I successfully moved across to flat from SPDs 5 or so years ago then wrecked my shins, i started doing pure road and lost my way. I now have a new FS bike with flats and it all feels a bit alien. Currently using five ten freerides with some generic brand aluminium /grub screw pedals. The shoes are close to dead so im considering a new setup.
Is there an ideal setup or shoe/pedal combination? What shin/ knee protection is good for general trail use.
Same shoes here, 3 pairs.
Nukeproof Neutron pedals for me.
For shoes, Freerider Pros are generally agreed to be the best (I finally got some last year and love them) - assuming you're not riding in the wet a lot.
They'll give a bit more support that the standard Freeriders and are a bit less absorbent too.
generic brand aluminium /grub screw pedals
If they're the generic Nano or V8 style pedals, they might be totally fine.
I need some new pedals myself and I'm about to try the Nukeproof Horizon Enduro pedals as they seem well-regarded, struggling to click "buy" even at the sale price of £85 though.
The plastic Nukeproofs might be a better bet if you're still feeling things out.
ive had the mid price shimano shoes now in their 3rd winter, i cant see i need anything else, possibly half the price of 510s
i run the horizons on one bike, in all honesty, im super impressed by all nukeproof parts ive used so far.
Have a look at Ride Concepts if the new improved Five Ten fit doesn't work for you.
If you're confident with SPDs, why not just stick with them if flats feel odd and you're spending money?
Nukeproof Horizon Enduro pedals
I bought some at the 'sale' price. Really impressed. At least as good as my Mk5 Burgtecs on the other bike. Pins are pretty long tho.
5-10s for me as well, but I do have a 3 year old pair of Shimano GR7s I think and with decent pedals you really don't need the stealth grip of a 5-10. Other brands aren't that far behind.
Might try those Ride Concepts @billoddie as the 5-10 sizing seems to have gone from 'perfect' to 'nothing fits' in the last 2 years.
If you’re confident with SPDs, why not just stick with them if flats feel odd and you’re spending money?
Agree.
But if you're set on flats, I'd suggest that your shoes are probably OK and there are more gains to be had in pedals. If your setup is 5+ years old, it might benefit more from a more modern slimmer, wider pedal. There are loads of them around. Burgtec plastic ones are £40 and are well-liked.
I’ve just gone back to flats for mtb. I found the five tens took a few rides to bed in. They’re beginning to flex a bit now, felt awful out the box. I also removed sone of the pins from the pedals. They were just too grippy, I couldn’t adjust foot position…
Foot position is everything on flats or you'll slip off them no matter what
Never comfy on flats / V8's until I:
- Moved to DMR Vault / Freerider combo. Bigger platform + grip made a massive difference.
- Taking proper jumps / drops course getting comfortable pushing into pedals / ground / unweighting.
Started with shin / knee pad combo. After a while felt fine to ditch the shin pads.
re the shin/knee protection...
in the 2.5 years i've been riding, i don't think i've taken a pedal to a shin. Got one in the calf a number of times pushing up....
bend your knees/ankles more. when i ride clips i dont bother as much as i`m attached and dont need to but you have to do this way more on flats.
I also have to lower my pedalling saddle position about an inch when i run flats otherwise i find my feet slip when pedalling. the stack of flats and a skinny sole is alot less.
as jedi says - you dont really need grippy pedals/shoes if your technique is good (but i agree it defo helps for most of us!)
Have the pedal further back/more central on the sole than tippy toe SPDs and drop your heels on the descents
Thanks all this is great. I checked the pedals (used bike) and they are HT supreme so apparently great albeit the screws are deadly looking. Jedi has helped me in the past re: keeping the foot more central but that trip ended with an old injury coming back after a jump and i left the MTB alone until now.
I guess this thread was more for encouragement as its easy to use SPDS even on the downs i feel more secure but im so much more stiff in my stance that i get a sore back /hips in no time at all.
My takeaway here is that correct form with flat pedals should mean an overall more comfortable ride - unless im just doing basic distance riding.
New shoes for me...
For me key thing to riding with flats is to have a mid foot pedal position (foot arch roughly over the pedal axle) and to drop your heels.
I have Burgtec plastic pedals and I'm very impressed by the grip from them. I think they are same size and shape as their more expensive metal pedals just made in plastic so far less expensive. So far they have been super durable and grippy.
I'm also using Adidas shoes with the 5.10 rubber. I find these are a good compromise as they are very light, grippy and dry reasonably well. 5.10 Freeriders probably have more grip but from what I've heard hold onto water a lot and take a while to dry out.
