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Downhill bikes

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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
Cleats vs. platform pedals

What are the advantages of it? I'm thinking about switching over to it. I'm strictly downhill to, none of that freeride stuff.
Jan 13 2011 3:29PM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
Seriously, those are the greatest things ever. Except they cost $300+
Jan 13 2011 10:25PM
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ChrisSkisChronic
Posts: 1128 - Karma: 230
You can't buy a new spinal cord. Even if you could, there's a good chance it would be more than $300
Jan 13 2011 10:27PM
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captainEMERICA
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 122
This is really silly of you, really silly.
Jan 13 2011 10:49PM
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PeterWojnar
Posts: 3937 - Karma: 678
Never clip in.




Never, EVER clip in.

At least, I don't. I know a few people who do, and a bunch who don't. It's personal preference.
Jan 13 2011 10:57PM
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nskerb
Posts: 228 - Karma: 232
stop being a fucking troll
Jan 13 2011 11:03PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
a quick word on terms used. nobody riding downhill uses clips. they ride clipless. Clips are for vintage road and track bikes, and are still used in keirin occasionally, but never in any other discipline of cycling. clipless/cleats or platforms/flats. clips aren't part of the argument.
Jan 14 2011 1:48AM
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Funnel
Posts: 7815 - Karma: 1,531
For DH only, I have always thought clipless is the best option. If you were going to do any freeride, then obviously platforms are the answer, but for solely DH, clipless is the way to go. You get more out of pedaling, you will be faster, you will feel more in control, and you are with the bike. I don't know why people are tripping about crashes, every crash I've taken with clipless pedals on, I've been totally fine. You just pop right out, similar to ski bindings.
Jan 14 2011 1:49AM
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CabDoctor
Posts: 602 - Karma: 9
^^^ Probably one of the best post in this topic right here ^^^
Jan 14 2011 4:02AM
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KrazyistKarl
Posts: 1725 - Karma: 599
k-rob, thats not an 8000$ bike, assuming its all stock, i have the same one just a diferent year. you are a fucking moron if you dont clip in for road biking. hows your pedeling efficiency and cadence? I ride clipless for xc, i love the control. unfortunately iv never had the chance to ride DH, but when i do, il ride clipless as well cause its what im used to
Jan 14 2011 8:57AM
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mr.k2
Posts: 504 - Karma: 156
platforms. better chance of being able to get off the bike if you crash.
Jan 14 2011 11:05AM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
Like I said, I don't care about the crash part
Jan 14 2011 1:06PM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
Word. On a ton of clipless pedals you can change the force needed to release just like the dibn on bindings
Jan 14 2011 1:12PM
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derpina
Posts: 2186 - Karma: 55
I use clipless, and there have definitely been corners where I wanted to put my foot down/out... that's how I got that massive wound on the 1st page.

On the other hand, I get way more out of pedaling. Instead of just down it's down with one and pulling up with the other. I feel like my legs are stronger and it's easier to go faster.

If you're not worried about the crashing part than I see no reason why you shouldn't switch over? That's really the only negative to them...
Jan 14 2011 1:14PM
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fragglemuffin
Posts: 3312 - Karma: 444
When I rode XC I always wore clipless, but now that I only ride DH, I jumped on the platform train. If I ever get into serious DH racing I'll probably switch back to clipless because I can definitely ride faster with them, but I'd rather be able to drop a foot on a gnarly off camber turn if I'm just riding for fun, so I'm sticking to platforms for now.
Jan 14 2011 1:27PM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
hmm... what about a hella nice pedal and tacky shoe?
Jan 14 2011 9:45PM
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Dwight_Schrute
Posts: 579 - Karma: 18
Clipless is only better when you need maximum eficiency and whatnot, like for long distance road biking. Flats are by far better and more comfortable for basically any mountain biking style, IMO.
Jan 14 2011 10:04PM
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fragglemuffin
Posts: 3312 - Karma: 444
Right now I'm rocking five10 freerider shoes and straitlines which give me probably the closest feeling to being clipped in, without actually riding clipless, but I really miss being able to pull up on my pedal stroke like one can do with clipless. Basically the only positives for clipless in DH is being able to keep your feet on the pedals over super rocky sections, and being able to pull up on the pedals to gain some extra speed on the flats. Honestly though, If you have a good shoe/platform setup like I have, there is no real need for clipless besides personal preference.
Jan 14 2011 10:08PM
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connory998
Posts: 1197 - Karma: 34
i prefer platforms because i like to be able to eject quickly and easily if shit hits the fan and i hate the feeling of being locked in.
Jan 14 2011 10:10PM
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Rbamf
Posts: 792 - Karma: 15
ive raced a lot and  freerided a lot.  here's my take.

FLATS
Pros
-More tricks
-Easier to poke a leg out for balance
-Ability to bail
Cons
-Feet can slip off
-With 5.10's, it can be hard to get the perfect position

CLIPLESS
Pros
-Pedaling efficiency
-Once you're in, you're in exactly the same spot every time
-Control of bike through feet
Cons
-Gnarly crashes
-No no feet tricks
-Not many good shoe options


For racing, clips are where it's at.  If you're just freeriding and out having fun, flats are where it's at.


Jan 14 2011 10:17PM
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k-rob
Posts: 14217 - Karma: 2,891
it was worth $8000 in it's year, it's still worth more than some $4000 aliminium ride. it's not all stock, in fact that only thing keeping it within weight regulations is that water bottle holder. i bought it from a pro for $1500, he really needed the money to go to school...and i don't race so i don't give a fuck about efficiency.
Jan 20 2011 6:26PM
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bryansbryan
Posts: 645 - Karma: 7
clipless (or cleats whatever you call them) because i don't suck when i ride. if you know you're going to fall because of lack of ability or doing tricks, then run with flats.
Jan 20 2011 7:32PM
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the~muffin~man
Posts: 364 - Karma: 76
yeah platforms with 5.10 shoes is what i do
Jan 20 2011 7:40PM
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Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 424
Haha, there's quite a few pro downhillers that aren't quite on your level, apparently. I wish I didn't suck so much so I could clip in!
Jan 20 2011 7:42PM
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bryansbryan
Posts: 645 - Karma: 7
what? you're an idiot. i'm not riding world cup tracks at world cup speed and neither are you or anyone else here so yes, you must suck. reason why the best are the best is because they push themselves to the limit every race. its remarkable they don't fall more often. oh yeah steve peat still rides clipless.
Jan 20 2011 7:46PM
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S.P
Posts: 207 - Karma: 26
It's fun as shit!
Jan 20 2011 7:54PM
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PON3
Posts: 3817 - Karma: 783
use platforms. soo much more easy to bail and if your good enough you can still controll the bike. but what do i know. i ride bmx and use plastic pedals
Jan 20 2011 8:03PM
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tbayskier
Posts: 1137 - Karma: 1,640
DUMMY.  GET LEARNED
Jan 20 2011 8:21PM
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