Aldo
member
Reged: 21/04/2009
Posts: 174
Loc: Truffle Shuffle?
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Morning Guys,
Just recently took a step backwards (so it seems) and went from 520 SPD's to some rather blingy V12's.
This was after a rather large crash and the SPD tried to rip my ankle from my leg, it was not fun!!!!
I've been out twice on the flats and i'm fighting the urge to chuck them in the bin, i have no grip at all, any small jump and the bike drops away from my feet, they are worse on the climbs etc.etc.
I have ordered a pair of Shimano AM40 shoes http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=31537 to try to combat the problem, the reviews on CRC seem top suggest the grip is great. I'm only riding in trainers at the moment, but my first experience of the famous V12's has not been too great.
Any of you guys on flats find grip hard to come by? It seems i'm running against the grain by claiming V12's offer no grip and almost got lynched for suggesting this to a downhiller last night!
Cheers.
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Sir_Queuesalot
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 05/12/2007
Posts: 5258
Loc: Send more snow!
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I'm told the devil is in the detail and the sticky soles!
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Forum victims and culprits so far...
Typhoo, Prophet_1000, VT1_Doc, pgj79, Rob_Heath, Southboy, Tango, GeekTastic, mashley, Didzy2009, Gorehound, Greeneye, GingerNinja, SLB07
Smoke us some kippers, we'll be back for breakfast!!
My site www.ezerider.com
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Mongoosed
journeyman
Reged: 27/06/2008
Posts: 83
Loc: North East Hants
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I wear Vans trainers with V8 pedals and have load of grip
Only changed to V8s a couple of months ago and improvement over old standard pedals is massive with same shoes
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MTBLeague
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 23/05/2007
Posts: 1641
Loc: Moving again.
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Q is as ever right.
Had tried over the years trainers, walking boots etc if you are lucky you will get a good grip/pedal pin match, however their is no substitute go for the best none of the others come close, CRC's shop yes I was over there was where I first tried them, on a pair of DMR pedals, I was stunned could not move my feet like being clipped in only better. 
Started with these (the older model of):
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=18195
Wore that pair out, now got these, as laces kept coming undone and was sick of soggy heavy boots, got these last week, grip back to unmoving again. 
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=33184
Should have asked the question here first, Only a tenner more, CRC’s reviews can be a bit biased/Black and White. 44 of for the Impact Mid, though one of the ten reviews for your one did say not as sticky as... 
PS Jump with the bike not off it in mid air unless you are very good.
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SLB07
old hand
Reged: 16/08/2008
Posts: 737
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I can't jump for sh1t with my newish flats but for normal descending it helps if you drop your heels and push into the pedal. It's also possible to do this when climbing as well just not to the same extent.
I don't really notice the difference between spds and flats anymore - unless I'm trying to get some air...
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Ben_Saville
addict
Reged: 23/06/2008
Posts: 579
Loc: Leeds
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Quite simply the answer to the question is yes!
Try riding in your 'sunday best' shoes compared to a pair of trainers!!!
Lots of people like to wear skate type shoes, however I find them a bit wide. So can't really recommend a good pair.
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****************************************************
If Life Slows You Down.......
Pedal Harder!!!!
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Felt Compulsion 2 SE 2008 Mint Sauce Ltd Ed
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Aldo
member
Reged: 21/04/2009
Posts: 174
Loc: Truffle Shuffle?
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It was quite an experience being a good 3 foot above the seat, brought a new meaning to the word terror!
Problem was I was too used to jumping with the SPD's on, and its impossible for you to leave the pedals, so my existing reaction/technique was still to yank on the pedals to aid getting the elevation.
half a second later, I realised i'd swapped the pedals 
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MTBLeague
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 23/05/2007
Posts: 1641
Loc: Moving again.
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New techniuque, take it slowly and easy at first, good sticky flat shoes won't hinder going up or down.
Just remeber you are a passenger/guide not an integral part of the bike now.
I have allways preferred the easy bail out option. 
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The path of least resistance is easier to follow............ When you can see it.... .............
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Aldo
member
Reged: 21/04/2009
Posts: 174
Loc: Truffle Shuffle?
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The bail-out option is what has drawn me to the V12's as well MTB.
Ill see what happens when these Shimano's arrive then, and reserve judgement for now.
Might try those terror pins aswell to be sure to stick!!
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The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm.
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fredmundo
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 30/06/2008
Posts: 2628
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I cascade my old trainers into MTB shoes.. they do the hjob well.. normally though I do have to say that any tread from the ball of my foot has noramlly worn before they become my mtb trainers.. The material definately does make a difference in grip.. so does the tread pattern (or lack of, that being good except when you have to push up a muddy hill),new pins, an even getting terror pins (longer ones) then you will find grip increased.
If you want to 'pick up' the bike then drop the ankle of the front foot, raise the ankle of the rear foot and apply pressure. It does tend to rotate he bike a little in the air but once you get hang you can stop that (i can't quite yet but have defintely reduced it).
I'm not sure if that is an 'accepted technique' but it works for me.. but then again I don't realy do huge jumps... I'm lucky if my lardy arse can defy gravity for a few microseconds.
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"Duct tape is like the force: It has a dark side and a light side and it holds the universe together."- Carl Zwanzig
Edited by fredmundo (30/06/2009 14:25)
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Aldo
member
Reged: 21/04/2009
Posts: 174
Loc: Truffle Shuffle?
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Cheers Fred, ill give it a pop.
Come to think of it, anyone know the measurements for the terror pins. They look like M4 x 12 or something of the like, i might be able to nick some grub screws from the workshop before I leave for home if anyone knows!
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The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm.
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MTBLeague
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 23/05/2007
Posts: 1641
Loc: Moving again.
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Nick the grub screws as long as they are longer you get increased grip, but beware, they may chew the soles of whatever you are wearing, it's a fine balance but get it right and woooo hoooooo......
Many problems solved.
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The path of least resistance is easier to follow............ When you can see it.... .............
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brij
enthusiast
Reged: 10/03/2008
Posts: 333
Loc: England
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Personally ive had these for about a year now and theyr'e still amazingingly sticky today as they were then, never had a problem but i've never used spd's either
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=18195
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"Kona Dawg Supreme 06"
www.myspace.com/walkdontwalkuk
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rb2000
old hand
Reged: 25/09/2008
Posts: 784
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to be honest your never going to get the same feeling as you would with spd's, you can only just try and improve the grip. personally i would have just stuck with them, however a stint with flats can improve your riding greatly, you can learn how to do stuff properly, jumping etc.
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Keep it pinned...
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fredmundo
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 30/06/2008
Posts: 2628
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I forgot to say that there is another side to improved grip with terror pins, the holes they punch in your legs if/when you decide to slip off are much worse.. which is real encouragment to stay on them properly.
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"Duct tape is like the force: It has a dark side and a light side and it holds the universe together."- Carl Zwanzig
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Aldo
member
Reged: 21/04/2009
Posts: 174
Loc: Truffle Shuffle?
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My intentions are to go back to the SPD's in a couple of months, I just want the freedom to fall off with the confidence I can bail out until I am good enough to stay on all the way down! (come to think of it, might be longer than a couple of months then!!!)
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The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm.
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sam
enthusiast
Reged: 15/05/2008
Posts: 343
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either use skate shoes or shoes with stealth soles- like of five tens
and if the bike's falling away from you it means you were riding in a bad way because of spd's
just like some people learn to bunnyhop with spd's and that's the wrong way to do it
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2008 kona stinky
2008 kona shonky
2007 saracen aubisque
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Aldo
member
Reged: 21/04/2009
Posts: 174
Loc: Truffle Shuffle?
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Ordered the Shimano AM40's and got them yesterday, wow!!!!
It was like being clipped in again, but with a get out 'clause'
Restored the faith in my flats!! Improved more in 3 hours on flats than in 3 weeks in the SPD's.
Flats until I stop crashing for now then!!
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The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm.
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fredmundo
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 30/06/2008
Posts: 2628
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flats for life!! [/gangsta]
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"Duct tape is like the force: It has a dark side and a light side and it holds the universe together."- Carl Zwanzig
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MTBLeague
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 23/05/2007
Posts: 1641
Loc: Moving again.
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Glad to hear it work out ok for you, crashing never stops, not for me at least.
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The path of least resistance is easier to follow............ When you can see it.... .............
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