Pedals

On 18/06/2007 16:16, Peter Clinch said,

Quoted message said:

So it does seem that some shoe/pedal combos might not work.

I think that's it! I've just stuck an ATAC pedal (just one!) on my MTB,
and put a cleat onto my normal Shimano SPD shoes. Riding for 6ft up and
down the kitchen with a few ins and outs seemed OK - a different feel to
SPDs, but certainly not difficult to use at all and I can see it being
easy to get used to.

Then I stuck the cleat back onto the Specialized Tahos, and couldn't get
out again - I had to hop off the bike with my right foot still on the
pedal! I spotted something new when clipping in and out by hand that I
hadn't spotted before because the effect is quite well hidden. There is
a fairly chunky raised ridge on the sole along each side of the cleat
"well". Watching closely at what happens when unclipping, these ridges
clout the wire loops of the ATAC to the extent that to unclip you have
to actually deform the rubber ridges.

Time to get busy with a knife! I will still want to use flats
occasionally, but I reckon there's enough chunkiness in the sole to be
able to leave the cleats in, unlike with the Shimano shoe that skates
all over flat pedals if the cleat is left in.

There might be a ride/injury report at the weekend :-)

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

On 18/06/2007 19:07, Ian Smith said,

Quoted message said:

http://www.astounding.org.uk/ian/temp/DSCN0419.JPG

None of my other ATACs have come with an equivalent bracket, though
they all (three pairs) have mounting holes in the right place to take
the bracket.

That looks like something that's quite easy to bodge from the cage of an
old/cheap pair of rat-trap pedals. The ATAC Aliums also have the holes,
threaded what looks like M3.

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

Simon Brooke said:

in message <[email hidden]>, Moo

(') said:

Mark said:

> Needs some pedals for my new Specialized Stumpjumper Comp, don't like
> SPD's.
What was it about the SPDs that you didn't like?

I don't like being attached to the bike, the kind of terrain I ride I
need to be able to put my foot down where and when required, without
having to think about it or unclip myself, if I can't I'll likely fall
off and break something (likely my bones...)

I understand that they have advantages, but they seem more suited to
terrain that isn't too rough.

That's not what the guys who ride on really rough terrain think. Take
yourself up to the Mountain Bike World Championships at Fort Bill this
autumn, and count how many of the XC bikes have flat pedals on them. You
won't need both hands.

Well, fair play to them, but I don't like being clipped in and a lot of
other people I know don't either.

Simon Brooke said:

in message <[email hidden]>, Moo

(') said:

Mark said:

> Needs some pedals for my new Specialized Stumpjumper Comp, don't like
> SPD's.

What was it about the SPDs that you didn't like?

I don't like being attached to the bike, the kind of terrain I ride I
need to be able to put my foot down where and when required, without
having to think about it or unclip myself, if I can't I'll likely fall
off and break something (likely my bones...)

I understand that they have advantages, but they seem more suited to
terrain that isn't too rough.

That's not what the guys who ride on really rough terrain think. Take
yourself up to the Mountain Bike World Championships at Fort Bill this
autumn, and count how many of the XC bikes have flat pedals on them. You
won't need both hands.

to be fair, they are racing. and hence will want the max speed. the
possible disvantage of not being out to bail out as quickly is likely to
be a very small price to pay.

roger

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I understand that they have advantages, but they seem more suited to
terrain that isn't too rough.

That's not what the guys who ride on really rough terrain think. Take
yourself up to the Mountain Bike World Championships at Fort Bill this
autumn, and count how many of the XC bikes have flat pedals on them. You
won't need both hands.

Well, fair play to them, but I don't like being clipped in and a lot of
other people I know don't either.

A bloke wot trains people to do mtb stuff insists they use flats (i.e.
normal pedals) instead of clipless. It makes bailing out easier.

Once the rider is doing stuff they're happy with, 30% more power and the
secure hold makes clipless great. For learning, flats are definately
better thobut - one less thing to think about and much less likely to fall
off.

Mark wrote on 18/06/2007 23:35 +0100:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> I understand that they have advantages, but they seem more suited to
> terrain that isn't too rough.
That's not what the guys who ride on really rough terrain think. Take
yourself up to the Mountain Bike World Championships at Fort Bill this
autumn, and count how many of the XC bikes have flat pedals on them. You
won't need both hands.

Well, fair play to them, but I don't like being clipped in and a lot of
other people I know don't either.

A bloke wot trains people to do mtb stuff insists they use flats (i.e.
normal pedals) instead of clipless. It makes bailing out easier.

Once the rider is doing stuff they're happy with, 30% more power and the
secure hold makes clipless great. For learning, flats are definately
better thobut - one less thing to think about and much less likely to fall
off.

Depends - I find my feet get bounced off the pedals at times if I am not
clipped in off-road and being clipped to the pedals gives you much more
control over the bike. If I were learning a new technique I might not
clip in while I practice it but generally riding I wouldn't not clip in.

--
Tony

"The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there
is no good evidence either way."
- Bertrand Russell

Tony Raven said the following on 19/06/2007 07:55:

Quoted message said:

Depends - I find my feet get bounced off the pedals at times if I am not
clipped in off-road

Ditto - which is why I really, really wanted to get the ATACs workable
for my MTB (which I think I may now have done)

I clearly remember one particular bit of the MBR trail where I was glad
no-one could see me at the time - both feet bounced off the pedals and I
might possibly have looked a little less than dignified...

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

Paul Boyd usenet.dont.work@plusnet said:

Tony Raven said the following on 19/06/2007 07:55:

Quoted message said:

Depends - I find my feet get bounced off the pedals at times if I am
not clipped in off-road

Ditto - which is why I really, really wanted to get the ATACs workable
for my MTB (which I think I may now have done)

I clearly remember one particular bit of the MBR trail where I was
glad no-one could see me at the time - both feet bounced off the
pedals and I might possibly have looked a little less than
dignified...

I use spds on all my bikes - however if people don't want to use some
kind of clipless pedals then powergrips are quite good. I had them on
one bike for a while and they're quite good. See
<http://www.ekosport.com/pg_benefits.shtml>

Moo said:

the kind of terrain I ride I
need to be able to put my foot down where and when required, without
having to think about it or unclip myself, if I can't I'll likely fall
off and break something (likely my bones...)

Unclipping is easy and does become instinctive. Also, unclipping
keel-overs almost all happen at zero speed, when falling off tends to
hurt one's pride but little else. As opposed to high speed bump riding
when your feet fly off the pedals and upset your balance at speed, where
the scope for a really good accident is /much/ better ;-/

But if you just don't like being attached then that's a pretty good
reason in itself to stick with platforms. It's meant to be fun.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Tony Raven said:

Mark wrote on 18/06/2007 23:35 +0100:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>> I understand that they have advantages, but they seem more suited to
>> terrain that isn't too rough.
> That's not what the guys who ride on really rough terrain think. Take
> yourself up to the Mountain Bike World Championships at Fort Bill this
> autumn, and count how many of the XC bikes have flat pedals on them. You
> won't need both hands.
>
Well, fair play to them, but I don't like being clipped in and a lot of
other people I know don't either.

A bloke wot trains people to do mtb stuff insists they use flats (i.e.
normal pedals) instead of clipless. It makes bailing out easier.

Once the rider is doing stuff they're happy with, 30% more power and the
secure hold makes clipless great. For learning, flats are definately
better thobut - one less thing to think about and much less likely to fall
off.

Depends - I find my feet get bounced off the pedals at times if I am not
clipped in off-road and being clipped to the pedals gives you much more
control over the bike. If I were learning a new technique I might not
clip in while I practice it but generally riding I wouldn't not clip in.

unless your going full on down hill, big flats with decent spikes such
as DMR V8's and such should keep your foot well and truely planted. i
certinaly have no problems with being bounced off.

roger

Roger Merriman wrote on 19/06/2007 09:25 +0100:

Quoted message said:

unless your going full on down hill, big flats with decent spikes such
as DMR V8's and such should keep your foot well and truely planted. i
certinaly have no problems with being bounced off.

Then you're not trying hard enough! ;-)

--
Tony

"The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there
is no good evidence either way."
- Bertrand Russell

Rob Morley said:

In article <[email hidden]>, Roger
Merriman
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Moo said:

Needs some pedals for my new Specialized Stumpjumper Comp, don't like
SPD's.

Any suggestions which I can purchase from UK websites?

Really don't want to spend that much, the bike cost a lot of money!

if you mean don't like clipless? if your going to use it off road then
my fav flats are these
<http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f%5FProductID=2115&f%
5FFullProductVersion=1&f%5FSupersetQRY=C244%7E1&f%5FSortOrderID=1&f%5Fbc
t=c003154c003147c003264m005394>

ITYM
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f%5FProductID=2115
:-)

Quoted message said:

DMR V8 the spikes mean your shoes stick to the pedal in the wettest
weather.

what i use on my mountain bike.

I like them too - having always used toeclips on rattraps I was
surprised how much grip they give.

i've never used toeclips but yes they stick very well to your shoes.

roger

(Roger Merriman) said:

Tony Raven said:

Mark wrote on 18/06/2007 23:35 +0100:

Quoted message said:

>>> I understand that they have advantages, but they seem more suited to
>>> terrain that isn't too rough.
>> That's not what the guys who ride on really rough terrain think. Take
>> yourself up to the Mountain Bike World Championships at Fort Bill this
>> autumn, and count how many of the XC bikes have flat pedals on them. You
>> won't need both hands.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Well, fair play to them, but I don't like being clipped in and a lot of
> other people I know don't either.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

A bloke wot trains people to do mtb stuff insists they use flats (i.e.
normal pedals) instead of clipless. It makes bailing out easier.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Once the rider is doing stuff they're happy with, 30% more power and the
secure hold makes clipless great. For learning, flats are definately
better thobut - one less thing to think about and much less likely to fall
off.

Quoted message said:

Depends - I find my feet get bounced off the pedals at times if I am not
clipped in off-road and being clipped to the pedals gives you much more
control over the bike. If I were learning a new technique I might not
clip in while I practice it but generally riding I wouldn't not clip in.

unless your going full on down hill, big flats with decent spikes such
as DMR V8's and such should keep your foot well and truely planted. i
certinaly have no problems with being bounced off.

roger- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Except that most pro downhillers still use flats. Plus a lot of the
guys who ride northshore also ride flats. SPDs help in pedaling
efficiency, but if you want full control over a bike you need to ride
flats. If folks are getting bounced when riding flats it usually means
they sitting back too much and not putting enough wieght on the
pedals.

Marz said the following on 21/06/2007 17:46:

Quoted message said:

If folks are getting bounced when riding flats it usually means
they sitting back too much and not putting enough wieght on the
pedals.

Nice idea, but my experience is that I could get bounced when standing.
There isn't a lot more weight I could put on the pedals unless I eat
more pies! The Slim Jims with longer spikes have made a big difference
though, but right now I've been "persuaded" to give ATACs another go!

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

Marz said:

(Roger Merriman) said:

Tony Raven said:

Mark wrote on 18/06/2007 23:35 +0100:
>>>> I understand that they have advantages, but they seem more suited to
>>>> terrain that isn't too rough.
>>> That's not what the guys who ride on really rough terrain think.
>>> Take yourself up to the Mountain Bike World Championships at Fort
>>> Bill this autumn, and count how many of the XC bikes have flat
>>> pedals on them. You won't need both hands.

Quoted message said:

>> Well, fair play to them, but I don't like being clipped in and a lot of
>> other people I know don't either.

Quoted message said:

> A bloke wot trains people to do mtb stuff insists they use flats (i.e.
> normal pedals) instead of clipless. It makes bailing out easier.

Quoted message said:

> Once the rider is doing stuff they're happy with, 30% more power and
> the secure hold makes clipless great. For learning, flats are
> definately better thobut - one less thing to think about and much
> less likely to fall off.

Quoted message said:

Depends - I find my feet get bounced off the pedals at times if I am not
clipped in off-road and being clipped to the pedals gives you much more
control over the bike. If I were learning a new technique I might not
clip in while I practice it but generally riding I wouldn't not clip in.

unless your going full on down hill, big flats with decent spikes such
as DMR V8's and such should keep your foot well and truely planted. i
certinaly have no problems with being bounced off.

roger- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Except that most pro downhillers still use flats. Plus a lot of the
guys who ride northshore also ride flats. SPDs help in pedaling
efficiency, but if you want full control over a bike you need to ride
flats. If folks are getting bounced when riding flats it usually means
they sitting back too much and not putting enough wieght on the
pedals.

i suspect a lot depends on ones style of riding. for me i like flats, i
suspect i will go to clipless for on road at some point.

roger