Thursday Valley Green Ride
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DannyC21
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« Reply #60 on: April 28, 2008, 08:37:09 AM »
Actually I'll be riding at the Wiss. on Wednesday, and hopefully be joining the group ride there again on Thursday.  In my last post I meant that I'm excited to try out Pennypack for a weekend beginners ride. 

I work out in Wayne and getting to my place, getting my stuff, and then driving out to Pennypack during traffic hour would be rough.  So I won't be at Pennypack on Wed. 
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bonkers
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« Reply #61 on: April 28, 2008, 07:32:24 PM »
Quote from: DannyC21 on April 28, 2008, 08:37:09 AM
Actually I'll be riding at the Wiss. on Wednesday, and hopefully be joining the group ride there again on Thursday.  In my last post I meant that I'm excited to try out Pennypack for a weekend beginners ride. 

I work out in Wayne and getting to my place, getting my stuff, and then driving out to Pennypack during traffic hour would be rough.  So I won't be at Pennypack on Wed. 

Danny, if you're working in Wayne I think you get to Marsh Creek pretty quickly. That's some decent riding out that ways. 
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fishnchips
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« Reply #62 on: May 01, 2008, 10:04:32 AM »
Let me know if any of you are coming tonight. We'll have the regular crew and hopefully Neil's HRC team will join us, so we should end up with a couple of groups going a couple of different paces.

I'll be riding gears!
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« Reply #63 on: May 01, 2008, 11:43:55 AM »
Damn, no SS for Jess!!!!!

I wanted to come out tonight, but I totally forgot that I have a meeting at 6:00 for LaSalle's Young Alumni. 

Hopefully next week.
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DannyC21
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« Reply #64 on: May 01, 2008, 11:57:53 AM »
Yea I'm up in the air for tonight.  My last paper is due tomorrow and I probably should take it seriously so I can ride with some peace-of-mind this summer. 

The weather is awesome today and I hope it holds up.  If it does I will be very tempted to come out.  I'd like to join the group since I'll be getting my first set of clipless this weekend and will be spending all of next week getting use to them. 

If I don't make it out have a great ride.
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fishnchips
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« Reply #65 on: May 01, 2008, 12:11:50 PM »
Dude, you live right here! You can ride down the hill and ride back up again for a great mini workout, and be back for papers in 20 minutes!  Grin

Remind me too, I can show you a great 1.6 mile loop covering most of Demo 1 where you don't even have to hit any hills and you can just do some laps with logs and everything. I have been known to do that when I only have a few minutes and don't have time for a long ride with all the gear.
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« Reply #66 on: May 01, 2008, 12:52:59 PM »
Quote from: fishnchips on May 01, 2008, 12:11:50 PM
Dude, you live right here! You can ride down the hill and ride back up again for a great mini workout, and be back for papers in 20 minutes!  Grin

Remind me too, I can show you a great 1.6 mile loop covering most of Demo 1 where you don't even have to hit any hills and you can just do some laps with logs and everything. I have been known to do that when I only have a few minutes and don't have time for a long ride with all the gear.

I'm envious! Being a slacker with no car means I have to allow at least 30 minutes to ride to Wisssahickon from Center City (and 30 mins return trip too). I guess it's still riding, just not very interesting riding Wink Jess, was it you that had the apartment for rent, a stone's throw from the trails???  Grin
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fishnchips
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« Reply #67 on: May 01, 2008, 01:11:06 PM »
yes, you can move in tomorrow!

I just re-listed it for two people instead of three. so you'd essentially get a half a house to yourself, including utilities...

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/roo/663142642.html
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Kelly
DannyC21
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« Reply #68 on: May 01, 2008, 01:34:29 PM »
You are twisting my arm Jess.  Ok I'll come out for a little while and bail after an hour or so. 

Thanks for making me feel ashamed for almost backing out when I live only a 5 minute ride from the VG parklot.  Honestly, I really appreciate that, ha ha. 

Hope the weather holds! 
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bonkers
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« Reply #69 on: May 01, 2008, 07:39:40 PM »
Quote from: DannyC21 on May 01, 2008, 01:34:29 PM
You are twisting my arm Jess.  Ok I'll come out for a little while and bail after an hour or so. 

Thanks for making me feel ashamed for almost backing out when I live only a 5 minute ride from the VG parklot.  Honestly, I really appreciate that, ha ha. 

Hope the weather holds! 


"Come to the dark side.. hhhoooopaaaahh.."   Grin

OHHH man.. did I see new clipless in your future? nnnnnniiice.. ok, just get accept it in your head now.. "you HAVE to crash".. once you accept it, everything will be A-ok!   
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DannyC21
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« Reply #70 on: May 01, 2008, 09:16:11 PM »
Yes clipless is in my future.  I plan on picking them up tomorrow with a good pair of shoes.  Riding today in the rain officially sealed the deal for me.  It is such a pain to ride with sneakers and flat pedals. 

After I get back from my fiance's mom's bday and supporting my friend in the NJ marathon on Sunday, I plan to spend all day, and then everyday after work for rest of the week, getting used to those things.  Hopefully by Thursday I'll have some hang of them - or riding with you guys will be my trail practice..haha..should be fun. 

I have already faced the fact that I will fall and probably often.
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mtrostle
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« Reply #71 on: May 01, 2008, 11:22:53 PM »
Regarding clipless, we all fail in the beginning. Depending on what style/type of pedals you buy you're going to want to practice in a nice grassy field. It softens the landings. Practice clipping in/out one pedal at a time. Find a log or object that sits a few inches off the groung, pull up parallel to it & rest your unclipped foot on it. With the other foot practice clipping in and out. Reverse your direction along side the object and practice with the other foot.

It takes time but you'll get the hang of it and never look back. A nice little saying to remember, "when in doubt, clip out."

I apologize for the thread hijack...............
« Last Edit: May 02, 2008, 08:09:04 AM by mtrostle » Logged
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bonkers
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« Reply #72 on: May 02, 2008, 07:09:10 AM »
going along with Mtrostle's posting.. don't forget WHICH foot you unclip too..  Smiley
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mtrostle
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« Reply #73 on: May 02, 2008, 08:14:15 AM »
It amazes me how many times I've come across new roadies attempting to learn clipless systems on the road Shocked!!! That is the last place you want to be. I've come across 2 instances where the rider fell because they got hung up, lost their ballance or just got plain confused and fell. The results were either a broken elbow or a nice case of road rash.

IMHO, I think shops should take a few minutes to educate new riders on clipless systems, but what do I know  Huh
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DannyC21
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« Reply #74 on: May 02, 2008, 08:30:23 AM »
Thanks for the advice guys.  I will definitely take it easy learning this system, and I can assure you I will stay off roads and trails for a few days, haha.  I'll probably use mtrostle's advice and stick to grass to soften the landing.  I'll also take my time and ride in circles until I get the feel of getting in an out of them, I figure you can't fall too much if you don't stop pedaling.

A couple of new cuts and bruises won't kill me.   
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Rico
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« Reply #75 on: May 02, 2008, 09:07:18 AM »
It also depends upon what type of pedals you get.  I remember reading tons of posts on mtbr.com about the best "beginner" clipless pedals and there probably isn't a best out there.  It all depends on what you end up liking.  Tons of people will recommend a Crank Bros. pedal and others Shimano, Time, Speedplay, etc.

I just got clipless last summer and went with Shimano MT 520's.  I did this mainly because you can adjust the tension on the pedal to make it easier or harder to clip out of.  The better you get at clipping in and out, you can tighten the tension. 

I know other people who started out on Crank Bros. Candies or Mallets and had no problem either.  It all depends on your own personal preference, but I like the fact that you can adjust the tension on the Shimanos....plus they are not too expensive.

My 2 cents.
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Dmitri
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« Reply #76 on: May 02, 2008, 09:16:00 AM »
I always recommend either Time ATAC or Crank Bro eggbeaters or other such pedals to the new clipless riders.

Here's my reasoning. With "regular" clipless there is a mechanical interface where cleat engages into some sort of "grabbing" mechanism, and it will release under certain angles and such.

In Times and Crank Bro it's a very simple cleat squeezed by a spring. They do release under sufficient tension, even if you do not turn the foot just right. So in the case of a crash, your foot will come out and disengage from the bike long before your ankle or other body parts will get twisted or hurt. Very much like ski bindings, letting go off the skies when you fall.

And they also do have "adjustment", you can swap the cleats left to right to get a quicker easier release vs. more secure harder release.

The only catch with Crank Bro, do not go for the cheapest (there are models as cheap as $30-40) ones, with the body is made out of rough stamped steel. Those are not easy to get in and out of, but any mid-level and up ones, with cast bodys, are butter smooth engagement and release.

dz
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DannyC21
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« Reply #77 on: May 02, 2008, 10:59:12 AM »
Thanks for all the advice guys I really appreciate it.

I am looking into the eggbeaters.  I work up the street from High Roads Cycles and I was talking to someone there about switching to clipless the other day, and the eggbeaters do sound great.  The only problem for me is the price.  I'm on a little tight budget, and since I have to get shoes I can't go too crazy.  I want to make sure I get a really good pair of shoes.

I'm highly considering the Shimano M520's because of the price and because I have heard a lot of good things about them.  They have great reviews on MTBR and even the person at High Roads said she's been using them for 3 years and likes them.  I also figure with all Shimano shoes and pedals on sale at REI starting today, I could probably find some nice stuff there. 

We'll see.
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Chuck U
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« Reply #78 on: May 02, 2008, 11:33:47 AM »
Go for the 520s.   They are a great pedal and will last a LONG time, as will the steel cleats.   Plus they offer a wide range of release tension adjustment that is very easy to play with to find your comfort zone.   And some different cleat options, although I think 99% of users use the stock ones.  The newer design (last 5 years or so) clears mud just as well or better than others, so don't listen to the older reviews on MTBR, because the design is much improved for that.

I have mine tight and always come out of them when I fall off my bike.

IMO, I've seen way too many eggbeaters break....
« Last Edit: May 02, 2008, 01:10:06 PM by Chuck U » Logged
mtrostle
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« Reply #79 on: May 02, 2008, 11:42:56 AM »
Quote from: Chuck U on May 02, 2008, 11:33:47 AM
Go for the 520s.   They are a great pedal and will last a LONG time, as will the steel cleats.   Plus they offer a wide range of adjustment that is very easy to play with to find your comfort zone.   And some different cleat options, although I think 99% of users use the stock ones.  The newer design (last 5 years or so) clears mud just as well or better than others, so don't listen to the older reviews on MTBR, because the design is much improved for that.

I have mine tight and always come out of them when I fall off my bike.

IMO, I've seen way too many eggbeaters break....








I've had mine for 3+ years and they still work well. You can mash them into the ground, slam them into rocks or logs and they still work. Sort of like th Energizer Bunny................
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Chuck U
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« Reply #80 on: May 02, 2008, 11:51:06 AM »
I seem to have worn out my pair of 540s, but have a bunch of 520s on various bikes...some old and they are all still working perfect.

Less is more?
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Lust4singletrack
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« Reply #81 on: May 02, 2008, 12:56:28 PM »
Gotta agree with Chuck on that one. I've seen many eggbeaters break.

All pedals are the same really. A cleat with a spring holding it. I also like shimano cause they have the tension screw that lets you set the force it takes to release them. They make two types of cleats. One is multiple release angles good for beginners, and the other is just one release angle which you will want once you get used to them and the action becomes more intuitive. I've never broken them despite many hard hits against rocks.
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« Reply #82 on: May 02, 2008, 01:34:19 PM »
I heard of eggbeaters break. I rode my smartys (cheap version of candys) for over a year now, with all the rock/ground strikes and extra torque from SSing, still no break.  Wink

I thought Times were indistractable, and then heard of someone break theirs...  Roll Eyes

Pick any. Whichever works. Times are heavier but cheaper. I'm not familiar with shimano pedals to be honest.

dz
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fishnchips
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« Reply #83 on: May 02, 2008, 01:57:16 PM »
Dmitri, can you tell me which models of eggbeates are stamped out and which one are better?

I've broken about 5 pairs; 1 a year, but I've always bought the cheapest and abused them plenty. The latest pair of smarties I bought don't have a grease access port, which I see as a good thing because the old versions you were meant to flush them every few months. I never did and I reckon that is why a couple pairs failed. Without the port means they've cut down on wearable parts and sealed the movement bearing inside.

I've broken two tongs over the years, (the most recent because of Chuck's jinx), but surprised really I haven't broken more. The last pair was relatively new so I wonder if they'll warrenty...

But all that being said, I do like them. They shed everything, they are easy to get into and easy to get out of, they have great clearance, the four sided entry means they are always in the right position, and yes, they are cheap. (at least the cheap ones are cheap).
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« Reply #84 on: May 02, 2008, 02:11:01 PM »
Just look at the larger pictures of the pedals, and look at the body (the "hoops" or "wings") if they are smooth and round, that's cast, if they look like the are more rectangular in the cross-section, that's stamped.
Smarties might not have grease points, but I think it's bad thing, cos now there is more wear, since the moving parts are not lubricated.

The body (or the hoops) into which you clip in, rotate around the spindle ever revolution, and thus without lube create a lot of friction and wear off on the spindle. On my pedals the body wobbles about 1/4"+ on the spindle due to that wear.

here are examples of stamped vs. cast:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/large_image.php?id=10907

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/large_image.php?id=10869
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Chuck U
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« Reply #85 on: May 02, 2008, 02:26:46 PM »
Quote from: fishnchips on May 02, 2008, 01:57:16 PM
......I've broken two tongs over the years, (the most recent because of Chuck's jinx), but surprised really I haven't broken more. ......

That is true, that was my fault completely.    Cheesy

A friend of mine manage to break both of his egg beaters at the same time landing off a 2ft log.  And both broken tongs scratched/stuck in his shins.    Shocked
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Lust4singletrack
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