Just got a mountain bike! Now what?

[SalsaMTB]

I would go straight to clipless. If you're used to them already, it shouldn't be too tough. You might fall a couple times, but you'll be fine. Just be sure to start on a beginner trail!

The only difference between road and off road with clipless is the amount of time to unclip. Normally on the road you have some time to unclip, you can think about it, for off road though you have more moments where it's just instinct. If you're used to your pedals though and it's intuitive for you to twist your ankle to get out, I don't think you'll have any problems.

[emily_in_nc]

I agree with SalsaMTB. I too had been riding on the road with clipless pedals for years before starting to mountain bike last summer. I started out with clipless on my mtb and did fine with them. I did have a little trouble clipping in on the second foot on rough trails, but after switching from Eggbeater Candies to Speedplay Frogs, I no longer have that problem. There have been a couple of times when I started to fall and *almost* couldn't clip out in time, but I've always managed to. The other falls I've taken were so quick that I couldn't have put a foot down to break my fall even with flat pedals. Clipless will give you a lot more leverage on the climbs, so I wouldn't bother going any other way since you're already used to them; they'll feel second nature to you.

Emily

[TrekJeni]

I'm a roadie too that just ocnverted to MTBing. The BF thought I might want to start out with regular pedals but I insisted we put my Speedplay Frogs on and haven't regretted it.

It was a little harder to unclip than being on the road but it's doable.

Jeni