Clipless Platform Pedals or not

lou_b_83

lou_b_83

New Member
Me and my buddys have stepped up our game and get some good air now. We do up to 8ft drops and stuff like that. We do go to Diablo here and there to. I am in need of some new pedals now. I was thinking of going with Clipless platform style. I am using Shimano 520's now (not platforms). They have done me well. Would going with Shimano 545's or (and more what I am leaning to) Crankbothers Mallet 1 give me more control in the air or help me with control going over the rocky spots??
 
IMO clipless with the platform doesn't make any sense unless you ride your bike in Crocs sometimes and don't want to bother with changing pedals back in forth 😀
 
TIME Atac Z. Best of all worlds IMO.

I was a bit disappointed with the quality of my Shimano 545s AND they weren't very good as flats... not that i took them in the trail without my clipless shoes, but the Time pedals feel much better when cruising around the neighborhood.

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After riding SPD, CC, and Time the past 4 years, I went with ordinary flats two weeks ago and can't say I miss clipping in much. I thought the flats would be difficult to ride through some of the more technical stuff but it wasn't the case. Some rear-end lift is missing but I'm working on scooping the rear rather than lift with the pedals. If your thing is downhill, drops, free-ride stuff, ditch the clipless entirely and focus on refining your technique with flats.
 
monteverest said:
After riding SPD, CC, and Time the past 4 years, I went with ordinary flats two weeks ago and can't say I miss clipping in much. I thought the flats would be difficult to ride through some of the more technical stuff but it wasn't the case. Some rear-end lift is missing but I'm working on scooping the rear rather than lift with the pedals. If your thing is downhill, drops, free-ride stuff, ditch the clipless entirely and focus on refining your technique with flats.
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finally! when am i gonna see the new and improved monteverest?!
 
if you do go with full old school flats - go with 5.10s for shoes. its a world of difference with them vs normal shoe soles.
 
the main purpose of shimano platform spd is to make easier clip in.

and they serve that well... at least with shimano shoes.
 
I do a lot of climbing so I want to stay clipped in. I am just wondering if the platform helps with control of the bike.
 
lou_b_83 said:
I do a lot of climbing so I want to stay clipped in. I am just wondering if the platform helps with control of the bike.
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Platform has nothing to do with a control of a bike as long as you are clipped in. Your leg is fixed on a pedal with clips and shoe might not even touch the platform (of course if that is a nice shoe, like with carbon stuff so it doesn't de-form when you push/pull).
 
ha ha - the new bike is easier to ride so my technique is getting quite sloppy! Real sloppy in fact. Let's try to ride this weekend? I have to get an adapter to transport the bike. Oh, I'm also in terrible shape.

I tried clipless platforms several years ago but didn't like them one bit. The platforms and soles of my spd shoes just didn't interface well. The pedals were actually more difficult to enter and engage. Obviously others have had better experiences -


KingOfCat3 said:
finally! when am i gonna see the new and improved monteverest?!
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i just made the switch to clipless, i have the platform style shimano and find they add nothing for control almost a waste except the fact they do help with my confidence a little more.
 
Here in Sussex County the 545's bounce off the rocks real well and the aluminum platform takes most of the abuse. The clipped in feel gives me more confidence in the rocks and control when I try to get "technical". Whether it is only in my mind, or for real... well I may never know.
 
I'm with Monteverest ... made the switch to platforms and 5.10s with the Stealth soles about a month ago and it's working out well ... definitely need to get used to focusing more on lifting the rear end getting air, but haven't noticed all that much of a difference climbing.
 
The platforms do add something, if you're talking about technical trail riding. I've broken the sole stiffening plate of spd shoes by hucking with regular Shimano SPD's (no platform). The platform does a much better job of spreading the impact over the sole.

As far as riding lift-served DH on them, I've spent the past 5 years riding Time ATAC Z's, Mallets, and plain old flats. I like the Times the best- I can get enough traction on them to ride unclipped in emergency situations, and they hold my feet on the pedals in the rough stuff and in the air.
 
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