Flats
You asking to be convinced? I convinced myself last week when I tried to climb an almost vertical boulder that was almost as tall as me. I hooked my front tire over the top, and failed to follow through with the rear tire since I was scared about pedal strikes. I ejected safely, with my platform pedals and big flat bottomed shoes. I suspect that if I were clipped in, the risk of me landing on my back, smacking the back of my head, would've been much much higher and I wouldn't have made the attempt in the first place.
Corey B
New Member
Been clipped in for 25 years with the first SPD's. Tried flats once in a snowy DH race and almost killed myself. I think it comes down whatever makes you more comfortable.
For sure your feet leave flat pedals quicker than clipess but I've never felt hindered by being clipless and certainly don't think I've ever incurred injury through lack of not unclipping quick enough... I crash a lot too
Horses for courses though.
I've used clipless for decades. Switched to flats about 5 years ago and now see clipless as something for racing.
- safety (e.g. esp falls which aren't sideways, dabbing)
- fit/flexibility of foot placement (e.g. midfoot, toe-out)
- convenience (e.g. shoe selection, (dis)mounting ease)
vs
- being able to manipulate the bike more with the feet (e.g. rear wheel lifts, surges of power output)
- a kind of foot security that promotes commitment (e.g. less slipping, less demand for lower leg armor)
"Keep the rubber side down" is now something I particularly say to clipless riders trying something risky. Flat riders - I expect them to get minor injuries, but am happy that they're confronting their fears.
- safety (e.g. esp falls which aren't sideways, dabbing)
- fit/flexibility of foot placement (e.g. midfoot, toe-out)
- convenience (e.g. shoe selection, (dis)mounting ease)
vs
- being able to manipulate the bike more with the feet (e.g. rear wheel lifts, surges of power output)
- a kind of foot security that promotes commitment (e.g. less slipping, less demand for lower leg armor)
"Keep the rubber side down" is now something I particularly say to clipless riders trying something risky. Flat riders - I expect them to get minor injuries, but am happy that they're confronting their fears.
Hedge Monkey
New Member
I roll with flats.
Genuinely don’t want to be attached to my steed when things go Pete tong LOL..
Genuinely don’t want to be attached to my steed when things go Pete tong LOL..
Flats for me. Use clipless on my Reign, but like being able to quickly remove the foot from the pedal on the heavier Levo.
I started with Flats on the Levo and at present convinced to stay with them with the amount of pedal strikes and with the terrain and my riding style on the bike.
I started with Flats on the Levo and at present convinced to stay with them with the amount of pedal strikes and with the terrain and my riding style on the bike.
I’ve always been into clipless , but I’ve found these nukeproof pedals bring a new confidence and dimension to the ease of use and safety , I have more confidence with them because I know I can unclip even easier and quicker than I did with loose set shimano and If I don’t clip or I fail for some reason Iam still secure to ride even a tough section they are slimmer too so Iam noticing less pedal strikes , it’s like moving to shorter cranks
Paladin
New Member
Love the freedom of flats. Especially on an ebike. Wasn't a believer until I tried them (with the proper shoes). Don't think I'll ever go back to being clipped in, just my personal preference.
Today clipless wasn’t much use when it began to freeze
Any suggestions for “gentle” flats to save my ancient shins , and need some better shoes as I slip off my pathetic plastic pedals in my worn out trainers...
Have fun
Have fun
Proper shoes, designed for flats, do make a big difference as they are super grippy and have stiffer soles. Five Ten Freeriders are a good place to start as they are the most popular flat shoe out there, but lots of good shoes form the usual suspects too:
Five Ten Freerider Shoe | CYCLING SHOES | Evans Cycles
Don't think there is anything really like a gentle flat, but it depends what kind of riding you are doing - this is the gentlest (and cheapest!) proper MTB flat i can think of, purely because it has nylon rather than metal spikes, so i would assume slightly lees chance of taking a chunk out of your leg, and at the price worth a punt?
DMR V6 Flat Pedal | Chain Reaction Cycles
Five Ten Freerider Shoe | CYCLING SHOES | Evans Cycles
Don't think there is anything really like a gentle flat, but it depends what kind of riding you are doing - this is the gentlest (and cheapest!) proper MTB flat i can think of, purely because it has nylon rather than metal spikes, so i would assume slightly lees chance of taking a chunk out of your leg, and at the price worth a punt?
DMR V6 Flat Pedal | Chain Reaction Cycles
I personally only ride flats on MTB's mainly because i am at heart a dirt jumper who has never grown up, and even though i can't really jump like i used to i like being able to take my feet of an throw the bike around. I have Specialised F20's and Nuke Proof Neuron Pedals, and the combo is so grippy that i sometimes think i need a sole with less grip!
idahoskiguy
Member
Was a clipless rider for many many years but switched to flats for the eMtn bikes as flats offer an extra margin of safety.
Hyper
New Member
Out riding yesterday and my buddy came off real bad - for some reason he says his clip on left pedal stuck. Probably because I'm not a great rider I prefer to be able to get my feet on terra firma quick. So flats all the way for me.
Spds all the way, I feel dangerously disconnected on flats. There's only been a couple of times when I've felt like I need flats, once on a very exposed high alpine trail, which was clearly psychological, and once on some very sketchy shore, which was justified.
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