Mountain Biking 101: Pedals

Many (possibly most) readers of this post are already fairly accomplished road riders.  As such many (again most) are likely using some kind of clipless pedal on their road bikes.  If so, it will seem natural to make the transition to a clipless mountain bike pedal.  However, there is more here than meets a cursory look.

Terminology:  For those of you who are new, take a moment and go down to Today’s Terms for some definitions.  If you’re already familiar with “clipless pedals,” then just keep reading.

A little necessary background:  Most road riders are not as good with their pedals as they think they are.  (Sorry roadies.  It’s the truth.)  Let’s face it; the road is a fairly smooth and forgiving environment.  If a rider doesn’t manage to engage the pedal immediately, it’s usually possible to coast, and fiddle around with it.  Also, on the road, one usually has plenty of advance warning of a dismount, and thus has ample time to plan to clip out.

For these reasons, road riders tend to get a little sloppy.  They don’t practice their pedal disengage or engagements.  Also, road riders tend to favor one foot over the other.

The Mountain Bike Pedal Problem:  On the trail, things have a tendency to come at a rider very quickly.  A misjudged trail obstacle, or an unexpected event, can result in an “unplanned” dismount.  (Which can, if mishandled, lead to a fall!)  Further, it’s not always possible to dismount to the favored side.

To complicate things, it is sometimes necessary for a rider to take a “dab” (see today’s Terms) in order to keep going.  Of course the ideal is to ride smoothly through everything, staying mounted all the time, but the simple fact is, no one can do this!  The ability to get one’s feet (either or both of them) on the ground quickly is essential.  Further, the ability to get back on the pedal fast after a dab is often vital.

With practice, one can master the art of clipping in and out of mountain bike clipless pedals.  But it takes practice.  Lots of practice!

Why the emphasis in speed?  A very good question indeed.  After all, the majority of riders are recreational, and have no intention of engaging in racing, or breakneck speed.  But speed, or quickness, in bike handling is good.  Things tend to happen fast on the trails.  A simple remount, while going up a slight grade, requires getting both feet on the pedals quickly.  Obstacles can be surprising and deceptive.  Bikes don’t always go exactly where we planned to have them go.

So what to do?  If you are new to off-road cycling, the best recommendation is to take it slow and easy.  Have “flats” installed on your bike.  We're referring to flat pedals here (not deflated tires), ones with no toe clips or straps, and not the “clipless” type of pedals either.  Start to learn how to ride on the trail.  Later on you can install a clipless pedal if you wish.  (Likely you will want them.  In the meantime, practice with your road type clipless.  Practice a lot!

If you are a road rider, and you use a road-type clipless pedal system, start by practicing sudden stops and dismounts.  Practice clipping out with the “wrong” foot.  And before you take a mount bike type pedal into the woods, you might want to mount them on your road bike, and practice with them on the road.

Suppose you only have a mountain bike.  Then hit the trails on “flats.”  But take a break from trail riding.  Spend about a month riding on pavement, with your new clipless pedals.  Practice with them.  Practice lots.

Why all the fuss about clipless pedals?  If they are so stinkin’ tricky, why would I want them?  The answer is that, once mastered, clipless pedals increase your efficiency.  They improve your ability to handle the bike.  The whole experience is more fun with them.  But, really, they are not a requirement.  You pick and choose your equipment, and do what is right and best for your particular style of riding and goals.

Today’s Term(s):

Pedal:  The thing your foot rests on and pushes against to make the bike go.

Toe Clip:  Most commonly, an arrangement of a metal or plastic cage and a strap.  The cage, or “clip” holds the strap open so that the rider’s foot may enter and leave.  A clip type pedal allows the rider to pull up as well as pushing down on the pedal.

Clipless Pedal:  A specially designed pedal that does away with the “Toe clip” and strap arrangement.  Clipless pedals lock the rider’s foot securely to the pedal allowing the rider to generate pedaling power all the way around the circular crank stroke.  A clipless pedal is part of a system consisting of the pedal, a special shoe, and a cleat.  The cleat is bolted to the bottom of the shoe.  Using clipless pedals requires practice as the engagement (getting connected to the pedal) and the disengagement freeing the foot from the pedal, require specific and non-intuitive motions of the foot.  One note of confusion is further added by additional terminology.  Cyclists almost universally refer to clipping in and clipping out of their clipless pedals.

Dab:  To put one foot down momentarily.  This is usually done to stabilize in a difficult situation, or when suddenly slowed.

Bail or Bailout:  An unplanned, emergency dismount.  Usually means leaving the bicycle completely.

Singletrack:  Trail just wide enough for one person or bike -- the MTBer's holy grail. Contrast with dual-track

This series, running every Tuesday, is intended to help those who are new to mountain bike riding.  By no means is it an exhaustive treatment, but it is our fond hope that it will help you, the beginner, to begin to enjoy riding your bike off road.

Future Topics:

Preparations

What to carry

Standing and staying loose  

Trail Care & Maintenance

Hydration

Track Stand

Bunny Hop

Wheelie

“Cleaning” the mud

Your next mountain bike  or  Mountain Biking 201