I've dabbled with clipless throughout my extensive *er* 5 months career of MTB'ing (feels like a lifetime of fun though!). I've got a set of Crank Bro's candy c's (stuck them on my road bike), and a set of acids which I use for the MTB. I find them fine for the roads and my canal jaunt to work, but I'm petrified out on the trails and rough stuff. I just can't seem to get out of them quick enough.

I do like the feeling of being attached to the bike, and there's definitely an improvement in power transfer. But whenever I go and play on the trails, I stick my shimano flats on...

I wonder if I need to play around with my cleat position as that seems the only way to adjust clip in/out on the CB's - can't see that it's going to make a huge difference though.... I did 22 miles of freeriding in Clent on Sunday, and I fell off at least 4 times - and I was using flats. Probably as many times again where I would have ended up on my bum if I hadn't been able to get my foot out quick.

How do I get around this? Is all just about practising low speed control, track stands etc?

I've got a set of SPD's lying around somewhere - are they worth trying? Any easier to get out of in a hurry? I don't have cleats for them, so I'll have to get some if I'm going to try them. Just not sure if it'll be any different.

Just stick with flats. Why do you feel the need to use clips off-road?

I've just about tried every set of SPDs on the market.
I tried the Candys. Thought they were quite good. But didn't feel like you were clipped in too well half the time. And yes you have to twist your foot a long way before they would let go which was a pain.

Even though I hate shimano they do seam to be the best. I use the cleats with NO float so it feels like you are bolted to the bike but you can pop out of them really quickly with out too much movement required. Give it a go, I wont be going back to Crankbros again.

I've been using SPDs since the early 90s and there have only been a few times that I've crashed and not come unclipped automatically, although I have to hold my hand up and say that I've had a few "SPD moments" when coming to a stop and not being able to unclip. However you've got to consider that before that I was using pedals with toe-straps so the SPD was a revelation plus I never rode BMX or another other kind of flat pedal except crappy plastic ones or those with the rubber grips and I ride XC (with some trail centres and Welsh mountains thrown in).

I've always used Shimano or Shimano style pedals (tried Ritchey and Xpedo) but for the past 5 years or so I've been back to Shimano exclusively and now have the M647s on both mountainbikes and M540s on my road bike.

M647s



M540s


I dunno if SPDs help any more than flats at slow speeds, to me their main advantages are for climbing and for remaining attached to the bike when riding (which is probably alien to died-in-the-wool officionados of flats).

If you're happy in using flats off road and petrified of using them off road then stick to what you're happy with.

I don't think being scared of something should stop you doing it ;-)!

I'm not entirely comfortable with flats (probably poor technique in there too) - I much prefer the feeling of being clipped in. Just a case of how to learn to use them properly.

I'll have a look for some shimano cleats and give them a try...

yeh i agree i feel a teensy bit uncomfortable on flats mainly because i keep adjusting where my foot is and worrying about that, whereas clipped in takes that worry away

i know its a bit finicky of me but i used clipless for years before converting to flats earlier this year (offroad not on-road)

Try Shimano multi-release pedals(cleats??) never used them but many recommend them.
Personally I find Crank Bros a lot easier to clip in and out of than Shimano.I've just switched to Time due to poor longevity of CBs pedals but can't give an opinion as I haven't ridden them yet.

I love my eggbeaters Ive yet to have any problems with them, but i believe that the new versions solve most of the problems that some people have.

i like them as they have 4 side entry, easy to get in and out, lots of float, clear mud like its not there and simple to service as well as being stupidly light.

I do give them a re grease every now and then to keep them in tiptop order.

If i wanted a peddle that was bomb proof and didn't need touching ever i would get shimano M520's

Why do you go back to flats?

Think I may head for the grassy park and practice getting in and out while deliberately falling...

Cus flats where it's at

Aiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

Or for people who like to whimp out when the going get too tuff?

Very true that, having the option to bail if it goes wrong adds a margin of reduced risk and boosts confidence when riding on the limits of ones skill base.

This could be anything from threading your way along a narrow canal path when first getting into MTB's or in my case some of the Leogang woodwork, roots and rocks on a damp day

And anyways how are you going to pull off that superman seat grab with SPD's on hey

Small confesion thats is exactly what happened to me this year, Couldn't ride my spds for the rest of the trip as I pulled a lot of mussels so couldn't clip out so flats the last 6 days,
Just as well I ride both regualy.

I have returned to flats on my full suss now. I tried some V12's and the grip they had with just normal trainers was unbelievable.

So I have bought some Shimano MP90 flat shoes, with some V12's and the grip is even better.

Will still stick to the eggbeaters on my singlespeeds though

Props for riding anything at Leogang on SPD's at all