Flat Pedals Vs Clipless Pedals | Which Is Fastest On Rough MTB Trails?
VloĆŸit
- Äas pĆidĂĄn 8. 08. 2021
- It's one of the oldest debates in mountain biking - flat pedals or clipless pedals, which is better? Rich thought he'd find out which option fares best on rough and rocky terrain through two timed runs on the gnarly trails of the Dolomites. Watch now to see which pedal was fastest!
Subscribe to Global Mountain Bike Network: gmbn.eu/subscribe
Explore our new GMBN T-shirts and more! gmbn.eu/2pg
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook! @globalmountainbikenetwork & sign up to the GMBN newsletter: gmbn.eu/newsletter
Submit your content to our uploader: upload.gmbn.com/ we love to check out what you have been up to and may feature it on the show!
Do you ride with flats or clips?
Watch more on GMBN...
đč gmbn.eu/UltimateDHHardtail
đč gmbn.eu/50to01DayInTheLife
đ” Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound
ES_Blood of Garuda - Carvings.mp3
ES_Flashes From the Red Sun - Carvings.mp3
ES_Namu - Sillaba.mp3
ES_Numb to It (Instrumental Version) - Nbhd Nick.mp3
ES_Octane - STRLGHT.mp3
ES_Power Grit - Sven Karlsson.mp3
ES_Sailing Anima - Rand Aldo.mp3
ES_Salty Hair - Sight of Wonders.mp3
ES_Traffic Jam - Sillaba.mp3
#GMBN #MountainBiking #MountainBike #MTB #BikeLife #Cycling
Click here to buy GMBN T-shirts, hoodies and more: gmbn.eu/GMBNShop
The Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) is the worldâs largest and fastest-growing online mountain bike channel and community - and your destination for the best mountain bike content in the world.
GMBN is dedicated to inspiring and unlocking your riding potential. Our videos cater to fans of every mountain bike discipline: from mile-munching cross-country (XC) riders, through adrenaline-fuelled dirt jumpers, gravity-hungry downhillers or aspiring enduro racers, and beyond.
Every day of every month, our ex-pro presenting team are on hand to entertain and inspire you while also providing a uniquely qualified insight into the world of mountain biking. Every week we deliver original daily video that include:
Adventurous and entertaining features
Mountain bike skills coaching
Technical advice and guidance
Mechanical know-how to keep you rolling
A place for the riding community with our weekly Dirt Shed Show
Thanks to our sponsors:
Canyon Bikes: gmbn.eu/Canyon
Nukeproof Bikes: gmbn.eu/nukeproof
Orbea Bikes: gmbn.eu/Orbea
Park Tool: gmbn.eu/ParkTool
POC helmets and eyewear: gmbn.eu/POCsports
Crankbrothers Pedals: gmbn.eu/crankbros
Shimano Footwear: gmbn.eu/ShimanoShoes
Dainese Protection: gmbn.eu/Dainese
Ergon: gmbn.eu/ergon
Vittoria Tires: gmbn.eu/Vittoria
FSA: gmbn.eu/fsa
e*thirteen: gmbn.eu/EThirteen
Spank: gmbn.eu/Spank
Topeak: gmbn.eu/topeak
Garmin: gmbn.eu/Garmin
Muc-Off - gmbn.eu/Muc-Off
Crankbrothers Seatposts: gmbn.eu/8b
Komoot: gmbn.eu/Komoot
Worx Power Tools: gmbn.eu/Worx
CZcams Channel - gmbn.eu/GMBNsubs
Instagram - gmbn.eu/GMBNIG
Facebook - gmbn.eu/GMBNFB
Twitter - gmbn.eu/GMBNTW
GMBN Shop - gmbn.eu/gmbnshop
GMBN Tech - gmbn.tech/subscribe
EMBN - embn.me/subscribe
Leave us a comment below! - Sport
![Clipless vs flat pedals, which is right for you on a mountain bike? [TrailTalk Series]](/img/n.gif)
Do you ride with flats or clips?
Flat
Flats
I ride flats but my dad is obsessed with clips
Flat shimanođ
I ride flats bro
Rode clipless for 20 years... then had to use flats for a skills camp. That changed my mind completely. 5 years on flats now and haven't looked back.
What made you kick the clips?
@@nyreppin1 after a couple of days of sessioning features over and over, on and off the bike, I just found that I really preferred it...then in the process of getting used to the flats, I found that I was still able to stay very connected, didn't feel like I lost any efficiency, and felt like I was actually developing better technical skills. And I can finish a ride and walk right into the coffee shop without any click-clack. :D ;)
Are there any scenarios where you would rather have clips?
@@nyreppin1 I ride flats. Been on it for almost 15 years now. But I someone asks me that question, I would wonder how to ride on clips when doing uphills. :)
It depends on the use case, with clipless pedals you can put more power down, especially uphill. A Mountainbike is for riding not pushing :D
When is the industry going to stop calling pedals that use 'clips'....clipless? It's bonkers I tell thee!
it goes back to toe clips i think, but i agree
Clipless means no straps, feet used to be strapped to pedals in days gone by!!!
I know mate but it's 2021!
@@clifftonsfly You're right. We should all just disregard the actual history behind the terminology and just make up our own new one. Society is doing that everywhere else so why not in cycling also. SMH
â@@travistweedle9674 At no point did I suggest anything you have written in your post. Shalom!
So hereâs a different perspective on the subject. I started mountain biking in the early 90âs and took about 20 years off to raise a family. Iâve been back riding about 2 years now. In the 90âs I exclusively ran clip pedals mostly because flats were horrible back then. Back then bikes werenât as capable as they are today so the ride was much rougher and almost demanded clips. Today bikes are faster with better geometry and vastly improved suspension. I currently ride flats (stamp 7âs). Being an older rider I can still go fast but my reactions arenât what they used to be, it also takes longer to heal from an injury. For me flats are the way to go. My feet still feel planted on the bike and donât slip but I can get them off much quicker. In short if your an older rider flats may be for you. Mentally they give you more security and confidence which translates into more fun on the trail and thatâs what mtb is all about.
I had a similar experience. I was into it in the 90s as well but gave it up because I spent more time fixing the bikes than the time spent riding them. I went full send into street bmx until I was to beat up from it, then go back into mtb. I was 35 when I came back to mtb. I find that clips are short cut to actually learning how to move on your bike. I see a lot ,âbuy this, it will make you betterâ instead of spending some time sessioning something til you get it wired. I also see some really kitted out riders that are doing everything they can to not learn any techniques and blame the gear. Speaking of bikes. The bikes are sooooooo much better than they were back then! In every possible way!And there is all this free how to stuff on CZcams!
Exactly!!!
Good choice
If You Go FAST Or DO AIRTIME Flats Are DANGEROUS .
I assume your basing that on the fact that all slope style riders, dirt jumpers, trials riders and freeriders exclusively use clips. Oh and Sam Hill is slow. If you have good flat peddles and shoes intended for flats they are very good and your feet are secure on the peddles. Iâve rode both and neither is better or more dangerous than the other. Both have their pros and cons. The only point I was making is flats may be a better choice for older riders. Itâs all personal preference. You do you bro!
I rode flats for a long time and it was fun for downhills but I always failed on the really tough steep and loose climbs. Ever since I switched to clipless, I've been able to get up those tough climbs without stopping.
Shoe selection has to be mentioned with flats. When I was a new rider I was unaware how much of a difference real mtn bikes shoes made until I finally bought some. I was just wearing training shoes before, dumb I know. But wow, it blew me away how the rubber on proper mtn bike shoes gripped the pedals, it was amazing.
And the support. Normal shoes flex way too much and after a full day of riding your feet will be absolutely burning.
@@MitchzPlayground very very true. Just went riding with my brother who wore trainers and after the DH he was complaining that the bottom of his feet hurt. The flex got him just like you said.
i have been rocking a pair of old timbs for my rides and they have been working rather well, mostly because the out sole is made out of thick rubber. im not sure how much of an improvement real mtb shoes would make, maybe i should get me a pair next summer...
The Faster You Go With Flats The Worse It Gets ......
I think the way you have to weight your feet on flats might actually be why the bike is faster since it drives you weight into the suspension and helps keep the bike planted and allows harder sends. I have been playing with both flats and clips for the last year trying to solve this (I prefer enduro style riding). I haven't really timed the difference but what I do notice is that I do come off the bike more with flats but when I do come off with clips the crashes are way worse.
Tried both downhill and will stick with flats thanksâŠ.. clips s are me downhill, good for uphill and xc, but I like the feeling I have with flats downhill, it feels actually safer to me
Bro, just put a pedal clip in one side and a flat in the other side, best of two worlds baby
...and always the wrong side will be on the top :DD
Lol
i've been on flats for years, recently tried SPD's, they are amazing, ive orded some mallet DH pedals . my confidence has gone through the roof and i can bike further and longer now.
Just ordered pair of MKS XC-III Bear Traps yesterday. Nostalgic 80s feels & my shins are gonna hate me!
Flat pedals just won a medal!
Rode clips for 24 years. Getting older so decided to try flats for more secure feeling of not being locked in and being able to get out quick if needed. Did not affect my climbing, actually improved it. Not going back.
I ride flats. I want to see the crash data more than the time data. Compare injuries using flats vs clips. Does the bike cause or increase injuries to clipped in riders. Do bike parks have such data as I don't suggest seeing gmbn riders testing endos.
Be interesting but you always come out well before you hit the ground, its the getting in that takes time.
I rode flats for ages. Recently I switched to clips, rode fort william DH world cup track and its safe to say I will not be going back to flats. Clips are the way forward!
So I was riding flats and my foot slipped off and messed my foot up so Iâve been doing research to see if it worth it for clips and this helped thank you
I ride both, depending on my mood and/or where I'm riding. If the route will include a lot of climbing or will simply be a long ride then I lean towards clipless. they are simply easier for me to ride on. If the ride is more "session" where we'll stop to look at features and/or hike back up to ride something a few times, then I'll ride flats. Mostly because it's just easier for me to get back on the bike and going again. I haven't raced in a few years, but when I raced DH clipless were usually what I used. I don't know if I'd run them now as I'm less concerned about trying to get results and just want to have fun on the bike and I agree flats are generally more fun.
I agree with another user comment about how modern bikes and pedals/shoes make riding with flats easier.
Looked like you were straight lining and monster trucking sections on the flats that you were picking lines more thoughtfully on with the clips? Basically brute forced 9 seconds out thatâs awesome đđ€
Always used clips as that it was my mates were using when I got into mtb in my mid 30's. Never had an issue clipping out when I've needed too either. Too old now to learn how to ride flats now anyway. :)
Thank you for the informative video. I have never rode clips due to the gnarly terrain in the Arizona deserts. Blue skies, Jg
Have ridden clips for 20 years , nowadays I don't ride such severe terrain as I used to so I'll stick with what I've got, saying that, my brother has always ridden flats and continues to do so yet we are evenly matched out on the trails .....great video Rich...đ
Great vidéo, Thanks
Guys, i have a question. I've been using stiff, XC style spd shoes for 15+ years. However, i'm looking for something more walk-friendly as i'm not racing anymore, but i enjoy exploring and riding on more technical terrains. The Crackbrothers Mallet E looks promising (i like its more natural foot shape as i have wide flat feet), but i'm not sure about one thing: do these enduro-style shoes work well with those tiny SPD pedals? Or do i need one with a bigger platform because they have have a softer, more flexible sole, so the small pedal would be uncomfortable during long rides? What is your experience, are these shoes actually good for hard pedaling?
Iâm really liking my Shimano AM702âs with Shimano DX (bmx style) pedals. You should look âem up
Awesome video as always thank you for all the wonderful entertainment! I wish you all the best from me and my Channel!â€ïžâ€ïž
Love your videos
Great video. I've been riding flats only and I was thinking of trying clips soon. But after seeing this video I'm in no hurry to switch. I'll stick with flats until I get bored with them.
Nice vid! and what a surprise! Just watched this because I've been thinking about switching back to clips because I've been getting bounced around on a couple of rough DH's. Though maybe that's ok...
Thanks Rich...I am a clip guy . I feel a lot more in control , especially on hills ,on 3 bikes , road gravel and mountain ! Im just an old guy that loves to ride , but , I do switch when I do rocky trails though . I feel safer , knowing I can get off the bike in a hurry ? Peace
Clips!! Definitely for climbs and speed. Minus skills sections where flats may feel more safe, Iâve never had an issue in clipping/unclipping at will and when things go awry!! đ€đœ Final thought, whatever feels natural and provide a confident approach to riding then whatever you choose..SHRED IT!
I like to ride both. I think clips are better, but only if itâs dryer and you know the track/trail really well. Otherwise flats are really good fun and give more confidence. Iâve always rode flats from trials so took a bit of getting use to going to clips.
Think Pro Riders Or Racers Use Clips ..... im Setting a System up Now Kinda Done with Flats they Suk For Jumping.
great video. now I am thinking of switching back to flats..
I think for highly skilled riders it's less different because you're skilled enough and less likely to need to get out of the clips where average riders might be intimidated by not being able to put a foot down as easily. I ride clips but that's definitely what is in my head. As I've gotten older and a little less confident in what I'm willing to risk I've been considering flats.
I love flats but clips have their pros obviously, if you feel like that Iâve seen something call the magped or something like that which uses a magnetic kind if clip that magnets to the pedal enough for pedalling with one foot and for the rough but you can get off of them pretty easily in a crash or something, havenât tried them though but itâs just another option I guess
"As I've gotten older and a little less confident in what I'm willing to risk"
Me too. And I want to keep riding for a LONG time. So its going to be flats for the foreseeable future.
agree clipless only become much more benefitial when its a good rider using them, altough at a high level there isnt a big difference that is only when comparing with good flat pedals and great new shoes, flats can be substantially less gripy when you start loosing pins and the sole gets to riped
Flats. I started with BMX (many years ago) and just can't imagine clipping my feet to the bike. But I can see why others like to clip in...
I used to ride clips on the enduro rig and flats on the commuter bike. Haven't been commuting much for the last year and a half, for some mysterious reason... I don't even own a commuter bike anymore.
I miss it. Might stick some flats on the big bike one of these days.
I started on flats...
Then rode a mixture of the two for a while...
Now it's only clipless...
Both are funđ
I have found that on that type of gnarly high speed dh I move my feet out about 1 inch on my flats to get my legs as wide as possible on my hardtail. Sometimes I can feel the outer edge of the pedal sticking up almost on the center of my shoe. This allows me to throw the bike more sideways on certain turns. I also tend to move them in a bit on boring climbs for higher efficiency.
im using 2cm pedal extenders and it feels awesome, with standard setup it felt like my knees would hit the top tube sometimes :D
After 5 years on SPD this year I bought Crankbrothers flat pedals and Oneal flat mtb shoes.Main purpose of buying flats was to learn wheely, track stand, etc. Even flat pedals grips very good on flat MTB shoes, difference is noticeable on trail.
IMO for general trail riding over roots, rocks, stairs, climbing... clips are 10 times better. I feel much more confidence with SPD than on flat pedals. No matter how you positioning your foot on flat pedal (heal down) during rocky trail, SPD is just better. Im also much more confident on jumps with SPD than with flats.
I was like that but now I like flats for everything even on the rough, ok sometimes youâll need to really put your heels down but you are having fun and fun is fast, btw about jumping not saying you are, but do you use your spd to pull up the rear wheel? because when you get used to flats jumping feels safer and much fun you can do tricks and stuff and lots of people think that as well. But anyway run what you dig what makes you confident and has you smiling
Flat rider for quite a few years now but racing enduro on hardtail I have been getting bounced abit and considering changing to clips for racing. Be interested to see this done again but with no rear suspension!
Rode flats for years, last year or so on clips and my riding improved more than rest of time been riding, less to worry about and no more pedals to shins. I though it be scary being attached but you get out so easily when used to it. Much is personal preference though.
I learnt to jump and ride on flats in the 90s. When SPD came, I had to have it. When I took up mountain biking again a few years ago, I begun on flats, because I thought I would have had forgotten to ride SPDs. No, I still remembered. SPD all day, every day.
Same for me. When I first got on to SPD in the 90:s (fully rigid cr-mo MTB) it absolutely transformed my riding. Now when I got back into riding after no riding for a decade, it still "just clicked" for me, pun intended. :-P
That said, I have a feeling that flats are better today than what we had back then and they are more viable to use due to full suspension bikes. It'd be real interesting to see Rich do this experiment again but on a hardtail.
Clipless are superior to me but i prefer flats because it gives me more confidence even though i come from racing road bikes and xc in clips. But rough terrain or on jumps in flats gives me the extra confidence i can bail easy and get back on pedals. I have no problem to be quick with clicking out but its always a mess to clip back in in a race speed.
Exactly, clips are easier. So if you want easier, go clips. If you want to stay sharp/get better, go flats. Not to mention itâs much easier to bail and dab with flats, and as a result I shred just a little harder on flats. Your mileage may vary.
Flats might be a bit more rough on your legs on the rowdy stuff. I never used clipless pedals as I'm one of those people that really don't like the idea of being so firmly attached to the bike.... but I found a middle way: magnetic pedals. Basically instead of the cleat you bolt a steel plate under the SPD shoes and the pedals have powerful magnets on them. They need some tweaking to find the perfect position for the magnet and the plate and once set correctly (it might take a few rides) I think they definitely help on the very rough terrain, making you feel a bit more confident you are not going to slip a pedal. However they still fully rely on the friction and the pins on the pedals gripping into your shoes, the magnet simply keeps the shoe and the pedal close together, so it's very important the magnet is at the right height, not to interfere with the grip between the shoe and the pins. If you are used to flats you will feel quite at home with magnetic pedals, without any worry of being attached to the bike as there is nothing really special in the "unclipping", there are plenty of movements to "unclip" very easily and they feel natural. In the worst case just add a bit more force and the magnet will give eventually.
Just borrowed a mates clips to try 2 weeks ago went and bought my own straight away it helps so much riding a hardtail not having your feet bucked off over any rough stuff then having to reposition your foot not I can use that time to throw a pedal in I love it
Still a bit sketchy on it but the CB mallets are so easy to clip out of there isnât really anything to worry about
I actually think that you lower your total center of gravity with flats (due to heal drop and generally standing a bit lower to not bounce off the pedals in rough sections) making for a bit more side grip in turns and better overall balance... and when you have your foot out (happens) you are faster to connect with the pedal again an therefore gain fractions of seconds there as well. :-)
Iv been on flats for years and only recently bought some clipless pedals an shoes, if I'm honest I feel more confident on steap sections on flats and when in come to tackling tec climbing because I'm always worried about uncliping if I can't make it but on fast down hills with roots and rocks the klipps are king for me, so much confidence in that my feet are staying where they are I can push much harder. Oh and all out speed on single track (push-pull) way more efficient đ€ so I like both flats and clips, just for different reasons.
Started with rat traps in 84. Clip-less in 90, flats in 98. Riding tec. and elevated improved 25% with flats. Being able to shift your feet around on the petals while youâre riding gives you improve balance. It just takes a little bit of getting used to keeping your heels down.
I tried clips for a year or so when I first started getting serious about MTB in 2006 but often had issues with them and never felt too comfortable with being locked in at times. Also, I just have one bike which I like to just hop on and ride around my area sometimes and like the idea of not having to switch out my shoes so flats have been the better option for me. There are no doubt benefits of clips but for my typical riding, flats work fine. Coincidently, I actually just ordered the flats in this video (the Stamp 7 Large) to see if it helps me feel a bit more stable compared to my somewhat narrow flats that I have now.
I've never ridden clips, always flats and I would like to give them a go and not just for the descent but the climbs too. However, I'm not really willing to experiment at a ÂŁ120+ outlay. Not when I need new rotors, chain, sealant and valves on my bike and a tonne of maintenance/new parts on the kids and wife's bikes.
You need a Good Syetem for You and Your Riding Definitely Get Adj. Pedals . If you ride Fast Vear away from Flats imo clips are alot more Effective
I rode clipped in for over 30 yrs. took some time off and returned on a emtb with flats. Thereâs a huge difference in handling line choices and playfulness using clips BUT my new bike goes faster downhill has way better suspension and Iâm a lot older and injury aversion in #1 in my mind. It took a few months to get comfortable in all riding conditions and Iâve stayed with flats. I do miss being clipped in and will get an upgraded pair for more trail/xc adventure rides. Iâm my everyday riding in Lake Tahoe though Iâll keep riding flats.
What flat shoes would you recommend for a whole day XC/Trail trip in the summer
After a while on clipless I got some Crankbrothers duel pedals. Mainly to use the flat side when practicing some skills like manuals and wheelies. My first reward was some nice MTB tatoos on my shins! Guess I got too used to clipless!đ
Guess either your pedals or your sneakers are not good // not compatible with each other. I actually have too much grip on my flat pedals to the point that I have to sort of unclip myself at times.
@@nestserau yip. First ride with normal clipless shoesđ€Šââïž. Quickly got myself flat shoes (Leaths) with cleats. Foot technique was also a big culprit. Just replaced my shoes with the new Specialized F2O Roost clipless. Best shoes I've had so far!
Coming from a BMX background back in the 80's and recently took up cycling again I feel more comfortable on flats but on my BMX and freestyle bikes I've always rode with the bigger mountain bike pedals as they were more sure footed.
I used to ride both, but when I had one to many nasty crashes with clipless I switched to flats and never looked back. Never had a really bad crash with flats and that's because, I recon, they give more confidence when riding.
I tried clipless and it was better for climbing and xc but not by much for the mixed biking I do. I'm used to flats I don't have any issues with bumps and rough dh runs, so its flats for me.
My personal though is your posture make the different, with clip you let "more" the bike working for you cause your are safely glued to it.
With flats you said it yourself you're forced to stay in a more attack position to keep the pedal under your feet and casually you role over obstacles more efficiently. And for a little parts of the camenbert, obviously you're a little more aggressive with flats cause of the security feeling it procure.
Chromag Dagga's and Shimano Saint PD-M828's both have really aggressive pins size and layout, it's very hard losing the grip with your shoe with them, make you think if SPD's are really necessary anymore for racing.
I find clips to be amazing for both climbing steep sections and steep mountain decent. Living in Colorado so I enjoy being clipped in on the mountains.
Hey guys , like your videos but you never talked about magped pedals and my friend have it and its awesome
Im just waiting to finish my shoes đ€Ł
For me clips are suicide in downhill. Once I saved my life by jumping off the bike in one nasty situation, wonder what would happen if I was on SPDs. I use them for XC and long distances, but before downhill or technical climbs I unclip or even push bike.
Metal music and shredding
I ride a less capable xc hardtail.. I find clips allow me to ride with a lot more precision especially when the trails are rough, and also less fatiguing on longer rides
I ride clips. How ever I do have some flats which I use for between 1 and 3 ride every 2 to 3 months. When I used my flats last Thursday riding the Follow the Dog at Cannock Chase. I didn't really enjoy the ride. I had to really concentrate to keep the pedals under my feet and not ripping holes in my shins. I did ride everything I normally ride clipped in. I also had to stop 4 times as my position on the bike is different between clips and flats. As a result my hand kept going numb using the flats. Either that or fear has given a death grip when on flats.
you have become used to the flats doing everything for you so you rely on them. you have to rely on technique and skill set with flats and proper form. ive seen the worst form and techniques from clipped riders. you should start riding flats way more and put the clips up unless your climbing specifically
As someone who falls 2-4 times a ride (more of them are big than I care to admit), I'd probably be dead had I been riding clips lol
Its all preference, neither are perfect. I prefer clips by far for pedaling efficiency and traction when I fail a steep climb and have to hike it. Getting unclipped has never been an issue for me and I have been over the bars more times than I can count. But sometimes it really can be annoying trying to get re-clipped in a hurry.
Did bmx when young, have done 20 years enduro dirtbikĂŻng, so wide crankbrothers flats make me feel at home. In no way I want to be attached to the bike. When you look at crash videos, I have a feeling that clipped in people slam a lot harder.
I recently Switched back to flats After Falling twice clipped in. Up to now, There is no loss of Power - I guess Iâll Stick with flats đ
+1 for a magnetic pedal trial! I've been riding a pair for some time now (for XC though) and I absolutely love them. Sure, my particular model has a couple of implementation issues and they take a little time to get use to. But the concept is great, and I will not go back to SPD or flats ever.
Would like to see a comparison of magnetic pedals
Flats!!! With the Stamp or Chester you can't go wrong!
Needed to do that on a hardtail.
Depends:
Clips - Long cross country rides, long climbs, loose and rough terrain.
Flats - Big jumps, skinnies, anything that pushes your danger threshold.
It's clips for me, because it makes the most sense for most of my rides. When I'm pushing my danger threshold, I back the pins right off to make sure I can easily escape.
Flats all the way! Run clips for about 6 months and loved them for everything you said (even jumping which I was surprised about) but due to an old knee injury playing up I have to rotated my foot slightly when pedaling standing which I can't do on clips. However, not disappointed as I love flat pedals as well so for me just personal preference and what you feel comfortable with
You can adjust your clip on shoes in different directions.
@@bitumen83 hi mate, thank you for the suggestion!! unfortunately not, I need to do sort of a rotate and a little lift of the inside of my foot. I've tried riding with clips but my foot unclips (only occasionally) when sprinting because of the way I have to move my foot which is really scary when it happens so just stay clear now đđ
Hard to explain and 100% only a problem that applies to me and my dodgy knee đ
@@irfuel yeah mate exactly. I have only been using shimano am45s and XT clips so perhaps a more modern and expensive shoe and pedal combination might have more adjustability and solve my problem. However, my point in the post was that for me, I dont feel any performance advantage or disadvantage between the both but for comfort and confidence, I run flats (but I know I am the minority đđ)
Flats here but people have been recommending that I switch. Choices!
Have always been told when tuning dampers/springs that flats need deeper sag than clips to give more pedal grip-does this still hod true?
I ride flats for ca. 3-4 months of the year, during the fall-winter-spring season. The time when I ride in the worst of mud, ice and snow packed trails. I feel that flats give me a sense of security in the worst of conditions, knowing that when I fall, I will not be stuck onto the bike. Also little dabs are much faster, without needing to unclip.
OTOH, in summertime, when the trails offer more grip and are more uneven, because of the rocks etc. I feel more confident using clipless. I do have to say that after not riding MTB for about 15 years and riding only flats for more than 10 years it was terrifying to ride clipless for the first 6-8 weeks. Had to build confidence taking things very easy.
990 & Electric in Canazei đ
How do you dab an inside foot out in a tight berm with clips?
For what it's worth... If you are thinking about crossing over from clipless to flat pedals, I recommend doing your best cheap demo by finding some flats off another bike, even if they're cheap, and putting them on your bike. Try to get a pair of your flattest bottomed shoes and go for a ride on a trail you'd usually find yourself on. Ride the flows and ride the chop. You'll likely get an understanding on whether or not it's worth moving to flats. I did this because I found the flat pedals and shoes appealing to the point where I was hell-bent on buying some cool new gear. After my demo ride with low end flat pedals and vans, I realize I prefer clipless. Just a perspective from an intermediate level rider.
Unless you have the tension too tight, getting out of clips isn't an issue.
Of course it depends where you live and what kind of riding for your preferences - I've got almost 100% XC with as much up as down. No way am I doing all that tech climbing unclipped, IDC what anyone else uses...
Perfect timing, I use clips on all bikes including a fixed gear, I find on the ebike clips are getting a bit scary. So I've ordered flat pedals today, slippy mud and chalk with clips isn't good up or down so I'll try flats.
Been riding flats since the 70's (BMX). Tried clipless two years ('93-'94) and always hated them. Running flats since
Coming from BMX I started out on flats (actually caged) pedals in the 90s. But that's because it was toe clips or caged. I didn't use the lame MTB caged pedals, I used the gnarly sharp teeth BMX pedals and Vans.
It worked pretty well until I started racing XC. There were climbs that just didn't work well without being clipped in (toe clips at the time). Loooong climbs and I was getting creamed by other riders.
So I forced myself to used toe clips and I was a lot faster climber. But soon after SPDs came out. I switched to Times around 2004 and loved them way better than the Shimano system.
Around 2010 or so, everyone was talking about 510s and flats. I resisted for while and about 4 years ago I got some Freerider 510s and Stolen BMX pedals (plastic body w/metal pins). It was a game changer. Now the only bike I run clips on is my road and CX bike.
So for BMX and DJ bikes I always used platforms (flats) and Vans or the new Ride Concepts Vice shoes. The tan gum rubber type shoes are perfect for jumping and not too grippy.
I find that 510s are too grippy for BMX and DJs, but they are really good for mountain biking! So.....so grippy with a pedal like the RaceFace Chester's or One Up pedals.
If I do an XC race again, I haven't for awhile, I might consider clipping in. But otherwise I am sold on 510s and good pedals........the setup .matters!
I don't care how rough it gets. I rode Trestle Bike Park just fine on flats and I knew at any time I could bail without being stuck to my bike.
You are a skilled rider. That's the difference.
You definitely unleashed your inner Sam Hill right there on flats đ
I just canât deal with the idea of being attached to the bike when things go pear shaped.
I use Shimano SPD clips and I have found they haven't caused my problems when things are going pear shaped.
They are easy to clip in and out of (if they are not adjusted tight) so if I am crashing they have always just unclipped and if I need to I can still quickly put a leg out without much resistance from the clips.
@@JeremyPetho might give them a try mate. I have been toying with clips for ages joking aside but been clipped in in a crash is what puts me off but I might give these a go.
If you are new to clips it is good to have them adjusted loosely so you can get out easily and do some practice so it is natural to unclip without thinking about it.
Also having them loose will make it harder to do bad jumping technique by just pulling up on the pedals, because they will unclip if you pull up hard enough.
@@JeremyPetho cheers for the advice mate. Iâm def gunna try that
Sam Hill approves this test:)
I've ridden clips for the majority of the last 20 years mostly in the Peak District. I've got to say, downhill when it gets fast and rocky, particularly with drops I often wish I had flats. Not sure if it is confidence or control.
where do u ride in the peak district?
@@jameswhyte3834 Over the years, most of it really. Used to live in Sheffield, so Dark Peak, Rushop Edge, Cut Gate, Ladybower, Man Tor. Now live in Leek and older, so White Peak Routes, Bakewell, Macc Forest and round the Roaches area.
What would happen if you also had to ride back up those same rough trails? I donât care about the outcome either way but most of us donât live near a ski lift.
Was the clipless run the first time he ran that course, iff so no wonder second run was faster. Because you gained knowledge from first run.
He answered that question precisely - just look and listen
Flats are definitely the way to go. Way more confidence shredding crazy gnar on the flats.
I think clips may have been better in the days of older geo mtb's. But new geo and suspension you can carry speed through things better now. Same ho ebikes are faster downhill
As a roadie whoâs moving to mtb, Iâm going for clipless. My technique has a circular pedal action so my feet lift off the pedals on the upstroke. I donât want to lose this efficiency
@Yippee Skippy agreed except when Iâm being a roadie on the climbs đ€Ł
Hey have you guys ever thought of making a video of you guys riding at Berm Peak in America.
Not sure if you have heard about the track
wew, it shocked me. I used to have flat pedals up until now, ordering my first clipless pedals, and suddenly watch this video. it makes me think twice to switch to new clipless pedals.
being able to ride both depending on your ride plans for that day is a good skill to have though.
@@EmilyHorridge yes, i will learn to fully utilize both type of pedals
I ride clips for natural trails and flats for bikepark.
love from india bro
To be fair, your Stamp 7 pedals are middling at best when compared to the gripiest flat pedals out there. I have ridden damn near every flat pedal out there, and the Stamps lasted one ride for me as I like that 'locked in' feeling out of my flats. < That being said, I'm a big fan of ride whatever the hell you like and don't give a poop what anyone else thinks.
Actually had a pair of stamps and think they are the shittiest flats you can buy! No need to be DMR but have to have their concave feel! I go back and forth but mostly ride clips because the trails here are rough and because I go trough flat pedal shoes like they are made of sponge!
Constipation should be avoided at all costs.
Now do 26' (put in the 27' bike!) vs 29 xD Creazy, but I feel like it's faster. Feeling is like the ride is more bumpy, but bike is so responsive and stiff!
I prefer flat pedals because I feel more secure when going down greetings from Mexico
well neil went to flats too when his trial run where significantly faster on flats
I ride clips, I've been wanting to get back to flats, but every time I try I just don't like the feeling of my feet "dancing" on the pedals.
you need to actively pressure your pedals more on flats. Especially the first few goes after a long time on clips. It's weird to begin with but you soon get back to normal (no dancing feet! Unless your shoe/pedal combo is sub-optimal of course ;-) )
@@EmilyHorridge and drop your heels! I go back and forth so not to lose all the technique.. I do prefer clipless tho