LOve my flat pedals atm but will I get the same pedalling efficiency as spds? Do flats work for xc ss?
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SS mountain bike with flat pedals
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Posted 1 year ago #
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I've only ever used flat pedals with SS
works fine for me
You may get a slightly better pedalling effieciency with SPDs but I prefer to ride with flats so I'm happy to put up with the compromise.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I climb out of the saddle a lot better/faster with spds but I've never really used them off road for anything other than local bridleway flatness.
Posted 1 year ago # -
no,you will die horribly,or at least be mocked/shunned by other SS'erz*
*possibly.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I have never clipped in, even on my fixie.
Posted 1 year ago # -
A mate swears by them.. for every bike.
Me?
I just swear at them.
Apart from on the Heckler...
Posted 1 year ago # -
I prefer flat pedals.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I feel like I get a bit more 'oomph' on out-of-the-saddle climbs pulling up on spd's, but only if you have the rear wheel traction to do so without the back wheel spining out and having your nutsack make a beeline for the stem. Since I built a singlespeed I have certainly worn through SPD cleats faster and in different bits/corners of the cleat, (same pedals/cage tension from the geared bike) so I must be doing something different..?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Yea, out of the saddle climbing is what I'm most concerned about, but I guess trying it is the only way to truly find out
Posted 1 year ago # -
Switched to flats last year. First few rides climbing was harder but once I got used to them I didnt notice the difference at all
Posted 1 year ago # -
The Shimano ones with a plastic cage around the spd for me. Love climbing out the saddle & for that I prefer to be clipped in.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I went to flats last year after a lifetime clipped in. There are some hills you either can't make or have to get off and walk a bit earlier compared to SPDs but it's a good excuse anyway.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Clips on everything but the pub bike
Posted 1 year ago # -
Clips all the way but come winter time my toes feel alot colder cos of the lack of movment.
Posted 1 year ago # -
When I did do it for the best part of a year it was fine. I could keep up/beat the usual people up stuff. Main problem I find is when you rely on the SPD to be able to thrust yourself up something technical by pulling/pushing/dragging. Or just get off and walk :0)
Back on flats on my full sus this year and due to not riding them for years and years my shins hurt after rides over an hour. Slightly different muscle groups used. Might be less of an issue on a SS though as more climbing is stood up. Intending to have another go on the SS with them sometime.
Posted 1 year ago # -
ridden mine flat since I built it. I imagine any spd efficiency gains are minor (especially when you consider the inefficiency of your bike being ss) but you might have difficulty if you are a dedicated spd rider switching for the first time. If you are a hardened flat pedal rider (like I was) then no problems. If you want to get up a big hill just push down and use you upper body and the bars to help.
Go for it and see how you get on is probably the best course of action.
Posted 1 year ago # -
my SS with flats, but it aint a hillclimber
Posted 1 year ago # -
I use flats on all my bikes now including my SS. Only time you may miss not being clipped in is on climbs with a low RPM as you will not be able to pull up (by which point properly quicker to run / push anyway). apart from that if you have good peddling technique and good muscle function in your legs and core then should not make much difference.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Things people constantly told me were 'wrong' about my bike: flat pedals, rigid forks, no gears, niche bars
Furthest I rode that bike off-road in one go: 103 miles
Number of times I wished for SPDs: 0Posted 1 year ago #
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