[Closed] Am I offending the gods of road biking by using flat pedals?

If it's good enough for Lee Fancourt - it'll be good enough for you.

I've been using them fine for years. I tried SPD-SL's for year and noticed no difference in speed.

I use toe clips and don't care.

(i reckon, etc...)

clippy pedals help, if:

you're creaking up a long steep hill, it's easier to 'unweight' the up-coming pedal, so you're not fighting against yourself.

you're spinning your ***s off.

if you're chasing seconds, then they're worth it.

if you're worried about offending someone, get out more.

You will have to put effort into changing your pedal stroke to be come more circular. Lots of people have clipless but rearly make use og the benifits. If you ahve ever ridden SS of fixed wheel, you will develope the skill out of necessity! You mainly notice the difference when accelerating hard, spinning very fast and honking up hill.

You're definitely offending them.
Good work.
Carry on as you are.

Edit;
There is a difference in efficiency between flats and clips. Flexi shoes, inability to pull up, limiting the effective part of the pedal stroke etc all lead to lost energy. Over longer rides or if performance is a factor then you would almost certainly notice a difference but you've got to be comfortable with it or its more likely to stop you from riding the bike. Until you decide to switch back to flats at least.

Do what ever you feel comfortable with. If you know someone who has a spare pair of shoes and pedals that you can borrow then maybe go that route and see if it suites you. I know plenty of riders who switch from flats on an mtb to clips on a road bike and they seem to manage it perfectly well.

Oh and what Jam bo says. Pedals strikes are not very funny.

Someone will be offended for sure but ask yourself this:

If someone's life is so devoid of meaning that they have the time to criticise you for how you choose to attach yourself to your bike - do you really value their opinion?

As far as riding clipless goes, I find it feels faster and more comfortable. If you'll get more enjoyment from feeling faster (I do) then they might be worth investigating.

Toyed with the idea of clips for my road bike (can't be bothered on the mtb) and then decided to stick some flats on and be done with it.

I love offending the head up their own arse roadie types (I also wear baggies)

if you are using big mtb flats, be careful cornering, sparking a pedal off the tarmac is a scary experience...

I find it quite satisfying pointing out the errors of their ways to riders who don't follow "The Rules". 😆

[IMG] [/IMG]

Just do it man!

Try them for yourself and see.

I'm of the 'if almost every other road rider uses them and all the professionals do too, then there must be something in it' school of thought.

Personally I find flats really inefficient compared to SPDs - much easier to spin and spin with SPDs

lycra and flats is an unusual combination. Clipless pedals and road shoes support your feet better which most people find more comfortable over longer distances. Personally I prefer the feel of float compared to sticky rubber stuck on pins but YMMV. I clip in for road and mtb but not on the frankenbike commuter

Run what you like. I've got some of those double-sided SPDs so I can ride my road bike in normal shoes or clip in depending on how I feel. Got orange reflectors on 'em too. And I use a saddle bag. I just don't care, man, rock'n'roll.

Sarcasm aside, I run a different system on each of my bikes: Look Keos on my road bike; SPDs on my commuter/tourer; flats on my MTB. All serve their purpose, I did have SPDs on the MTB but decided to try flats and have stuck with them.

I don't have a road bike any more, I built a really quick hybrid to do the same job because I don't like drops... But I always had flats on mine. I like just getting on a bike and not having to go and change into Special Cycling Shoes. Comes a point people are so obsessed with doing things "right" that they'd rather put people off entirely.

I'd go for an Oval ring to compensate for using flatties.

I'm in similar situation but wouldn't give in to clipped in.
### that!

Saints with reflectors anyone? Work for me with whichever pair of trainers I want to wear that day.

[img] ?oh=18b4497abd3012fa00ab75476a8cfe08&oe=5640042C[/img]

I do use SPD's on the mountain bike though.

...... ride a hybrid, and flats with toe-clips ..... done the cheshire cat a few times, cardiff velothon, tour de mon, etape ,

don't care 🙂

Wellgo mg1 flats on mine,

I use flats on the MTB and SPD's on the road and cross bike.

I find SPD's make it easier when you're trying on climbs (especially sat down) and just generally giving it "the beans". I also find my pedalling motion is more fluid and spinning works better clipped in.

I did my first 100miler (CX on\off road) on flats and it was fine, I would rather do stuff like that and general road riding clipped in now...

Give it a try and see what you think, then pick what you prefer.

SPDs are nothing to do with speed for me, which is lucky cos I'm slow as molasses. The reason i like them is that you can't really slip off the pedals. Did that and broke my saddle and my gooch after hitting an unseen pothole and losing my footing on wet flats .

If you do go for clipless then I'd suggest mtb ones over road ones for longevity.

I switch over time. Currently on spds. Better on the singlespeed and means I can do extended commutes in summer. Flats on the other hand are better in winter on snow and ice when you might have to push or put a foot down. Also better for not falling over getting up the stairs to the office.

anyone checked out Lee Fancourt? 326 miles on a time trial bike in 19 hours and on flats? 😯

There's a GCN video that showed no difference in efficiency in most riding situations. Where you are at a disadvantage when you're not clipped in is when you have sudden changes of power/speed like a sprint.

Bad bob- that may be but he appears to be using speedplays on his latest lejogle challenge, make of that what you will.

i rode 117 miles a week ago , on flats and five tens.

i had a go on a mates spd's today with plans of trying them again.

i have just ordered some new 5/10's.

I have a pair of Superstar Nanos on my SS road bike. Just means I can throw on trainers and nip to shops etc. Use to use clipless, but fractured my elbow last year. Baby + no sleep = slow reactions. For commuting or general use I find flats more convenient.

Got a few midlife crisis road riders round my way. Clipless, super expensive bike and lycra all the gear,no idea types. I love going past them on a steel SS with flats wearing baggy shorts and a t-shirt whilst saying a cheery hello 😉

I run flats on my road bike... I haven't been pulled over by the UCI yet.

Got a few midlife crisis road riders round my way. Clipless, super expensive bike and lycra all the gear,no idea types. I love going past them on a steel SS with flats wearing baggy shorts and a t-shirt whilst saying a cheery hello

No, it just means you're badass.

I take it that you are one of the men I have spun passed then Mr Nice? 😉 I just find it amusing that some people (small minority) seem to think that buying an expensive bike, wearing all the kit and following the roadie rules is key to fitness. Just go out and ride wearing and using whatever feels comfy. Pipe, slippers and a penny farthing. No point worrying about offending people. It's all about the fun unless you're getting paid for it.

All my opinion of course.

Have a good evening.

Ride what you like fella...

I manage to offend all sorts of rule makers with my commuter, fixed, rear rack and mudguards fitted all year round and rocking M636 pedals...

Nobody's ever pleased to see it, utterly theft proof mind.

Spd SL on the "proper" roadie are noticeably more comfy over longer distances with the stiffer soled shoes and more positive engagement (IMO of course)... YMMV

Commuting in the depths of winter I'm much happier with my winter SPD boots on.

Shimano trail pedals on the road bike though, enough if a platform to wear trainers if I'm nipping to the shop, more often than not though my Velcro sod shoes are the closest to the bike and back door...

5:10's with plastic flats with toe clips for me on the road bike.

I don't like it that much to spend money attaching myself to the thing.

"[url= http://www.rivbike.com/kb_results.asp?ID=45 ]Before I started pedaling free, I imagined myself hopping over dead mammals all the time--because I'd done it a few times. But when I gave up pedaling connected (about 5 years ago), I haven't missed it once. I ride around the mammals, and not once have I wished I was connected.[/url]"

Rivendell's grouchy post on the benefits of not using spds. Grant likes Teva sandals, is also partial to Crocs.

🙂

Well if your worried about offending the cycling gods with flats I'm doomed because I've got those funny double sided A530 Shimano touring pedals on mine. I normally use them clipped in, mostly for the benefits of stiffer soles and foot comfort but no problem with the flats.

I was just about to post about Grant! It fits neatly in with my personal cycling philosophy.

Clips are for kooks!

It's just riding bikes. The more we try and complicate it, the more likely joy is to disappear, and the further we get from the original, primal freedom bikes gave us as kids.

Found it:

What Is The Most Efficient Pedalling Style? We Test Flat Vs. Clipless Pedals | GCN Does Science

Specialized road bike, superstar nanos, 5.10's, trail lid and baggies. Regularly overtake roadies on my commute. They dont like it. lol.

Not sure if SPDs have made me any faster but they definitely help when you're grinding up very steep hills, especially those short, stupidly steep climbs up cobbled lanes etc as you can pull up as well as push down on the pedals.

Seems unlikely they'd make any difference to a commute, unless you have a hilly, 70 mile ride to work every day.

Rivendell are just marketing a diffrent dream to the big classical road bikeing one. Its an alternative naration, but its still just marketing a dream.

Ride what you want on a commute I do't think you can offend anyone. Lets face it you see all kinds on the commute heaps of junk through to £2k+ road bikes. Mind I can't quite work the image of lycra and hiking boots!!!!

For me clipless are the way forward, and as a commute is all about sprinting from lights, out of corners etc. they are ace. I'd get double sided mtb style pedals for the commute as they easier to clip into than single sided road pedals and you can walk in your shoes in the office/factory/where ever.

I have Time pedals which are a bit of both (Z control on the mtbs and flat/SPD on the road bike). Could be a solution for you.

a commute is all about sprinting from lights,

'cept the guy on flats is a hard pedal stroke or two ahead of the guy clipping in, depending on how good he is with his cleats.

It's just riding bikes. The more we try and complicate it, the more likely joy is to disappear, and the further we get from the original, primal freedom bikes gave us as kids.

Well said that man.

I've been on flats on all bikes since I had a got with Time's about 15 years ago. They made my knees hurt, so I stopped using them. The roadiest roadster I've got is a Singular Peregrine, so Wellgo MG1s on that don't look as offensive as they might on a 5K Pinarello.

Keen on another go with SPDs for a bit of efficiency and freshness at the end of long rides. Quite nice having flats on all the bikes at the moment though - any bike any shoes, off you go.

Clips are for kooks!
It's just riding bikes. The more we try and complicate it, the more likely joy is to disappear, and the further we get from the original, primal freedom bikes gave us as kids.

Except it's not primal. It's a largely Victorian era invention that has been refined over the last few decades in the name of super efficiency.

It's a simple answer, if your commute is short(ish), and you don't want the bother of carrying spare shoes etc, flats are just fine.
If you are taking longer rides and are partial to occasional/frequent faster rides then you'll appreciate the added energy saving ergo extra speed benefits of being clipped in.

I'd suggest that if you're already clad in Lycra and riding a lightweight road bike that you're on the path to being clipped in.
Remember to 'ride circularly'. It's been mentioned a few times here already but is the key to a positive outcome.

Interesting replies, thank you.

I'm very lucky that my commute is 16miles along mainly flat country roads, I commute every day, on a good day I do it just under 45min.

I'm not really that concerned about "offending" anyone, was meant as a tounge in cheek title, if I was I certainly wouldn't be wearing lycra!

The "hiking boots" in question are [url= http://www.adidas.co.uk/terrex-fast-r-mid-gtx-shoes/B34093.html ]Adidas Terrex[/url]. I went for them as they are "waterproof" it is indeed an interesting combination.

My motivation to change would be an increase in speed, but Jury seems out on that.

Except it's not primal

(I generally use clips on my bikes for the efficient feel you mention but not always, just depends.)

Pink Crocs off road at the mo.
Not dead so far.

Really, really CBA spending a fortune on another pair of overpriced plastic trainers with a bike brand name on.

[i]I love offending the head up their own arse roadie types (I also wear baggies)[/i]

You do know 'they' actually couldn't care less and in real life absolutely no one is offended. You do know that don't you?

I would laugh and point at your shoes but I wouldn't be offended

I tend to leave being offended to things such as racism and violence rather than what shoes someone is wearing.

From the first time I used clipless pedals many, many years ago I would never use anything else. I just like the security they provide (even more so off road) and even used them on BMX the last time I road one (on a track rather than 'street' stuff obviously)

Clipped in = energy saving + marginal increase in power transfer = ultimately more speed.

Your analogy to pro cyclists wearing them was really the debate ended.

simon_g - Member

Found it:

What Is The Most Efficient Pedalling Style? We Test Flat Vs. Clipless Pedals | GCN Does Science

Seems like a bit of a skewed test. Not only was he riding in SPD shoes on flats (not optimal as opposed to SPD-sls and correct shoes) but in my experience most pure roadies can't spin for toffee on flats. We had a turbo trainer challenge where I used to work, see who could go furthest in 120 seconds.

Both myself and another flat pedal mtb'er smoked the roadies who included an Irish under 21 champion (who promptly threw up), an under 21 track champion and a retired TT champ. They just struggled to spin correctly without being clipped in.

Saying all that, I get sore feet after 30-40 miles on flats so will be investing in stiffer shoes of some description down the line.

OP - fwiw I don't think it matters if you actually GO faster as long as you FEEL faster. In terms of feeling faster I'd say Roadie clipless > MTB clipless > flats. I'm fairly confident that most clipless users would agree.

Whether or not that extra feeling of speed is worth the extra hassle of shoes/pedals etc is completely up to you. (In my experience not worth it on a short flat commute but well worth it on my longer hilly commute).

I used to use flats on my road bike, then mtb spds, and now spd-sl and guess which feels best? It just makes sense to use the right tool for the job. It feels faster, whether it is or not is a different matter. I'm even considering spuds on the mtb now since I hate slipping a pedal or having my foot being knocked out of position, at least clipped in it's always in the right place.

SPD-SL are not fun for walking in at all though. I got a puncture on my road bike when I was about 3.5 miles away from home and had to walk it back. Worst blisters of my life and my cleats are shredded (still work though). Probably would have been better off walking barefoot tbh.