were very burly. However, when they get wet they take forever to dry. Nubuck sucks.

On lph's recommendation, I bought a pair of Specialized Sawpits. The fit isn't quite the same (a bit wide for my narrowish feet) as my Shimanos, but they seem to be bomber. Plus I got them 50% off since they discontinued them last year. Specialized has a bunch in stock still, so ask your dealer if you can get a deal on them. Mine were only $75. They used to sell for $150.