EASTIDAHOOUTDOORS.COM 13
Roll
the
Clip!
Flyfishing Tackle
275 A Street • Idaho Falls, Idaho
(208) 524-7160
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If you're a relative novice to mountain-
biking the backcountry, a few questions beg
to be answered. Top of the list: What's up
with those "clip-less" pedals?
According to Snake River Mountain
Bike Club president and Idaho Mountain
Trading (IMT) bike specialist Danny Kelly,
the step up to clip-less is more than a fash-
ion statement.
"They make a huge difference on the
trail," he said. "The biggest thing is you get
power both pushing down and pulling up.
It's a lot more effi cient than just the bare
pedal."
Borrowed from the world of Nordic ski-
ing, a clip-less system has two main parts:
pedals and cleats. That means your stock
pedals and your casual riding shoes will
both have to go. In their place will be what
looks like miniature egg-beaters and spe-
cialized shoes with the cleats positioned
just behind the toes.
In addition to added power for the pedal-
ing stroke, a clip-less setup keeps your feet
securely attached to the bike during bunny
hops and other on-trail maneuvers. (The
bumpy and serpentine terrain of the Kelly
Canyon area makes a perfect case for such
a system.)
Some shoes for clip-less have recessed
cleats, meaning you can walk around in
them with no issues. Some are even mar-
keted as all-around hiking shoes.
If you're shopping, be sure to do so locally
here in eastern Idaho. A perfect fi t is a must,
and you're not going to get that reassurance
at a big-box retailer or online outlet. IMT, for
example, has a full lineup of clip-less pedals
and shoes at a variety of price points.
"Clip-less is more effi cient overall," Kelly
added. "It just takes a little practice turning
in and out of the pedals. Once you get it,
you'll never go back."
