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MTBing: SPD or not?

  • 12-01-2014 2:08pm
    #1
    seamus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭


    So crappy weather this morning and went MTBing instead.

    I would consider myself pretty experienced and comfortable with clipless pedals. I commute on them and have done for 6 years now, I use them on the road bike. But the 2/3 times I've gone out on the MTB with M525 pedals, I find myself clipping out as soon as I hit any kind of terrain which is remotely technical or winding, just in case I need to put a foot down. This results in not being entirely connected to the bike, feet popping off over small humps, etc.

    From my BMXing days, I know good flat pedals can stick to proper flat shoes like glue, so I'm wondering if that's the way to go? Obviously the SPDs are great for climbing, but none of the other guys I was out with were using them today, and I felt like I would have been much more confident on the trails without them.
    I don't see myself doing 50k+ MTB trekking days anytime soon, mostly going to ticknock or Ballinastoe and spending and hour or two on the trails.

    So am I better off changing for flats, sticking with the SPDs and getting used to them, or is it a "whatever works for you" scenario?


Comments

  • #2
    C3PO
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,795 ✭✭✭C3PO


    Hope I'm not being rude but this one was given a fairly extensive airing recently here - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=87940919


  • #3
    seamus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    Cheers. So the general consensus is to ride with whatever makes you comfortable. :D

    While I'm riding I'm probably mostly concerned that I'm focussing so much on keeping control that I won't be able to anticipate when to clip out (though I know in my head it'll happen automatically anyway). I'll probably give the flats a go until I get a bit more confidence in how the bike handles on rough terrain before going back to the SPDs.


  • #4
    Micilin Muc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,842 ✭✭✭Micilin Muc


    What about half-in-halfs? One side flat, one side SPDs? Or wide platform SPDs?


  • #5
    Tomred13
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 290 ✭✭Tomred13


    seamus wrote: »
    Cheers. So the general consensus is to ride with whatever makes you comfortable. :D

    While I'm riding I'm probably mostly concerned that I'm focussing so much on keeping control that I won't be able to anticipate when to clip out (though I know in my head it'll happen automatically anyway). I'll probably give the flats a go until I get a bit more confidence in how the bike handles on rough terrain before going back to the SPDs.

    Hi Seamus

    As ya said, use what your most comfortable on, but keep trying the spd's, they take a bit getting used too. try and loosen the tension on the spring so your foot comes out easier, in a loose setting its like being on a flat pedal and ya dont freak out when ya have to disengage, then as you get more confident you can tighten the tension back up. also make sure the saddle is at the right height. on rough terrain spd's are great for flicking the bike about, and you'll climb like a mountain goat. in short, stick at it.. try the trails and take it handy to begin with..
    Dermot


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