New Bike and going Clipless
So after much deliberation I bought a new bike at Christmas, any one who has done this recently may have noticed that the 2009 models are a lot more expensive than the equivalent 2008, so I searched high and low for a 2008 model to get more bike for my money. I decided on a GT Avalanche 2.0, although I had initial concerns of it’s white colour, it actually looks really good and it’s pretty easy to wipe clean after a ride. I’m really happy with it as it rides really well, the hydraulic brakes are a massive improvement on my old cantilevers (no surprise there) and it’s also nice to have front suspension, though I will look to upgrade this at some point as the forks are a little ‘bouncy’ even with my little weight.
The biggest change with my new bike has been going to clipless pedals. I have always ridden with toe clips but after reading lots of websites and seeing a really good deal on some shoes and pedals at a local shop I decided to take the plunge and go clipless.
If you don’t know what clipless pedals are (also known as SPDs), they require a special shoe which has a cleat on the bottom and you actually connect your self to pedals, twisting your foot to remove the foot from the pedal. You can get both road and mountain bike specific pedals, very different in appearance. The point of clipless pedals is to gives you more power (as you can push and pull, rather than just push) and control (easier to lift the bike over obstacles and the feeling of being part of the bike).
The first couple of rides I was a little concerned about unclipping but I practiced clipping and unclipping on my trainer and it hasn’t really been a problem yet, what I have found is how much better it allows you to get to the power to the pedals I would highly recommend making the switch.
Ste
18th March 2009
17:04
I’ve been looking at this GT as a replacement for my Saracen which has pretty much had it. Smashing it against stones and stuff while in the cycle society at uni means its too expensive to repair properly. It’s cheaper to buy a new bike. Anyway, I’m between this one and the Specialised Rockhopper, with some on/off road tyres as well methinks… not decided yet, but probably going to buy it through the cycle to work scheme which will save me a fair few bob. Oh and Jen needs a new bike too. Something pretty reasonable and more of a hybrid. Always up for a ride if you fancy a journey oop north (or vice versa)
Tim Webley (Trev's mate from work)
18th March 2009
18:13
Hi Paul,
I admire your bravery (was gonna use a different word beginning with ‘b’) for going clipless off-road. I used to ride with toe clips all the time as a kid – easy – but in those days bruises would heal in a few days and that’s only if they showed at all. Ah, the good old days. Anyway, got some Crank Bros Egg Beaters after realising that I was losing half the torque available in a single rotation of the crack arm. They look beautifully engineered. I tested them in the kitchen, where there was plenty to hang on to, and luckily I didn’t quite break the cooker door with my head when I went down.
I’ve used them about a dozen times on-road covering over 60 miles and they have become second nature at road junctions. The acid test will be that ‘evasive action’ situation which will enevitablly happen. And (teacher told me not to start a sentence with ‘and’) for now think I’ll switch back to my GMRs and trainers when I go off-road at Birches Valley, Cannock Chase.
Had any near misses on the rough-stuff Paul?
By the way I’ve got myself a helmet now, for use in the kitchen obviously.
Tim.
Paul
18th March 2009
18:25
Have to confess I haven’t done any serious off road yet with the new bike. Just done road, trails, fields, etc. Might put on my flat pedals the first time I do single track but we will see how brave I feel!
Tim Webley (Trev's mate from work)
18th March 2009
20:24
I was determined not to be dictated by the weather and took to the Chase after a week of rain – I can home looking like I’d been pot-holing. Took me hours to get cleaned up. Roads for me until it dries up a bit.
You say your forks are soft – are they air sprung? Mine have got a schrader valve (like on a car tyre) and with a HP pump you can increase the pressure and the rebound.
Paul
19th March 2009
21:26
left side: Coil spring, ride side: Hydraulic speed-lock cartridge. You have to make a compromise at the price of bike I bought and they were the compromise, better than nothing but it will be my first upgrade.
I plan to go down to the chase in the summer, not been down there yet supposed to be ok
trovster
21st March 2009
14:34
The Chase, that thing that is about ten miles away from where I’ve lived for over three years, yeh, only been once when it was pissing down with rain, we were there for 20 minutes, half of which was spent in the car — good times!
What is all this nonsense you’re talking about forks? Mine metal and help in the consumption of food…