Thread: flats/clipless on SS 26" mtb

i have a rigid SS 26er with flat pedals and a 32/17 ratio. i am finding it very difficult to navigate rough terrain with this setup so one solution might be to go back to my 18t freewheel. but that would come at the cost of some speed. if i go clipless, i might be able to go 32/16 and still handle the bumps. i also have to buy some stuff with money i don't really oughtn't spend on bike parts right now.

so i guess my question is: how much more fun would i have clipped in over the flats i have now? and how might i go clipless without shelling out a ton of money? some of those cycling shoes are, frankly, outrageously f***ing expensive!

your best bet going clipless is buy some cheap shoes then hope someone has a set of cheap pedals (i think i have some cheap spds you're welcome tol
; need to find them as i just moved) to let go. second best would probably buy a shoe/pedal combo from one of the online stores.

as to the difference, my last ride at city park was with flats on a rigid 29er ss and i'm not too sure i want to repeat the experience.

What size shoe do you wear?

i rode clipless in the '90s when everyone were trying to be xc'ers, but flat pedals have made be a much better rider and im NEVER going back to clipless pedals....
best bet is to make sure your shoes are the right shoe for the job...

i wear about a size 10, give or take half a size depending on how padded the shoe is.

for now, i am going back to 32/18 to "trials" my way up the hills.