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I am getting a mountain bike - as a novice 🙂 - (a cannondale trail sl3). The bike from KMB comes with toecage style grips... I have never ridden with these so any opinions and should I get used to riding without cage for a few months so my style improves the ride with em on so I can benefit from the up - stroke of pedal?
If you think cages are a bad idea for mtb, what's the benefit of clipless over cages and what's a good set of clipless pedals and shoes (about £80 - £100) for both together?
In case it matters I intend to ride in whinlatter and other NW cumbria trails and go mountain bike orienteering - chances are it'll be muddy for 10 months of the year (cos its cumbria) so if that affects your recommendations please explain why.
Thanks
IMHO i think cages are pretty dangerous, seen a couple of people go over side ways cos their foot has got caught up in the cage/straps/pedals.
On the clipless front, Merlin Cycles are(were) doing some Shimano M520 for 19.99 and they are pretty bombproof.
As for shoes, horses for courses really as they are a very personal thing. I have 2 pairs of Specialized BG shoes, a pair for summer and a pair for winter. I think they're good, but again it is a very personal thing.
"Don't skimp on bed or boots, if your not in one your in the other!"
I wouldn't bother with toeclips and straps offroad. SPDs are much better. To begin with, you're better off putting on a pair of decent flat pedals with plenty of grip, until you build up confidence. Something like these:
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This style of pedal offers a lot more effective grip than those used with toeclips. Especially in the wet.
@Grunty: thanks for your opinions 🙂
@Elfin: What are they 'called' - brand name/code - and rough price? SPDs are clipless pedals, right?
^^ +1....
i use toe clips on the fixie, but wouldn't dream of it on my proper bike. if you are not using the toeclips, then they will catch on the ground the whole time.
forget toe clips and spend £20 on a set of flat pedals. you'll learn the basics better with flats than if you were riding clipless/clickies. and i very much doubt you'll notice the difference in power out-put when using flats as opposed to clipless.
these would set you off just fine.....
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=563
ACdc; the ones in the pic are DMR V8 pedals; a style which is very popular. Other brands do their own versions, but essentially the design gives your foot a much more stable and solid platform than the caged pedals where your feet are basically only resting on the cages, which aren't very grippy especially in the wet. The pedals in Alpin's link look almost identical, and I'd say you can't really go wrong with a pair of them, especilly for £12. Available in a range of colours to match your bike too! 😀
A bewildering range here:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=209
SPDs are 'clipless' pedals, yes- they don't have the toe 'clips' (the cage bit). But you do 'clip' in and out.
Confusing? Heh! 😀
Wellgo copy of DMR V8.
[url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=5199 ]Wellgo B-54s[/url]
Like the V8s that elfin posted, but more comfy if you have big/wide feet.
powergrips?
I will probably go for a pair of those wellgo v8s thanks guys!
Or maybe even those B54s cos I have big feet 🙂 something like 12.5 H I think I am o.0
If you going with flats get some decent flat soled shoes. They will grip much better than knobbly soled trainers (like most Merrells). Unfortunately they all look a bit 'special'
Something like the Shimano DX
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Shimano_MP66W_Cycling_Shoes/5360038673/
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or pop into TKMaxx and pick up a pair of skate shoes for a few quid. they usually have lots of [s]freak[/s] big sizes in stock. check for those with the sofest sole.