[Closed] after 15+ years of MTB i'm ready to give up clipless for good

great.

lifes about choices. i was going to do xc races on flats but stopped competing anyway 8yrs ago.
i never liked feeling bolted to the bike 🙂

jedi - your quite right, it's all a choice, and none of what we do is the 'correct way' and none of it matter not a jot! (as long as your having fun)

...despite what many people post (which is why i rarely do, but enjoy reading)

Not really sure why you felt the need to share this but good for you. Go for it.

some people just don't get on or feel natural riding them, I've been riding spd's since 1993 and would not ride without them, I've tried riding flats but i just feel as much part of the bike. I have a mate however who seems to be struggling with riding (mostly confidence) who currently rides clipped in and i think I'm going to suggest he tries flats. If he stays on them great because It's about what's best for him. For xc spd's are MUCH faster, but if you keep falling off or are not enjoying it, what use is that?!

I rode two crc marathons and the Kielder 100 on flats last year.

I got round the Selkirk in 4.5hours so It is possible to ride fast on flats.

Going to try spds again* next year. Everybody says you should ride spds as soon as you start biking. There's a lot to be said for flats, expecially if you have no desire to race.

Rode them for a few years before having a go on flats and never going back.

Who says you should ride spds as soon as you start riding? I would have though that they are something that one would progress to once the rider has the confidence and ability to use them?

Five tens and flats = spds pretty much...

Aren't you missing out on half of the possible power in your peddle stroke by using flats? Sure there is a good chance you'll be quicker on technical downhills, guess you pays your money and make your choice.

Ignore this one!

As Jedi said...choices.

The main advantage I find with my atacs is the extra stiffness from 'proper' cycling shoes, combined with the fact that I can have a shoe that grips the pedal and and soft surface equally well. Also have not yet seen insulated gore tex flat shoes!

For what it's worth, I use both flats and clips but for different types of riding, same as I use different bikes for different things.

Who says you should ride spds as soon as you start riding? I would have though that they are something that one would progress to once the rider has the confidence and ability to use them?

Who says that?? All I hear is "learn on flats, get the skills" and then move to clips to go fast.

I've never really ridden flats but have some mallets which definitely help. I'll probably get some next year but only for fun.

I would be the first to admit that I actually can't ride without being clipped in. I spent a day shuttling in Canada at Easter (when trapped by the infamous 'Ash Cloud') and had to ride flats. I hated it as I felt I was going to get shaken off the bike all the time. I was just waiting for a big stack. I called it a day before the stack arrived. Maybe I'm just a fanny, but I just can't do it...

Love my Look 4x4s - easy to get into and out off and I have loads of confidence about coming out of them if I fall.

trouble is they don't make them any more - but Crank are advertising new internals for this years eggbeaters, so maybe they are worth a look.

Fair enough. I think clipless pedal are probably the last 'development' I would give up...

Although if I had to go back to using early 90's Shimano or Onza H.O I would probably change my mind

Aren't you missing out on half of the possible power in your peddle stroke by using flats? Sure there is a good chance you'll be quicker on technical downhills, guess you pays your money and make your choice.

No where near half, they may not be as efficient for climbing, but anything I got up clipped in I've got up in flats. Just adapted your pedaling.

I've never really ridden flats but have some mallets which definitely help.

To be honest, they feel nothing like them. I used to ride Mallets before moving to flats. Never moved back, just prefer them is all. I actually like the sensation of my feet 'dancing' about on the pedals when descending. Different strokes for different folks and all that...

I grip the 'bars with my fingers.
I'm unable to grip the pedals with my toes, so I ride clipless.
Suts me, doesn't suit everyone.

This is devastating news. The sport may not survive if you change over.

Please reconsider. Think of the children.

Funny isn't it - we are all different - being clipped in (Apart from the raod) does my head in 🙂

a couple of years ago i fell off and stayed cliped in

Ive never, ever had that happen

Don't forget to come back and tell us all about the next big thing...

I made the change to flats in the spring. Finally got used to them and started to prefer them (once I learned I needed to lower the saddle a bit).

But now when it's wet and cold and muddy, I can't find a boot that's as good as my W101s so I've put the Times back on.

I've used clipless since whenever they first came out.

Last night I arrived for the ride to discover I'd left my SPD boots at home. Luckily I've got these big Xpedo pedals with flats around the spd bit so I just rode in trainers. I really enjoyed it actually.

The only downside is that I never learned to bunnyhop properly so I usually just pull up the back end with my feet - not so last night. Clattered into a few drainage channels.

only ever ridden flat.... might consider those plastic cage things that you ram your toes in, but only if i were to invest in a bike that warranted such advance technology!

what ever happened to the extreme fun that is rolling down a hill with your legs sticking as far out in front of you and to the side as possible shouting "weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee"?!

Flat shoes & pedals have developed more than SPDs recently. I guess the old arguments are becoming less relevant.

If you ride spd, you just get on with it. If you ride flats you have to make a big thing about it. Its always been the same and always will.
Clips=commited
Flats=scared
(Only joking)

http://www.declinemagazine.com/content.php?itemid=5101

Used SPDs years ago and gave up after two years.
Rode flats for many years then tried SPDS again - they have got MUCH better (release when you come off, easier to clip into, etc).

However I still like flats and they are great for learning "proper" bunnyhops and other "stunts" with.

I also did an XC race on flats - well it was an offroad tri with an MTB section. Came first. 😀

I did use SPD shoes (Spesh Tahos) without clips though - so you still get the slight shoe stiffness.

Yep, nope.
Tried 5:10s and flats and just couldn't get on with them. Hated the way your foot gets stuck in the wrong place and ain't easy to move. Much rather be clipped into the same place every time. Even had to drop my seat on the down hills with flats. Had my worst injury in ages coming off the bloody things.
Back on the town bike they go.

This is a handy thread for me. I just recently replaced the spuds on my hardtail with flats. The idea was to improve my technique when I'm just hacking round the local park. After 2 rides I hate them. I don't feel secure on them and the couple of little jumps in the park throw my feet off the pedals.

Is it just a case of getting used to it or is there some kind of technique I need to apply?

Give it more time - you're bound to feel a bit insecure and like you are getting bounced off at first - but drop your heels - you'll be amazed at the grip. I rode for years with SPDs and still do for commuting, but like the OP can't see myself going back to SPDs for general riding around anytime soon. I used to feel more 'in'/ 'attached' to the bike with SPDs, now I get that feeling much more on flats and actually feel quite 'perched' with my SPDs. I think it has helped my riding loads to switch on to flats - but at the end of the day can't be bothered to preach about either. Give each a fair whack and then ride what suits you best. 🙂

i'm not being funny or nuffink but... whether you ride clipped in or flats or spuds or gaffa taped to the pedals, if you dont enjoy sticking your legs out to the sides and rolling down a hill shouting "weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" then you shouldnt be allowed to own a bike.

legal fact.

[img] [/img]

Fact.

SPD's Vs Flats

Hmmmm... 😕

My conclusion is both are good, but for different reasons.

As far as the argument goes about "missing half the pedal stroke" if you're riding on flats... LOL! LEARN TO PEDAL CIRCLES PROPERLY is all I can say to that, no matter what pedals you use. Get yourself down to a 4X or BMX race to see an example of good pedalling technique out of the blocks, some will be using SPD's granted but a lot will still be using flats, and there won't be anything in it because of the pedal they use... It's all about the individual.

2 things I will say for SPD's is that firstly, I find I tire a little less when using them on a long ride compared to flats, but this could mostly be due to stiff soled shoes compared to a pair of Vans trainers. Secondly, I find it a little easier to get up steep technical sections with my feet clipped in, this is a personal thing, and I know plenty of people the other way, but for me knowing my feet are mechanically attached to the bike helps me get up some very steep tech stuff that I may otherwise be walking.

Flats win on the fact I feel more in control of the bike (those who are getting "bounced off" get yourself some decent flat pedals and trainers), I have more freedom, they give me more confidence (though again that's a personal thing) and I feel happier generally messing about on a bike with flats on. I don't expect you to have the same opinions though.

Oh, forgot to add, the other area where SPDs win is riding in narrow gulleys or landrover tracks, have caught flat pedals on the sides of narrow gulleys before, it's a pain, SPDs are narrower so win here, but it's about 0.000001% of the riding I've ever done...

Incidentally, just read that decline magazine article linked to above... Totally agree with it. I can say that my preference for clipless pedals when going up steep technical climbs is more due to my less than perfect pedalling technique than anything else, and I also rely too much on being sat down and spinning hard to get uphills cos I probably need to strengthen my core muscles a lot more.

Proof if proof be need be

Given that last years World DH champion uses clips, and this years World DH Champion uses flats, I'd say that is conclusive evidence that its entirely down to personal preference and technique. They both work. Personally I gave up riding anything but flat pedals years ago and my feet never bounce off the pedals on anything. Technique plus 5 10's and proper rebound settings.

Oh my god, a man just rode past my window wearing a Gimp Mask!

I Prefer to ride Flats however on long rides was getting alot of knee pain, Got some SPDs and No more knee pain. My theory is that my feet are quite splayed when riding flats so knee is not bending in the correct plain so when riding SPD my feet float alot more and are more straight and so knee bends in correct plain. If you get Mean, this is only a personnel theory.

But Basically Its your Bike you use what you want/feels right for you Bugger what everyone else say's.

Happy Trails
PD

What would happen if this forum had to actually make a decision about something? i.e like government or management do all day every day?
Due to the financial crisis this country can only afford to support one pedal format for mountainbike use.
Make your mind up once and for all muppets!