Some thoughts about clipless pedals from the Trout: avoid buying elastomer clipless pedals because their entry and exit reliability degrade quickly from normal usage, riding clipless enhances pseudo - bunnyhop techniques adopted from bmx for negotiating logs and rock gardens... if your cleats are not properly installed on your shoes they can make it hard to enter and exit clipless pedals... clipless is best suited to aggressive/extreme riders who rarely dismount their steeds and are willing to shoulder the increased risk of injury associated with the decreased reaction time available to shed the bike in hi speed spills... don't let anyone mislead you into believing that in a downhill crash, he can escape getting wrapped around the axel as quickly as a rider with cage pedals, it just hasn't happened to them yet and denial faces a rude awakening in the orthopedic ward...just make sure you are comfortable with the trade offs... some riders prefer the combo cage/clipless pedals so they can unclip and ride footloose on the rocky rutted hi speed downhill runs...there is nothing more humbling for the extreme wannabe than having their arms and legs pinned back together... disregard this tirade if you stay out of the rock gardens and off the 1000+ ft fall lines...but remember discretion is the better part of being able to ride hard today! |
