Just a few questions :)

[ian westmacott]

Hello guys , i have a couple questions.
Firstly spd's do they make that much of a difference i have some Shimano spd's pedals and a pair of shimano mw80 shoes . Had my first ride on them today...went fairly well a couple of wobbles but all in all not to bad, but didnt feel much, if any faster. Before the spd's i rode with very lightweight running shoes with normal pedals .
Was just wondering if the weight of the pedals and the mw80 shoes would cancel the whole spd benefits out?
Secondly , back tires. I have currently on my Scott scale 40 some Michelin Race'r and they have done really well on the Malvern hills where I train, but now the are huge areas of deep mud and the race'r's aint cutting the mustard. Anybody got any ideas on what tires would be good, and is fitting a pair of the them beneficial or could i just stick a rear on ? As obviously that the one with the power running through it .And what about width , does wide go better through the wet stuff.
Im in training for the mountain mayhem at eastnor and am banging out approx 25 miles a week of hard off-road riding so any answers would be greatfully recieved .

 

[gavroche]

I have been using spd pedals for about 3 weeks now and must admit they don't make me go faster but keep my feet firmly onto the pedals with no fear of my feet sliding off if I stand or accelerate briskly. It also teaches me to use the pedals more efficiently in a round motion. That gives you more power when going uphill.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

mud tyres - spesh storm control are popular as are mud specific bontrager

spds - it's a marmite thing, folk love 'em or hate 'em. I've been loving them since '96. Not sure they make you any faster per se.

 

[defy-one]

Clipless ...... Better feel,more confidence,safer when standing on the pedals,better acceleration.
I love them!

Don't have them on my hybrid ... And it's spoiling my enjoyment of it a little. Have asked Santa for Shimano M540's and some specialized shoes

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Clipless ...... Better feel,more confidence,safer when standing on the pedals,better acceleration.
I love them!

Don't have them on my hybrid ... And it's spoiling my enjoyment of it a little. Have asked Santa for Shimano M540's and some specialized shoes

Have you asked Santa to take a look at the new Click'R PD T400 pedals which look ideal for road going hybrid...

 

[defy-one]

Nice suggestion .... See if Santa will get me some

 

[billflat12]

Hello guys , i have a couple questions.
Firstly spd's do they make that much of a difference i have some Shimano spd's pedals and a pair of shimano mw80 shoes . Had my first ride on them today...went fairly well a couple of wobbles but all in all not to bad, but didnt feel much, if any faster. Before the spd's i rode with very lightweight running shoes with normal pedals .
Was just wondering if the weight of the pedals and the mw80 shoes would cancel the whole spd benefits out?
Secondly , back tires. I have currently on my Scott scale 40 some Michelin Race'r and they have done really well on the Malvern hills where I train, but now the are huge areas of deep mud and the race'r's aint cutting the mustard. Anybody got any ideas on what tires would be good, and is fitting a pair of the them beneficial or could i just stick a rear on ? As obviously that the one with the power running through it .And what about width , does wide go better through the wet stuff.
Im in training for the mountain mayhem at eastnor and am banging out approx 25 miles a week of hard off-road riding so any answers would be greatfully recieved .

spd,s are a personal thing you either get on with them or you dont, I,d say go with whatever you feel comfortable with if you dont gain any advantages, as regards tyre width, narrower tyres will slice through soft mud easier to grip the firmer stuff below but obviously have less grip everywhere else. once ran michelin mud 2,s on a cross bike with good results but mostly ride hardpack on my mtb

 

[VamP]

Hello guys , i have a couple questions.
Firstly spd's do they make that much of a difference i have some Shimano spd's pedals and a pair of shimano mw80 shoes . Had my first ride on them today...went fairly well a couple of wobbles but all in all not to bad, but didnt feel much, if any faster. Before the spd's i rode with very lightweight running shoes with normal pedals .
Was just wondering if the weight of the pedals and the mw80 shoes would cancel the whole spd benefits out?
Secondly , back tires. I have currently on my Scott scale 40 some Michelin Race'r and they have done really well on the Malvern hills where I train, but now the are huge areas of deep mud and the race'r's aint cutting the mustard. Anybody got any ideas on what tires would be good, and is fitting a pair of the them beneficial or could i just stick a rear on ? As obviously that the one with the power running through it .And what about width , does wide go better through the wet stuff.
Im in training for the mountain mayhem at eastnor and am banging out approx 25 miles a week of hard off-road riding so any answers would be greatfully recieved .

If anything you want the grippier tyre at the front. You lose the rear, you slide a little and recover, you lose the front you'll go down - hard.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I go for matching tyres front and rear but fit a wider one up front.

 

[Dave7]

I am taking my SPDs off my MTB and changing to 'normal' type pedals. I have them on my road bike and they are great but (for me) NOT on my MTB. For the type of cycling I do there are just too many occassions when I slow down too quickly and there is no time to un-clip. e.g. ...............
on one route there is a section that quickly changes from flat to steep uphill and has lots of loose stones/gravel........too often the wheel spins and I become virtually stationary while clipped in.
Other instances are when I have to slow right down to negotiate humps & bumps.......too easy to fall.
I'm 65 so it may be easier for younger ones but having twice found out that I no longer 'bounce' they are coming off