Clips vs flats - a totally different option

S

surftime

Newbie with Hope!
Guys, i know this has been done way too many time, but reading over an old post I just thought I would point out that nobody brings up -- Shimano SH56 cleats.

These things come out right away at the slightest twist or twist and heel up-- and for those liking flats because they think they are safer, you will always get out of SH56 cleats. Usually the flats guys have that as the main point, you have to try these cleats to understand what I mean and to me its now no difference going down a rocky trails with these clips or flats- i will be able to get out every time. On the other hand you can still pull up but it is much easier to pull out of the clip which i imagine would be BAD - but I have jumped in them and was fine. Guys that stand and mash and pull up hard might put out and not like these.

Now on the other hand clips are hurting my knees but thats another thread - just thought I would throw this option in there since you can have all the benefit of good pedaling and not get locked in your clips on a crash or not fall over like an idiot trying to get out during a stop. Night and day difference - newbs to clipless should know about these and they dont
 
Multi-Realease cleats are great for beginners.

However, once you get used to clipless pedals you quickly realize they aren't so great.

As the pedals break in, you will find yourself tightening down on the spring tension to keep from clipping out.
As the cleat wears in, you will find yourself tightening down on the spring tension to keep from clipping out.

The wife and I both used them for a bit....I dumped them early on....I really like to be locked into my pedal. She fought it a little bit when I replaced hers with regular release cleats, but was amazed at how much less she was inadvertly clipping out.
 
While I am admittedly an MTB rookie, I must say the SH56 cleats have been a lifesaver for me. I made the switch to clipless about 5 months ago and it was a rough transition for me. It was probably lack of experience and skill or maybe just my skinny ass bird legs but i had a heck of a time with the 51's. Spent a couple months trying to come to grips with the 51's but just couldn't eject when needed. Spent hours on the street and in the grass clipping in and out but when trail time came I was just a crash looking for a place to happen. I had lost so much confidence that I was avoiding trails I could normally ride in my sleep on my flats. Not willing to just give up on clipless I decided to try the SH56 cleats and the rest is history. For me they just release much smoother and now I can just focus on riding and having fun. I haven't had any problem bouncing out in the rocks or over jumps and can still pull up pretty good when needed. I've probably put about 1000 miles in with them now and until my SH56's give me a good reason to switch I'm sticking with them...
 
to a lesser extent this was my journey also - but I made the switch a bit quicker - still took around 10 falls. I like trying to get up steep technical trails and being able to get out last second. And same as you i am in it for the fun

KTMTOM said:
While I am admittedly an MTB rookie, I must say the SH56 cleats have been a lifesaver for me. I made the switch to clipless about 5 months ago and it was a rough transition for me. It was probably lack of experience and skill or maybe just my skinny ass bird legs but i had a heck of a time with the 51's. Spent a couple months trying to come to grips with the 51's but just couldn't eject when needed. Spent hours on the street and in the grass clipping in and out but when trail time came I was just a crash looking for a place to happen. I had lost so much confidence that I was avoiding trails I could normally ride in my sleep on my flats. Not willing to just give up on clipless I decided to try the SH56 cleats and the rest is history. For me they just release much smoother and now I can just focus on riding and having fun. I haven't had any problem bouncing out in the rocks or over jumps and can still pull up pretty good when needed. I've probably put about 1000 miles in with them now and until my SH56's give me a good reason to switch I'm sticking with them...
Click to expand...
 
I doubt many people use Speedplays. 100% free untensioned float, awesome for the knees. The easiest on the planet to release from.

Unfortunately, I eat the cleats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Cleats will last me about 3 months. Not cost affective so I'm in the market for new pedals. I bought some flats (still in the box) to try out, but still want to get a great clipless.
 
For what its worth I've been happy with my M785 pedals. At first I didn't think the outer cage was doing anything cause it didn't seem as though my shoe was ever touching it but one ride on a set of non caged M520 pedals and I realized I like the outer cage for the extra support plus it sure helps when you stomp down and miss clipping in(yes I still do that). Mud kinda packs in on the M785's but then again Castaic mud sticks to everything...
 
M785's for me too. I have had my current M785's for 4 years and they are still going strong. Cleats as well. Out of curiosity I looked to see which pedals the M785's were (didn't know them by model number) and found a great price on them.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008H5TS2G/?tag=imtbtrails-20

$66.95 delivered!
At that price I had to order a pair for myself.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
mtnbikej said:
Multi-Realease cleats are great for beginners.

However, once you get used to clipless pedals you quickly realize they aren't so great.

As the pedals break in, you will find yourself tightening down on the spring tension to keep from clipping out.
As the cleat wears in, you will find yourself tightening down on the spring tension to keep from clipping out.

The wife and I both used them for a bit....I dumped them early on....I really like to be locked into my pedal. She fought it a little bit when I replaced hers with regular release cleats, but was amazed at how much less she was inadvertly clipping out.
Click to expand...


I remember mtnbikej saying something similar to the above quite some time ago on STR. At the time, I thought he was nuts. I wanted to bail as soon as things got uncomfortable, or I would unclip often on loose or rocky climbs and descents.

Fast forward to today, and I hardly ever unclip. I find it a lot safer to stay attached to the bike.
 
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