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I have to admit that I like being clipped in for climbs and flat sectiosn but have never really got over the fear factor when things get bumpy on the down.
read (and re-read) the article in MTBR a whil eback and think I may go back to flat.
Would want a really light pedal. whats recommended?
also, as a bike tart, can you also recommend me a good (lloking) shoe / boot to go with them?
cheers no-it-alls!
Looks aside, any firm shoe with a nice flat waffle sole should work well. I have normal 5.10s which work well but look strange. What about Minaar 5.10s?
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There's a case for going for thin profile pedals with replaceable pins. Personally, I look for cheapness and easily re-greasable bearings.
I've just done exactly that. Having always used spd's (well mainly Crank Bros) I bought a set of Wellgo MG1's and a pair of Shimano AM40's.
Had to change the way I pedal slightly but now loving them. It's reassuring to know you can bale if it starts to go wrong. That extra confidence means in reality you attack stuff harder.
At first they felt very inefficient compared to clipless but don't notice now.
The AM40's are brilliant - comfy, loads of grip and I like the look of them (although you can't really see them for mud at the moment)
I switch back and forth between flats & spd's, but lately I've just stuck with the flats. I've more confidence when I'm using flats, so I then ride better on technical stuff, jumps and drops etc. If it's just for xc where putting the miles in is my priority then I'll stick the spd's on.
Give yourself a few rides to get used to riding with flats again. Id a nightmare when i went back to them after spds with my feet constantly coming off the pedals in jumps/drops. Just had to relearn the techniques for riding with flats. Stick with it though, It's good to be able to use both comfortably.
I'm using superstar ultra mags with 5/10's which I'm very happy with. Superstar nano's are also very good pedals. Oh, and I find I prefer to drop the saddle about an inch when riding flats.
Another falts returnee here too.
I wasn't sure how I'd get on after years of SPDing, so stuck some Welgo V12 reps on the commuter and went from there.
It took a few rides and finally it click with regard to hopping over logs etc.
Still need to prcatice the jump side of things, but its getting there.
It gets a bit tasty ridng rigid on flats on steps and stairs though.
Got flats on the rigid SS and the SS 29er(both HT's). But have kept the SPD's for the bouncer, which is the bike I use for the rocky stuff and found I was bounced about a little too much for my liking.
I ride the flats with Shimano MP90's which are quite subtle and grippy enough.
What about Minaar 5.10s?
Minnaars are SPD shoes.
Stick with 5-10 Impacts and Superstar Nanos and you cant go far wrong
Can't recommend AM40's enough, sad to hear they're now discontinued, AM41's don't look as nice IMO. Pedal wise I like Easton Flatboys and DMR v12's, the new DMR Vaults looks nice too.
Check this out.
[url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/reviews/online-grouptest-flat-pedals/ ]Flats review[/url]
Minnaars are SPD shoes. Stick with 5-10 Impacts
Oooh I didn't know 5.10 made SPD compatibles - cool. I have impacts and while they ride great, I think they look gash!
For shoes I just go for anything that's like a skate or bmx shoe - Vans, Etnies, Duffs, Orchid etc. Vans waffle sole grip the best for me but they look shit compared to other brands as they're so chunky.
just remember to put your feet with the axel slightly behind the ball of the big toe . all good