New pedals & bike shoes for the Rockhopper Pro

Corey

OverCamping Specialist
When I got my 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro back in July I switched over to some Shimano M324 hybrid pedals (clipless one side, platform the other) a few days later, and also got some Specialized Comp shoes with the cleats.

I really tried to like this combo, but having never ran clipless before I felt it held me back on trails.
I use to ride mountain bikes a lot off road back in the late 80s/early 90s, and never ran clipless back then.
I do not like the feel of being clipped in unless it is strictly on the street getting exercise in my neighborhood.

I was reading up over on mtbr.com about Five Ten bike shoes that use the same Stealth Rubber that they use on their rock climbing shoes, and how the shoes stick to platform pedals almost like being clipped in.
I did my research too on pedals, and I bought what are probably the cream of the crop when it comes to platform pedals.
They are over engineered and you can tear these down in a matter of seconds to rebuild them.
Watch some of the videos they have on their maintenance site.

I ordered up the pedals and shoes, and they arrived yesterday just in time for the weekend.
No rain today, took the opportunity to remove the Shimano M324 clipless/platform pedals for the Straitline platforms.

Nice having a stand to work with, makes it a lot easier to do work like this.
The old pedals have a 6 mm opening on the back of the shank, so I tired using my Park 6 mm allan tool, but the pedals were on to tight.
I broke out the big Park 15 mm pedal wrench and it broke the pedal free with hardly a problem.
Somehow I managed to drag my right forearm over something sharp though when putting on the new pedal.
Maybe one of the studs on the pedal.
Nice 3" long cut that looks like a cat scratched me good.

I used Finish Line Teflon grease that I bought from my LBS yesterweek.
Put a small dab on my index finger and ran it around the threads on both of the pedals.
The night before I used my new Park torque wrench to tighten the studs into the pedals at the recommended 3.5 nm.

Just got back from a ride wearing the new Five Ten Sam Hill bike shoes, and here is my thoughts on them.
1. Should have gone this way in the beginning instead of going clipless.
I have a lot more confidence when riding not being locked in.
2. The pins/studs on the Straitline pedals stick to the new Five Ten Sam Hill 2 shoes like glue.
I have read that some really have to lift up on their feet to release from the pedals, and they are right.
This is a very sticky combo that holds your foot to the pedal.

I did not have a chance to run any trails today, just local neighborhood riding, but my feet stayed firmly planted.
When we get a weekend of some good weather I am heading to Black Diamond to ride the Lake Sayer single track trails to see how this combo works.

I do not think I would switch back to clipless again anytime soon unless I was riding asphalt all the time.

Here are a few pictures from installing the new pedals.

Removing the Shimano M324 pedals.

1.jpg


2.jpg


Putting the grease on the shaft
Note how much bigger these new pedals are over the Shimanos.

3.jpg


New pedal being put on

4.jpg


Grease, does a bike good

5.jpg


Pedals all on ready for a test ride

6.jpg


A few hi res pics from Sick Lines site
CNC machined, very nice.

straitline_pedals20.jpg


straitline_pedals1.jpg


Links:
Strailine pedals
Straitlines video page on maintenance of the pedals
Five Ten Sam Hill 2 bike shoes via Amazon
Finish Line Teflon grease
Review on the pedals from 2008 from Sick Lines
 
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bluedog

Adventurer
Those pedals look very nice, several of my BMX guys use pedals just like that on there bikes.

It's very interesting to me when I hear stories like your's because I feel the exact opposite as you. I need to be clipped in, i'm clipped in on the road, where I spend most of my time, and on the track, where we race every Thursday during the summer. Road, Track, Cross, or MTB I need my clipless pedals.

When I watch guys getting huge air over jumps and on ramps, I wonder how they can stay where they are, It's amazing.

Have fun on your bike.


B
 

Christophe Noel

Expedition Leader
I've been running clipless on my mountain bikes since 1988 when Look introduced their "55 ATB" series. With that....I'm extremely biased to the bennies of clipless.

What I'd toss out there is that hybrid pedals, like many hybrid things, are always a compromise. The "split" systems like your previous Shimanos are really only ideal for commuting. It's just too difficult for even the most skilled rider to flip them at-will on the trail. Even the "clipless platforms" like Crank Brother Mallets are in most people's opinions a bum compromise. They're heavy, they reduce clearance, the platform makes striking the cleat on the clip more complex, etc. If you really want any of the benefits of clipless (which are many) you have to just do it right and go full in with true clipless pedals.

Regarding the pros and cons of platforms: Pros - You can engage the pedal immediately which is ideal if you're a rider who takes your feet on and off the pedals frequently. Cons - Without proper protection, you're eventually going to experience severe injury to your shins. You simply WILL NOT ever deliver maximum pedaling efficiency to the cranks. It's impossible. A quick spin with a Polar, SRM or Quarq power meter would quantify the loss of power and efficiency. There are cons to clipless as well, but for anyone not doing huge hucks, mega drops, extremely technical and fast downhills, the pros exceed the cons.

I think you did right to commit and either go full platform or full clipless. Those hybrid systems are tricky at best.
 

Corey

OverCamping Specialist
For protection I have a set of these on order.
skidad over on mtbr.com got them for him and his son for protection.
SixSixOne Veggie Shin Guards

I may try clipless again the future, a friend of mine likes the Crank Brothers Candy model, but he too may make the switch here soon after seeing my new setup.

I am not young like I use to be, funny how that happens :D
For trail singletrack I just did not like the feeling of being clipped in and falling and maybe breaking something due to not getting unclipped.
When I use to ride a lot of singletrack back in the early 90s I never had a problem with platform pedals getting up steep hills, so these new platforms are just like old times to me, but with the additional grip of the studs and the Five Ten shoes.

I have been watching a lot of the pros on TV who run downhill and single track like up at Whistler, and many have made the switch from clipless back to platforms and Five Ten shoes.

But yes, I may try the Candy pedals some day.
But for right now I am quite happy with this setup.
 

Corey

OverCamping Specialist
Flounder, what are you running now, something like these from Look?
http://centercycle.com/product/look-quartz-carbon-54853-1.htm

I am not closed to trying clipless again in the future.
One thing I did not like about the Shimanos I tried was that you had to flip the pedal to the correct side when you wanted to clip back in.

Plus most mountain bike clipless shoes are not the best shoe for walking in, especially on a trail.
I did not skimp when it came to the clipless shoes I bought in the summer, so I am hanging onto them if I try clipless again later.

Only takes a few minutes to switch out pedals with the right tools.

Those Looks above are not cheap though, I wonder if the Candys are fair enough for off road use?
http://www.crankbrothers.com/candy.php
http://www.crankbrothers.com/candy_sl.php#
They make several models of the candy, but I think the SL link above is the best one for mountain?

candysl_blk.jpg


Or since that has like a platform look to it almost, would the Egg Beater series be better?
http://www.crankbrothers.com/eggbeater_sl.php

eggsl.jpg


eggc_silv.jpg
 

Christophe Noel

Expedition Leader
Flounder, what are you running now, something like these from Look?
I initially used Looks, but like many, I eventually ran Shimanos until the mid 90s and then tired Speedplay, Time, and by about 2003 I was on a variety of different Crank Bro pedals. They all had pros and cons. The Egg Beaters finally just failed too frequently for my liking. Plus, the cleats were far too soft, so after a long time apart, Shimano and I were once again reunited with XTR pedals and I doubt I'll ever use anything else.

The key to a good clipless pedal is the ease of entry. This is actually one of the strong points to egg beaters. You step on that tiny pedal and "click" you're in. No fumbling around. I think the XTRs are equally quick. I teach riding clinics and the people most afraid of their clipless, usually have a hybrid pedal or something like a Egg Beater Candy. That little platform can impede the rider's ability to allow the cleat to naturally find the clip. Sounds weird, but in many cases, the easier (and safer) pedals to use often have the smallest interface. Basically, you step on that tiny pedal and you're in. No bumbling around some funky pseudo platform. This means your shoes have to be nicer, but that's an entirely different discussion.

Much of this has to do with riding style and maybe ability. I just got back from a 3 hour ride. I clipped in at home at 2pm. I unclipped when I returned at 5pm. This over pretty technical terrain. I seldom dab and when the going gets gnarly, I sure as heck want my feet where they belong...on the pedals. I have a skilled butt, however - I prefer my feet to interface with the bike and it's hard to do that with one of them hanging out there like a drunken outrigger.
 

trailsurfer

Explorer
I initially used Looks, but like many, I eventually ran Shimanos until the mid 90s and then tired Speedplay, Time, and by about 2003 I was on a variety of different Crank Bro pedals. They all had pros and cons. The Egg Beaters finally just failed too frequently for my liking. Plus, the cleats were far too soft, so after a long time apart, Shimano and I were once again reunited with XTR pedals and I doubt I'll ever use anything else.

The key to a good clipless pedal is the ease of entry. This is actually one of the strong points to egg beaters. You step on that tiny pedal and "click" you're in. No fumbling around. I think the XTRs are equally quick. I teach riding clinics and the people most afraid of their clipless, usually have a hybrid pedal or something like a Egg Beater Candy. That little platform can impede the rider's ability to allow the cleat to naturally find the clip. Sounds weird, but in many cases, the easier (and safer) pedals to use often have the smallest interface. Basically, you step on that tiny pedal and you're in. No bumbling around some funky pseudo platform. This means your shoes have to be nicer, but that's an entirely different discussion.

Much of this has to do with riding style and maybe ability. I just got back from a 3 hour ride. I clipped in at home at 2pm. I unclipped when I returned at 5pm. This over pretty technical terrain. I seldom dab and when the going gets gnarly, I sure as heck want my feet where they belong...on the pedals. I have a skilled butt, however - I prefer my feet to interface with the bike and it's hard to do that with one of them hanging out there like a drunken outrigger.

I agree with your assessment of the Egg Beater Candy's. I used them exclusively for 4 years, and I was constantly breaking the pedal in one way or another. Early in 2008 I switched to the Shimano XTR's in preparation for the BC Bike Race. I could not afford to have a failure over seven days of racing in the middle of nowhere. And they have worked flawlessly since.

But for Corey, ride what you are comfortable with. Having fun is what riding should be all about.
 

Corey

OverCamping Specialist
The key to a good clipless pedal is the ease of entry. This is actually one of the strong points to egg beaters. You step on that tiny pedal and "click" you're in. No fumbling around. I think the XTRs are equally quick.
Googled those.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/m...09-shimano-xtr-pedals-pd-m970-3481.560.0.html

shim_xtr_pd-m970_pedal.jpg

I never thought of the Candy as almost being a hybrid with the surrounding platform area, but I can see your point there.
It is essentially an Egg Beater with the platform casing around it.
Early in 2008 I switched to the Shimano XTR's in preparation for the BC Bike Race. I could not afford to have a failure over seven days of racing in the middle of nowhere. And they have worked flawlessly since.

But for Corey, ride what you are comfortable with. Having fun is what riding should be all about.
You got that right.
Thanks for the info, I may order up a set of these later to try.
But my style of riding is not racing, it is pure recreational to regain some health, and to explore areas up where I like to camp, and also to ride local singletrack trails in my area.

The cleats I have on my Specialized shoes now for the M324 pedals I take it are the same ones needed for the XTRs?

Added link:
Good review on these.
 
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timh

Explorer
I used to run clipless back in my XC days. Never had much of a problem but still went down clipped in a few times when they wouldn't realease quick enough. Later I got into racing downhill and I will probably never go back to clipless on trails again. For me the benefit of quickly putting a foot down in an unexpexted or even planned slide means everything.

I picked up some used crank bros. platforms with those tapered studs similar to the straitline's. The studs sucked, I replaced them with some all threaded set screws. Now they grip better then anything I have ever ridden, but they will tear shins up like a meat grinder.:steak:

I think you will like your new choice for the flexibility!
 

1speedlos

Observer
I'm using these on both the Wily and my Pugsley, and the Candies on my Cross Check.
I've used clipless off road for the most part since the early 90s, on road since '88. However, I have a BMX background, and used platforms for a lot of DH courses.
Really depends on your comfort level, and how technical your trails are, but I feel a lot fresher at the end of a ride if I'm clipless. Once you get used to a decent set, you might really like them.

Los
 

Corey

OverCamping Specialist
Thanks, I think I will try those XTRs if I can find them cheap.
REI wants two bills for them, going to call my LBS when they open to see if they have them.
I get a discount on everything I buy there since I bought my bike there and a lot of other stuff.
 

Christophe Noel

Expedition Leader
The cleats I have on my Specialized shoes now for the M324 pedals I take it are the same ones needed for the XTRs?

All Shimano cleats are the same so yes, your current cleats would work on XTR pedals, but you'll get another set with those pedals.

By the way, I wasn't suggesting you need to NOT ride clipless. By all means ride what makes you comfortable. I was simply saying there's little wonder why your previous set up was such a bummer. Either rock the flats or ride the real clipless pedals out there. The 'tweeners aren't always great.
 

Corey

OverCamping Specialist
Do not hate me :D
A friend of mine rides daily both trail and in town on his mountain bike.
He has the Candy Xs, the cheapest Candy pedal.
He got his at Universal Cycle since he lives in Oregon.
Same place I got my Straitline pedals from last week.

I could not turn down the price of $45.
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=31707&category=113

31707.jpg


Been reading mixed reviews on them over at mtbr.
Rating of 3.41 of 5
http://www.mtbr.com/cat/drivetrain/Pedal/crank-bros/candy-c/PRD_364109_135crx.aspx

I figure I will give these a go and if I like them enough to stay with clipless, I may order the XTR 970s later on this/next year.

I think those Shimano M324s is what soured me on the deal.

My friend that has the Candy Xs said if they were to break, he would buy them again.
He has ran Shimano before, and had the next ones down from the 970s.

I will still be hanging onto the Straitline pedals I just got though.
This hobby is addicting, and more than likely I will add a 29er to the stable next year, and the Straitlines may go back on the Rockhopper again.
 

Christophe Noel

Expedition Leader
I actually didn't dislike my Candys all that much. However, they have a couple serious downfalls you should be aware of. For starters, if you're an occasional rock smacker (I'm actually quite good at it) then these pedals will eventually meet up with a rock and break. It's possible to break them such that neither side will engage. You go from 4-sided entry to zero entry. And pedaling home on that dinky spindle is not much of an option. The other potential bummer is the cleat. I've crashed hard enough to seriously deform the brass cleat. Enough to have to replace the cleats when I got home. There's also been serious bummers with the bearing durability. Of the guys I know on EBs, almost all of us had to rebuild or replace our pedals once a season due to fried bearings. (keep in mind, we're riding 12+ hours a week, but still...)

Like I said, I didn't dislike them. Outside of a couple funky failures, they weren't too bad. My only other nit-pick with the cleats is how they wear. One thing riders continually combat is an issue called "progressive outward cant." This happens over time as your shoes and pedals fatigue and your foot rolls to the outside edge of your shoe, and then spills over your shoe. The cleat can compound this issue. Egg Beater cleats are soft enough they can begin to allow a rider's foot to cant outwardly enough to cause ankle and knee pain. The fix is easy enough...get new cleats.

All that said, for $45 you scored. Ride 'em like you stole'em.
 

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