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I managed to buy some clipless shoes by mistake in the black Friday sales... I've only ever ridden flats before, but maybe this is a good nudge to try being attached to my bike.
Give me your cleat and pedal recommendations (for a newbie)!
Only ever ridden CB Mallets - platform if you struggle to clip in, decent float and easy to get in/out of.
Back on flats on all my bikes at the moment though and much preferring it with grippy five tens. May switch back to clipless on the HT, but the FS ebike is way better to ride on flats
Time pedals for years here. Lots of float, great in mud, last FOR EVER.
Give me your cleat and pedal recommendations (for a newbie)!
Shimano M520. End of thread.
Time fan here, so either MX2 or MX4 probably. Both under £40 a set from Merlin currently. https://www.merlincycles.com/pedals-cleats-93743/?brand=time
Or the Nukeproofs from CRC https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/p/nukeproof-horizon-cs-crmo-trail-pedals?color=black&sizeStandard=One+Size
Give me your cleat and pedal recommendations
Start in the summer when you're not going to hit ice round the next corner? 🤣
If you are really good on flats and don't pull up, then, shimano multi release cleats are great with any spd pedal
I've got to the point where i need to go to conventional cleats
advice
DO NOT get a combi pedal, one side flat the other not, absolute dog crap, you need to commit
personally, id grab the Nukeproof CL's that are on sale at wiggle, I'm on DMR v twins, which are big heavy and expensive, but i adore the rotating/floating mechanism to engage with. really like the platform they give, but on my gravel bike just as happy on 520's for the less agro riding...
Shimano M520, they work, they last well and they're cheap enough that you won't mind not using them if clipless isn't for you.
I use the hope gravity pedal with the extra platform pads bolted on it feels pretty similar support under the shoe to a flat pedal.
Obviously note make sure you tighten the cleats and check regularly!
i disagree with people saying m520 carte blanche
if that was my first pedal on my trail bike i'd have given up, they are great pedals. but definitely shouldn't be a first pedal IMHO. if you aren't clipped and going down something rough you're going to have a bad time. And if you are clipped and on super soft flat style shoes.. on a long decent i personally get a hotspot, probably not an issue on other shoes.
i don't know how/what the OP rides or even what shoes he has
First question is what shoes have you purchased? If they're incredibly stiff soled disco slippers then platforms are irrelevant but if they're more flexible skate shoe style shoes then platforms are more useful and necessary IMO.
I ride Mallet's and XT SPD's but never with the same shoes as there are positives and negatives to each system.
Well the shoes purchased (by mistake - expected the flat version) are FIZIK Terra Nanuqs - bought from Bike Inn, so a pain to return to Spain.
In practice if I like clipless I expect to buy other shoes for warm weather and general riding.
I'm currently leaning towards the Crank brothers mallet E on the basis of:
- Feedback here and elsewhere
- This article: https://enduro-mtb.com/en/best-clipless-mtb-pedals/2/
- This video:
- A few other reviews.
Much appreciated – cheers all!
if you aren’t clipped and going down something rough you’re going to have a bad time
Why on earth wouldn't you be clipped in going down something rough? That's a scenario when you definitely do want to be clipped in to stop your foot moving.
If you want a small platform have a look at Shimano ME700, small cage to prevent hotspots and some kind they can find the pedal easier with a bit of a platform.
you'd be unclipped going down something rough as you're a newbie to the whole thing and trying not to die takes priority to trying to reclip when its not a natural thing yet
Interesting points above... I'm not a newbie to biking, and mostly ride my hardtail at the mo, so would anticipate being clipped in for rough stuff.
However, one thing that appeals about the mallet E is that it sounds like you can use them as flat pedals in a pinch for going down to the shops, etc.
Mallet E certainly sounds like a good solid option, I'm only familiar with SPD's and have never tried CB, they would be high on my list for sure
However, one thing that appeals about the mallet E is that it sounds like you can use them as flat pedals in a pinch for going down to the shops, etc.
Yes, not 100% ideal, or particularly comfy, but I've ridden my bikes many times to the pub/shops etc wearing normal trainers
Or get some Velosambas
I'm a big fan of the Mallet's with an enduro style shoe (mod way between XC shoe and DH skate style). The Mallet's are very easy to clip into and out of but you can't accidentally unclip like with SPD's. They are less likely to clog with mud and they provide a good platform for a slightly more flexible shoe. I find that a skate style, fully flat soled shoe can interfere with the pins too much which require you to wind them fully in thus making them pointless. The only major downside I have found is that they require more maintenance than SPD's, I just pack them with grease every few months and live with a bit of bushing play.
FWIW, I have Mallet DH and Mallet E pedals which I run with Shimano ME7 shoes.
The trouble with Mallet E's is that they're bloody expensive.
I don't think you can go wrong with these for 30/40 quid:
Are the mallet E's the ones with the slightly longer spindle? They are not a bad idea for winter boots, especially if you have larger feet. I bought some sq labs spd pedals for winter for the same reason.
I like the shimano xt m8120 I find the little bit of platform helps guider the foot to clip in easier.
Personally I dislike crank bros pedals, the clipping in can be a bit vague, they don't have the reassuring "click" of Shimano pedals.
i disagree with people saying m520 carte blanche
Very much depends on the shoe and type of bike seeing as the OP has bought 'gravel' shoes (basically XC shoes, so I assume you'll be riding an XC and/or gravel type bike?) I'd say M520 makes sense.
If however you want a cheap pedal with bit of a platform just for emergencies, I reckon the M424 is a good option (worth looking for them used), they're about as robust as an M520 with Shimano's older style mechanism, and a floating resin cage.
Of course once you're comfortable with clips, you can move onto M520s, pedals can be changed...
No idea about CB or Time, both have their fans, I was happy enough on Shimano so I stuck...
Why on earth wouldn’t you be clipped in going down something rough? That’s a scenario when you definitely do want to be clipped in to stop your foot moving.
Well in theory, I suppose you wouldn't, but I've been riding SPuDs for thirty years and I still find myself struggling on occasion to re-clip after stopping on a techie section. A complete beginner would find this as well I would imagine.
Riding Godz, YMMV