Pedal Preference?

[velogirl]

Mallets are downhill pedals. Not only are they very heavy (more a concern when you have to carry your bike as you run up hill or over barriers), but they're also really big and have sharp edges (which would hurt when you shoulder or if you hit yourself with a pedal). If you dismount correctly, your left pedal falls right where your spine is when you shoulder the bike -- ouch!

You don't really need a big platform for cyclocross. I would've stayed with the eggbeaters but the candies are pink (and I wanted to add some pink touches to my bike). Silly, I know.

[julypace]

I have been using Shimano SPD pedals on my mountain bike. One of the reasons why I like it is its multi angle release cleats. Some years ago, I was using the single release cleats and hurt my right ankle when I crashed because my right foot did not come off (or I could not let my right foot come off quick enough). Since then I have been using the multi release cleats..

Eggeater pedals look promising as far as shedding mud is concerned but do they have multi release cleats?

velogirl - any thought / advice?

Thanx!

[velogirl]

All the Crank Bros pedals use the same cleat (which is cool). Depending on which side you place the cleat, you have a larger or smaller release angle (off the top of my head I think it's 10 degrees or 20 degrees, but don't quote me). I tried clipping out by turning my ankle in toward the bike the other day (just for kicks) and it was a bit tighter but it worked. So I guess the answer is yes, kinda.

FWIW, I don't think multi-release cleats are that much value. Your situation is pretty rare, JulyPace (not clipping out when crashing resulting in an injury). I've found most times I crash my pedals somehow mysteriously release. Not that I crash all that much. Really, I don't.

[velogirl]

BTW, many of you are referring to pedal preferences for mtn bikes. While you can race a mtn bike in a cross race, I think everyone realizes we're discussing pedal preferences for racing cyclocross, right? The technical demands of pedals are different if you're just trail riding versus racing where you need to dismount, run, mount, etc.

[telegirl]

Wanted to add pink? Ok, confession time.....I finally decided on Candys because I could get a cool color (set off my ORANGE Lemond) .....notwithstanding the fact that I liked the pedals and they looked like they would give me what I need. AND, I am leaning toward a Sidi shoe (the ones I use for Mtn biking just aren't sturdy, yet supple enough for running), and I have decided on Puffs for my Kleenex choice!

Oh, and Velo, the release angles for the Candys are 15 and 20 degrees (wow, for being off the top of your head, you were wicked close)-

Thanks, everyone, for your input! As hubby says, if you can't go fast, you need to look good..... And Velo, if you don't fall a lot, how do you know how fast you can go?? (another one of bikehubby's sayings: You never know how fast you can go until you wreck.... He is just quite the Bike Confucious, I know.)

I was hoping to have everything set up for the races at Glouster this weekend, but it isn't going to happen, so i am off to Bikereg.com to find another race.... Am I too old for this?????

Thanks, everyone!!

[spokewench]

Yes, I use the same pedals for mountain biking as for cyclocross - works just fine i get on and off better than most ????

[velogirl]

Telegirl -- here's a suggestion for the Candy/Sidi combination. Use the little shim under the cleat. Because of the large cut-out on the Sidi's, the Candy cleeat can gouge down into the material on the bottom of the shoe and then it's harder to clip out. I was having troubles and the Crank Bros folks told me to do this -- no more troubles.

BTW, I always say "If you can't be fast, you can be flash." I love white on my road bike -- shoes, gloves, saddle, bar tape, etc. Makes me look (and feel) fast.

Spokewrench -- I think most folks use the same pedal systems for mtn & cross. Makes sense -- you can use the same pair of shoes/cleats. I guess what I was trying to say is that a pedal that you love for mtn biking or trail riding might not cut it for cross racing because of the additional demands of getting on/off the bike and also spending more time with your feet on the ground.

I feel this thread drifting into a conversation about shoes.....anyone want to begin?