|   Killer pedals (literally) | Freppy
Feb 16, 2002 12:33 PM | | I need advice, or at a minimum, sympathy.
Last year I finally decided to go clipless and asked this forum which pedals I should consider. Since an overwhelming majority of postings pointed me towards Time ATACs, that's what I bought. Well, I think the brand name "Time" is appropriate, because it takes me too much of it to snap out of them when I need to react quickly on my bike. A couple of examples (I don't blame you for laughing):
I once pulled up too hard when trying to clear an obstacle on an incline, and did several perfect backward somersaults down a hill, all the while securely fastened to my bike. So much for automatic release when you crash, like happens with skis.
Another mishap, I was once moving too slowly to maintain my balance, and wasn't able to get my foot down in time to avoid falling sideways onto a good sized cactus. I'm not an idiot...honest! I've been a (mostly) successful MTBer for years. It's just that it seems I have to twist my foot at an unnatural angle and what I consider way too hard to get them to release. After all that, I just want to know....Are they supposed to be that way or could my shoes be a factor in this? Or, are there other brands/types that are generally considered to be easier to snap out of? Thanks in advance. |
| re: Killer pedals (literally)...OK OK...read all of this | Chester
Feb 16, 2002 1:02 PM | | OK.....That was funny....tumbling down the hill without releasing...LOL.....Now if you are serious...read the following four threads that were on this forum recently regarding this very subject.
It will take you about an hour to read all the posts, but you should get some good ideas that will help you avoid some future accidents. I think your pedals are fine....read how you might adjust them to your shoes, etc... Good reading......Chester
http://forums13.consumerreview.com/crforum?14@@.eee2633
http://forums13.consumerreview.com/crforum?14@@.eee2a11
http://forums13.consumerreview.com/crforum?14@@.eee38b3
http://forums13.consumerreview.com/crforum?14@@.eee3dda |
| re: Killer pedals (literally)...OK OK...read all of this | Freppy
Feb 16, 2002 3:17 PM | | Thanks for the links. I read them all and you're right, I found more than enough info. |
| re: Killer pedals (literally) | Phillip
Feb 16, 2002 1:11 PM | | Try SPD type pedals and set them loose. You'll get out quick and easy. |
| Not true.... | fred³
Feb 16, 2002 2:32 PM | | even set at the lowest tension spd's can be hard to get out of if there's some dirt/twig interference or you don't turn your using the proper motion. This is true for all clipless pedals. My problem with spds is that at the lowest setting(if everything was perfect) you might unclip while going over an obstacle. The nicest thing about Times(other than there much better than spd mud clipin/release) is that they don't unclip when you don't want them to and they always clip in and out with the same feel.
He just needs to practice more. Since there is no auto-disengage like ski bindings he needs to make the unclip move automatic. Without thought. Zen like. :-)
fred3 |
| Try Shimano multi release cleats... | Quattro
Feb 17, 2002 2:14 PM | | They enable you to tighten up the pedal more and still allow
you to get out if urgent.I used to use them in winter only.
Now I use all year and tighten up more in the summer. |
| I'm not sure I'd want to use.... | fred³
Feb 18, 2002 5:23 AM | | something that's going to release: 1)in more foot positions as then it would release more when I don't want it to and 2) use a cleat that shimano says not to for those pedals.
fred3 |
| Well | mtc
Feb 17, 2002 3:56 PM | | Man I here this all the time yet people are constantly having this same complaint about Times.
I run Ritcheys Tis(hey thier lihght)in mud and sand and am yet to get stuck "clipped in". I may have stepped in the middle of some wet red clay and wasn't able to clip in right away, but I was still able to pedal and grind the cleat into the pedal, yet it still consistantly releases.
I'm not really doggin Times but as long at Time riders are falling over on group rides I'm sticken with SPD style cleat. |
| Sounds like you're .... | fred³
Feb 18, 2002 5:28 AM | | riding with some folks who don't know how to use them. I do believe that if you were to put various people on Spds and Times and had them practice using them to the point of familiarity you'd find that no group falls more than the other. As for forcing your cleats in if everything is all muddy you stand a much better chance of having something wedging your cleat in place and making it really tough to unclip.
I ran spds for two years and fell over more often than with the Times. Maybe I'm just getting used to clipless.
Everything said and done it's a personal choice.
fred3 |
| Frogs or Eggbeaters | mountainbiker2
Feb 16, 2002 4:46 PM | | I think Times are to hard to get out of too. Try Speedplay frogs or Eggbeaters. I have used both of these, and at this point, I'm leaning toward the Eggbeaters. Both are easy to get out, but the Eggbeaters will be easier to get in. The Speedplay are easy to get in when clean, but when they get dirty forget it. |
| I just took my new Eggbeaters out for a muddy ride | pale rider
Feb 16, 2002 4:50 PM | | They performed brilliantly. Absolutely fantastic. I clipped in and out much more easily than on the ATACs. I definitely recommend the Eggbeaters. |
| I just took my new Eggbeaters out for a muddy ride | ICEAXE
Feb 16, 2002 9:33 PM | | I just got some of those as well--I packed'em full of mud and proceeded to ride--mud? what mud? Awesome! I have nver been more pleased with something that I have gotten for my bike. There are those products that it takes a genius to design, and there are those that leave you saying, damn it! why didn't I think of that?
-Amadeo |
| take up walking instead nm | reebok
Feb 16, 2002 6:08 PM | | nm |
| re: Killer pedals (literally) | ICEAXE
Feb 16, 2002 9:41 PM | | Hmm, that cactus thing doesn't sound pleasant. OK here we go:
First, make sure your cleats are tightened down to your shoe--my room mate had the same problem as you, all he needed to do was give the cleats a genuine snugging.
Second, go out and practice, practice, practice! I've gotten to the point that I do the old heel twist even when I'm not on clippless pedals.
If then you're still disatisfied, a stiffer shoe might help, or get some egg beaters-- they are by far the best pedals I have ever used.
I'm glad there are no cacti where I live.
-ICEAXE |
| I'm not an idiot either, I use PowerGrips | club
Feb 17, 2002 8:45 AM | | invest $20 in a pair of PowerGrips straps, put them on some oldstyle pedals, make sure they adjusted for the specific shoes you wear, try them awhile in technical situations, then tell me they aren't better in every way than the death pedals you're using. PowerGrips make me a better rider. |
| Re: Power Grips | Matno
Feb 17, 2002 12:41 PM | | I agree that Power Grips are great - in the right situations. They are okay for XC riding without technical stuff. They definitely have no problems with releasing. The only problem is that getting back into them is not nearly as easy as a clipless pedal. Even when you are very used to them (I have them on one bike), it takes more effort and is less consistant than simply stepping on a clipless pedal and riding away. Also, I've found that jumping on them is pretty sketchy as well. You just plain don't want to try pulling up on them unless you are going to maintain forward pressure. Otherwise you'll pop right out of them. |
| I never did that with times but I do prefer bebops.... | DeeEight
Feb 17, 2002 9:07 PM | | first they withstand impacts better and being a much smaller pedal, you basically have to whack your shoe into a rock to get near the pedal body. Second they release better than time's IMHO, with less spring pressure to heel twist out. Third the float is a rotational float only, NOT a sideways AND rotating float like Time's. Fourth they're DAMN light (195g/pair for my stainless spindle ones, not counting cleats). Finally fifth, no rider weight limits.
As to Times...
What I did do with a pair of time's was snag a falled young tree that was still very green and fresh, with the skinny end of a brand, right into one of the exposed bars on the underside, and well, it got stuck and I lurched to an abrupt and surprising halt 5 feet later. No big deal really, but I snag enough branches in my wheels, I don't need to do it in my pedals too. Plus all the above mentioned reasons. |
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