[Closed] Going from spd back to flats. Good idea?

I can't understand why people ask questions like this.
Just try it and make your own mind up.
It's not life and death you can change either way at any time.
I do both but what others do has no reflection on what i like best.

I've tried going back and can't do it but then I like riding spds so...

SSS I had a couple of trailcentre runs on flats/slowriders bike and it felt great however the trails were smooth. Just felt better able to reposition my body easily on the flats.

Change costs money.

Change costs about 20 quid. For a single ride you don't need "proper" shoes so just buy some welgo v8 copies, and ride them with trainers. If you're happy, buy some skate shoes or some "proper" flat soled shoes.

I ride both. Prefer flats at the bike park and for DH in general, clipless for other riding.

Flat all the way but if ou are going to do it properly get Wellgo Mag1 pedals and five ten shoes. Ok, it will ost over a ton but, You won't go back to SPD's after that.

You won't go back to SPD's after that

You have no way of knowing this. 😆

I have just done this, I tried it out cheaply with some old flat pedals I had lying around and some cheap skate shoes.

I really enjoyed the change, so have just bought some Superstar Nano's, and these have so much grip than I thought possible. Looking forward to giving them a good try out this week.

Cost to change : £43 Pedals, and looking at about £60 for flat shoes.

Running Spike Spanks with Five Tens, feel almost clipped in at times! For hooning around I think flats are the way to go. XC and DH racing at a top level, then SPD's.

Wasted energy on the shoes, feet come off pedals, shins scarred...

Other than jumping I really don't get flat pedals.

GB

I ride both. They're just pedals, it's not a magic bullet.

I've been riding flats for a few weeks now after 13 years clipped in. The reason, lately I've been riding really rocky terrain and its much easier being able to dab your foot down without the hassle of clipping back in. Its taking a while to get used to flats, but I think the process will improve my riding. I got cheap wellgo copies and I'm using existing skate shoes. I'm considering getting five tens now as I'm told this improves grip. Once I get good at flats I'm going to pick and choose dependant on the type of ride.

On my main bike, flats all the way. Also the bike I'm most likely to get into trouble on so makes sense.

SPDs on the SS simply as its more racey/XC orientated and I need the 'pull' on the climbs.

I'd never run SPDs all the time on my bouncey gnar bike though.

Tried flats with 5.10's, they're not all that.
I'll stick with Times on the bouncey gnar bike all the time.

gee - Member

feet come off pedals

With proper pedals, they just don't.

this got something to do with the fall at hebdon today? I quite honestly have no idea but i would say whatever you were doing.....do the opposite???? Just a suggestion.....

😉

Try flats, try every flat shoe and pedal combo you can find. Go back to SPDs. Try every SPD and shoe combo you can find. Report back to us your findings. Try the flats again, try the SPDs again. Make your decision.

The pedals were riding you.

Directed by M Night Shyamalan

I tried mag 1's and 5 10 shoes and was pretty unimpressed and my kids said I had special needs shoes on 😛

honourablegeorge - Member
With proper pedals, they just don't.

But they do, it's one of the reasons SPDs are [i]still[/i] used in DH.

Yeah, just look at the DH in Windham yesterday, quite a few of the flat riders seemed to be losing pedals on the rock gardens.

That said, I prefer flats (changed from SPDs a couple of years ago or so) but I don't ride WC downhill terrain or speed!

I have spent around 6 months on flats now after 8 years spd. Got to say I love it, much improved confidence on super steep tech. I think I may be slightly slower when its super fast as I get scared of the feet bouncing off, otherwise I love it. Dont notice any difference in climbing, SPD is for the road only for me.

I originally tried it with cheap flats and skate shoes and hated it, feet slipping everywhere. After much pursuasion from friends and g/f I bought Teva's and superstar nano's, super grippy and awesome. I say invest in decent kit, if you dont like it at least you know you have tried the best and you wont lose much on ebay. No more than the £20 you lose on cheap pedals and skate shoes that would get replaced anyway if you like it!

this got something to do with the fall at hebdon today? I quite honestly have no idea but i would say whatever you were doing.....do the opposite???? Just a suggestion.....

Nah that was me getting it squirrely/wrong infront of 3 lads pushing up. 😳

I have more confidence on flat pedals. I think it's the float on spds, the side to side movement feels horrible. And it feels like your feet are hovering above the pedals rather than being on/around them. For me spds are road only. Never have grip issues with V8 copies and orchid bmx shoes. Even my plastic bmx pedals are grippy enough when its wet.

gee - Member

feet come off pedals

With proper technique, they just don't.

FTFY

But they do, it's one of the reasons SPDs are still used in DH.

Is it? You've heard this direct from the horses mouth from speaking to pro DHers who use SPDs I assume? And Hora is the OP, not a pro DHer...

I stopped using spds and went to flats after 2 crashes where failing to unclip led to injury (one a broken tibia). After starting on SPDs and riding them exclusively for 15yrs it took a long time to get comfortable/confident but now I wouldnt go back.

To Hora, as others have said you can try it cheap. Kona Wah Wahs are the same as Nukeproof and superstar nano and cheaper (I got mine for ~£28 from Absolute Cycles via their ebay store) and are grippier than the wellgo types. One of the most talented riders I know rides regular nike type trainers, on the basis he has more walking grip when he's pushing up sections. Still pulls Danny Mac style moves though. I've got shimano AM40s, but alternate between them and some old vans waffle soles I have had for years.

[i]Change costs money[/i]

From the man who changes frames/cars more often than he changes his underpants...

Riding flats gives you the skills spd make you think you have.

From the man who changes frames/cars more often than he changes his underpants...

Two recessions in two years changes alot of things.

Start a new niche; hedge your bets by putting one foot in each camp... left foot flattie, right foot SPD... 😆

Riding flats gives you the excuse for the skills you don't have.

Riding flats gives you the skills spd make you think you have.

Agree with this comment and as a result shit scared about going back to flats after so long on candys

Start a new niche; hedge your bets by putting one foot in each camp... left foot flattie, right foot SPD...

😆

Riding flats gives you the skills spd make you think you have.

I know what you mean. I used SPDs for years and they were allowing me to 'cheat' to an extent. I went back to flats to improve my technique but with 3 recent crashes since the change the jury is still out 😀

Yup, good idea. I swapped my SPDs for flats recently. I half expected my legs to explode from the poor technique the internet had told me I had developed from my SPD use. I was shocked to find that my legs remained in-tact, I could bunnyhop just fine, and that my feet gripped the pedals very well.
I must stop listening to people on the internet.

Wasted energy on the shoes, feet come off pedals, shins scarred...

Other than jumping I really don't get flat pedals.

[i]Wasted energy[/i] - about 15% if you use running shoes, less for something like skate shoes which don't have as much foam in the soles and are pretty stiff. Noticeable, but it's probably less than the disparity between a fast guy and a slow guy in a riding group so you just need to be a little fitter.

[i]feet come off pedals, shins scarred [/i]- the first happens very rarely and as a reult the second even rarer, I've not (touch wood) shinned myself in 3 years! Calves suffer pushing the bike through. I think I've accidentaly unlcipped more often than slipped a flat pedal in recent memory, I've 3 SPD bike (road, SS and hardtail) and 2 flats (pitch and BMX).

[i]Other than jumping I really don't get flat pedals.[/i] I actualy think the opposite, I try much harder not to crash while jumping than cornering for example so SPD's arent a downside. Cornering is where it's at on flats IMO, that's where they really come into their own being able to go as hard as you dare and if it goes tits-up just step off the bike.

Hora, just do it, £20 for some flat shoes off ebay, any skate brand will do to begin with, and some mediochre pedals from kona/superstar for £30-£50.

[img] [/img]

I made the switch a few weeks ago.

I've ridden clipless on the road for the past 15 years, so when I started riding more off-road SPDs seemed the obvious choice. Especially as I had a pair of MTB style pedals and soft touring shoes from back in 2000, when I rode John O'Groats down to Lands End on a recumbent (well it was the millennium and you had to do something). But, while un-clipping is second nature, getting the feet back in after dabbing on more technical sections was a pain, so I decided to try flats.

It was quite an expensive experiment though. By most reports the difference between cheap copies + trainers and higher spec options was big enough that I couldn't see the point in trying the cheap option as it still wouldn't tell me whether I'd prefer it with better shoes/pedals and if I did like it I'd probably upgrade quite soon, which would be more expensive in the long run. So I went for Five-Ten Impacts with DMR Vault pedals.

Initial impressions are that it's OK, but I'm still getting used to the difference.

Efficiency doesn't seem to be an issue (for me). My times around local loops are pretty much the same (sometimes faster, sometimes slower) and any difference is less than the differences due to different weather or trail conditions and how I'm feeling. Since I don't race it just isn't an issue.

Getting the feet knocked off the pedals has happened but then it happened with the SPDs as well (since I run them pretty loose anyway). The difference with the flats is that I can just put my foot back on the pedal and carry on without having to fumble around to clip in, which is quite useful when you are on the verge of stalling anyway.

The main downsides are that my feet are not automatically in the right position and it's not that easy to re-adjust the position of your foot. With clipless systems, once I'm in it feels right (after 15 years of riding with my feet in the same position it's bound to really). With the Five-Ten/DMR combination the grip is amazing. Wherever you happen to stick your foot (within reason) it will just stay there. That's great when you want to get through a tricky section, but moving your foot requires lifting and placing it back on. I frequently find that I start off, think "that's doesn't feel quite right", move my foot a bit, "no that's still not right" etc etc. But maybe that will improve with practice.

Anyway, hope that's some help.

Cheers,

Andy

used to ride clipped all the time. Then a few years ago i took a set of flat pedals to the alps and instantly liked it.

Now ride flats all the time on slackline and prefer it. Used to get calf ache sometmies with clipless pedals because of bad technique. Can really get my feet angled back when over the rough stuff now.

Plus with 5 10's they don't move. Certainly feel better at cornering as well

I have flats on 2 bikes and spds on the other 2. They both have their place.

I enjoy the 'feel' that flats give and the ability to take a foot off instantly can be handy. Spds definitely seem more efficient and therefore faster when pedalling hard so have the edge for group XC rides.

As said above, try it and see

I use one of each and swap them regularly so they wear evenly*

*This is a lie

I can't understand why people ask questions like this.

Because this is a mountain biking forum where people come because they like talking, and reading, about mountain biking.

I rode SPDs for years on the road then off.
I prefer flats now and am convinced this is a good move for me since my mate snapped his lower leg in a mild off when he did not un-clip.
I don't think you need super shoes for it either. I use TNF Hedgehogs and only get loose on the pedals when I'm knackered. Its a practice/skill thing(I have a skill?).
PSA Go Outdoors have some good slim sealed Outland pedals for £18 or so.(Site shows £22 or £30 so I might have just struck lucky last week)

Flats for me, tried spd's as I have them on the road bike and didn't like it after a couple of comedy offs, one of which couple have been pretty bad on another day.

Try and get a set of pedals second hand and a cheap pair of skate shoes (which is what I currently use) and have a go?

I can't understand why people ask questions like this.

Your on a forum too long if you feel you need to post on a subject to voice displeasure at an ontopic/onforum question though.

[img] [/img]

I found 5.10s and Nanos were too grippy. Shimano give good grip but allow a bit of adjustment

Start a new niche; hedge your bets by putting one foot in each camp... left foot flattie, right foot SPD...

That's [i]so [/i]last year...

Right foot flattie, and left foot SPD is where it's at for 2012.... 8)

Why the Benny Hill pics?

I think I've got 4 sets of these. My bikes and the kids bikes

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=563&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_name=UnitedKingdom

I ride in walking boot and get on just fine...

Being clipped in does help with sprinting though

hora - Member

I can't understand why people ask questions like this.

Your on a forum too long if you feel you need to post on a subject to voice displeasure at an ontopic/onforum question though.

Wrong. No displeasure being voiced.

I'm just pointing out that no matter what anyone says to you it won't change what you like best.
The only way to know is to try both out. 🙂

I think it's a good idea, for 2 reasons. First, you'll find out if you prefer SPDs or flats, and that's the most important consideration for what ones to use (unless you're racing anyway). But second, they can both help bring out strengths and weaknesses in your riding, and even if you decide to go back to SPDs, flat techniques transfer back well.

Just, don't give it a halfhearted try and then give up. It'll probably feel crap at first, you may have to learn some basic skills and that's frustrating when you're an experienced rider. Loads of people don't stick with it then just say they didn't like it (this happens both ways, loads of flats riders dabble in SPDs too). You've got to give it long enough to get good at it, so you can compare with how it feels to be good with SPDs.

I've tried SPD's and never got on with them. I usually wear Vans with my flats but recently tried a pair of cheap Regatta shoes that I bought but never wore and they're reet grippy, quite surprised as the one time I did wear them I nearly went arse for tit on a shopping centres tiled floor.

I like flats purely for the fact that you can get your foot down faster. I'm sure SPD users would disagree but I'm not skilled enough to use them.

If spds make a 15% difference to power I think I'll be sticking with them... For perspective, there is less than 10% between me and an Olympic spot so 15% would be gigantic!!

Flats just strike me as the equivalent of strapping your feet to skis with bits of leather... That said I do my pedals up very tight so they don't unclip unless I want them to. I don't think I've ever crashed because of the pedals - lack of skills/talent/bravery, yes. Pedals, no.

GB

Rode clipless until I had a couple unspectacular but painful falls so invested in a pair of 5.10's and DMR flats and haven't looked back since - all depends on what works for you and not what other people think so try it and see ... 😉

Surely 15% was plucked from the air?

I use to be dubious of the crashing due to not getting a foot free. But it looks like it does happen...

Other than jumping I really don't get flat pedals. I actualy think the opposite, I try much harder not to crash while jumping than cornering for example so SPD's arent a downside. Cornering is where it's at on flats IMO, that's where they really come into their own being able to go as hard as you dare and if it goes tits-up just step off the bike.

Total opposite for me, clip in and ride the slide, feet off ain't the fastest way through a corner, clips or flats its all about body position and commitment innit...

Yes. Do it.

I never really considered "special" shoes for flat pedals. I wear an old pair of Salomon approach shoes with DMR V8s, and they stick like Catholic priests to small boys. Would there any benefit to be had in splashing out on something else? Er, shoes, I mean.

I don't get it either, skate shoes + wellgo v8s here and my grip is fine.

How can people ride clipless for so long and not be able to clip back in!!

For the more tech riding I upgraded to a pair of 5.10 Minarrs with CB Mallets. Gives me a stamp point when required after unclipping.

As for WC riders and Clips I reckon Lopes had a lot to say on the issue. I think he knows what he's talking about.

7 yrs ago when I started riding, more experienced riders implied that you weren't really a mountain biker without spuds.

I adapted to them quickly and rode them for 4 yrs & loved em.

But I like to try and improve technique wise, so I gave flats a go. This took alot more time to adjust! I've stuck with and can't see why I would go back

Much as I regret not having more snowboard lessons (I'm stuck with my 'style') in the beginning, I also wish I'd not listened to those experts and spent a few years on flats.

And think how many things you bottle in your early riding years because of spuds...

And think how many things you bottle in your early riding years because of spuds...

This still confuses me, was it just me that worked out how to unclip?

Start a new niche; hedge your bets by putting one foot in each camp... left foot flattie, right foot SPD...

That's not new, i already do that

And think how many things you bottle in your early riding years because of spuds...

Other way round for me - if your clipped, bottling something is a PITA (well clipping back in is usually the hard part)so more than likely I'll just MTFU and hit it where as with flats I'd stop and have a faff, and mince around the obstacle.

I have crappy technique so spds stop the bike falling away from my feet on bigger drops, which is nice.

I don't understand sticky rubber shoes, I like skate shoes but with a nice big slim flatties if I'm gonna run flats (the flat pedal world has moved on a bit from v8's)

When I'm riding flats I miss the support of my carbon soled disco slippers. After about two hours of riding I get sore feet in my 5-10 Impacts despite wearing the same orthotic insoles... but my feet are pretty ****ed from years of ski boot abuse so YMMV etc.

I like flats and SPD's; as has been stated above it's great to be able to use both as each has it's advantages.

i'm enjoying the sheer terror/faith required to corner at speed clipped in. i'm sure its making me a better rider.

flats for fun - clips for riding in circles

one day i`ll time myself on each pedal type if i ever get the time off family/work/life to ride for fun.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-contact-flat-pedals

These are the same as the sealed Outlands above I think, and also identical to Gusset Slim Jims. They're not as nice as the newer generation of pedals, and you might need longer pins, but for the price (£20!) they're a cracking bargain. They're not *too* thick, and they have a nice wide platform. They're also dead easy to strip and rebuild, and the bearings seem to last forever.

What everyone seems to be missing here is who started the thread and with that in mind, it could have been titled 'I am tired of using my frame / forks / being left handed / The Peaks having no corners so out of practice * as an excuse for why my riding is crap so it's time to blame the pedals'.

It'll be handlebars next, or have we already done those?

* Yep, he actually said that to us in Morzine last year

The Peaks having no corners so out of practice

I'm not blaming the bike (or anything). I was just thinking post-having a go on someones bike in Scotland, should I try it? Its been 7yrs since I last rode flats and I remember you saying in France why not try them.

The only corners in the Peaks seem to be cheeky trails. Flame me but in the dark peak there isn't much to be had of that.

I'm guessing you won't like flats as you have been riding nothing but SPD's for so long. Are you sure it was me who said that, as I am sure you asked me whether to bring flats and I told you to use what you were comfortable with, e.g. SPD's.

If that is the case (I doubt it), the Dark Peak sounds shit.

I notice that you aren't defending the left handed one 🙂

Surely 15% was plucked from the air?

The biggest losses were in the soles of trainers (they used normal trainers not skate shoes which have less padding underfoot), and the 'pull' in SPD's was negligable under normal conditions, even riders who thought they were riding prefect circles and producing very even power outputs were infact still pressing down slightly on the upstroke, the up only comes into play in a sprint or mashing up a climb and even then was only about 5% of the power IIRC as the power is limited by your cardio system, so using different (i.e. you can use the oxygen/energy to pull up, or push down, not both) muscles was no better.

So flat pedals probably lose you about 10% in a sprint and 5% elswhere. More if you use unsuitable shoes.

The Peaks having no corners so out of practice

Is true, I moved away from the Peaks after 4 years there and couldn't corner for toffee! I could ride down steep rocky chutes on a rigid bike all day long, but corners were ailien!

I notice that you aren't defending the left handed one

😆

You can't have a thread containing the words 'flats' and 'spds' without the phrase 'you're shit at riding ' and a mention of this guy.

[img] [/img]

T'is tradition.

Cool thread, finding it very insightful. Anyway, I've just put some borrowed Superstar flat pedals on my hardtail. I'm hoping they give me more confidence going down faster as, if needed, i can put a foot down if i get into bother.

Anyway, trying on the cheap and dont want to buy some shoes until i know i want them (have you seen the price of some of them) 🙂 can anybody suggest which of my usual shoes would be best? Street type trainer which have a very flat but grooved sole or something just like my running trainers? Only going out to try for an hour or so at a time at local woods to start.

Cheers!

Try one on each foot.