[Closed] Convince me that flat pedals are the way forward.

give them a go and see how you get on with them on some trails you are familiar with. don't worry about fancy pedals and shoes some cheap v8's from classifieds and skate shoes from tk maxx will be fine for now as you've not lost much if you don't like them and decide to sell on. before fivetens came out i preferred the vans waffle sole type trainers for years, in fact i'm actually thinking of going back due to the cost of fiveten shoes! i've always ridden flats and only got spds a few years ago as i thought it may help for xc riding (which it did) but i'm happy on either. you do have to ride slightly differently but there's not much in it IMO, just ride what you feel comfortable with

Shameless plug, couple of pairs of flats for sale here...

[url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-clearout-various-bits-all-at-15 ]http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-clearout-various-bits-all-at-15[/url]

AlexSimon - Member

Trying both is a great idea, but in practice I've grown really used to SPDs over 22 years (toe straps for some of that).

I tried flats over a few rides (probably 5 hours in total) and just couldn't enjoy the rides as much. Some people would say that I've got bad habits (just picking the bike up at any time with my feet without any forethought for eg). But I just couldn't ride the same.

I mean this kindly but- no s**t sherlock. Of course you couldn't ride the same with only 5 hours experience vs 22 years! You might as well have not bothered if that's all the chance you were going to give it tbh.

I dont get why peoples feet come off flats on rough stuff, must be doing something wrong.

I have never used spd's in 30+ years of riding and I'm not dead yet so flat pedals must be ace..

Having said that.. I'm gonna be the proud owner of spd compatible shoes soon.. so I might give them a wee try..

Have a look at this, he has a lot to say in favour of flats:-
http://www.bikejames.com/q-a/flats-vs-clipless-pedals/
For me I can't ride offroad with spd's seem to be thinking about how I will unclip through a section rather than getting on and riding it, don't get this with flats.

I want an electro magnetic pedal and cleat combo with variable current and a panic button on the bars. That would be a start and then it could be developed with a spincterometer which would automatically release the cleat when things get twitchy.

LOL @ avdave2!

I am hopefully going to win a cheap pair of 2nd hand flatties off the 'bay soon so it will be off to TK Max in the morning.
Not too keen on the thought of second hand shoes... 😳

Not too keen on the thought of second hand shoes..

I have to admit that if you buy one of my spincterometers you may have some trouble in selling it on in the classifieds. Choosing the right size will therefore be crucial, I'll have to work on a non contact measuring tool, perhaps lasers might be the answer.

Why do you need to be convinced they are the way forward? Try both and go for what suits you best.

I dont get why peoples feet come off flats on rough stuff, must be doing something wrong.

Subtle change in foot/pedal position compared with SPDs, and ex SPD users are sometimes less used to keeping their ankles low when coasting. I sometimes get bounced around my flats on my HT - it's mostly down to technique to avoid it.

I dont get why peoples feet come off flats on rough stuff, must be doing something wrong.

Subtle change in foot/pedal position compared with SPDs, and ex SPD users are sometimes less used to keeping their ankles low when coasting. I sometimes get bounced around my flats on my HT - it's mostly down to technique to avoid it.

I don't have any probs with my flats as long as I have good shoes and the pins are sharp. I'm going to try out spd's though to see if they give me more power.

Am sitting reading this with my arm in a sling due to knackered collar bone. Going to order some flats next week...

Will be interesting to try and unlearn/relearn.

Like a lot of others on here, I've been an SPD user for the best part of 20 years and am very comfortable with them and have never had an issue with unclipping in the face of danger, it's just natural to twist my foot as it leaves the pedal. However, I recently bought a new bike, an Orange Blood so thought it was time to try flats, Superstars with AM41s.
I've had the bike 4 months and only now am I starting to get used to them, I still feel a little nervous going over drops, but only when I think about it.
I'm still riding SPDs for longer XC rides on my Five and here's the eye opener, on a number of occassions one of my feet have come unclipped going over rough ground and through corners, which never used to happen. I'm guessing that riding flats has enabled me to distribute my weight better and alter my foot position to suit the terrain and corners etc and I'm now trying to do it on SPDs, but this obviously makes my foot unclip.

I'm still not 100% confident on the flatties and it does feel harder work on climbs but there's is definitely a skills benefit to using them.

I dont get why peoples feet come off flats on rough stuff, must be doing something wrong.

best be trolling 😡 . maybe for the bike youve got, the speed you ride at and the condition of the trails round by you mean theres no problem with flats. correct me if im wrong.

its horses for courses. its easier to get away with flats on a full sus as the bikes not trying to throw you off on every bump. for this reason im sticking with spds (ive got a hardtail) because when youre riding down something bumpy the last thing i want to be thinking about is trying to keep my feet on the pedals.

I dont get why peoples feet come off flats on rough stuff, must be doing something wrong.

Mine did a lot before learning "heels down" and also now I have the pedals less on the ball of my foot and more in the middle over rough stuff. I've also found new shoes tend to be too stiff to start with and seem to lose my pedals quite regularly til they've worn in enough.

Flat pedal shoes are wider and a hell of alot more comfy than SPD shoes.
SPD pedal accidents for me is shattered collarbone, spd moment on the side of a car £800 bill, fell down a near vertical banking trying to clip in to go down the banking ect ect ect
Flat pedal accidents, 4 tiny tempary holes in my shin when foot came off pedal.
So flats are the way forward, unless you are a xc / race rider.
In total SPD pedals have cost me around £3k in lost wages and repair bills.
Toms right, heels down and use pedals in middle of feet, takes a little getting used to but that is how you HAVE to ride.

float - Member

Its easier to get away with flats on a full sus as the bikes not trying to throw you off on every bump. for this reason im sticking with spds (ive got a hardtail) because when youre riding down something bumpy the last thing i want to be thinking about is trying to keep my feet on the pedals.

Then don't think about it, it's only asking for trouble. Put it another way, do you ride around on your SPDs thinking "twist to unclip twist to unclip" or do you just do it when you have to? Same thing- a basic skill that once learned keeps you safe without you thinking about it. Absolutely nothing to do with the bike, if I can ride a hardtail on downhill courses despite being really not a particularily good rider, then so could anyone.

Or don't, of course, if you're happy then there's no reason to change BUT, but but... Your SPDs are covering up a technique failing here I think, if you rely on them to keep connected. The skills that keep you on the pedals with flats translate equally onto SPDs and help you ride with the bike rather than against it, which in turn helps keep you in control. Over the terrain that'd kick you off on flats, you're still being kicked around, just that you're taking the bike with you and giving it and you a harder job to do rather than being in unison with it.

Speaking from experience here 😉 I made the swap for medical reasons and I hated it at first but figured out after a while it was me that was the problem not the pedals. I had no choice but to carry on where a lot of people would stop.

I have never ever failed to get my feet out of my clips except for the first 5 minutes of using them about 15 years ago. I am using Time atacs so maybe others who have had the problem had them done up too tight or using something else. The only problems I have had is when they are too loose and my foot has come out due to me being a tight git and not replacing the cleats when they were worn.

Last time I went to the Alps I forgot my clips and rode the whole time with flats. That was fine to. I do find SPDs comfier though and got a pulled ligament in my foot from wearing 661 shoes. SPD shoes are a lot more supportive and stiff (Just to counteract the person above.)

What I really like about SPDs then is the comfort and the ability to help with technical climbs. I have no idea if this is true or not but I would say no XC racers use flats, plenty of DH racers use clips, and no dirt jumpers use them so that should give you enough to go on.

well, I will hopefully found out soon as I managed to bag a 2nd hand pair of slim flat pedals on ebay for £4.99 today.
I might just give them a go with my regular skate-ish trainers as a visit to Leisure lakes today suggested an outlay of £65+ for shimano or even more for 5-10....

Flat pedal shoes are wider and a hell of alot more comfy than SPD shoes.

I don't think that is a rule. The northwave missions I have use a vibram sole and are almost walking boots but still very comfy to ride in. My only other concern with flats for general use would be the grip when pushing/carrying/hiking. Surely that flat soles are rubbish for that?

yes..that AE carnage corner video does show the weakness of flat soled shoes....any way, picked up a pair of airwalk skate shoes today at tkmax for £20. When the pedals turn up it will be up to Norland moor for a razz. If you see a very bright white revolving halo shape then don't worry, it's just the shoes.

Any news on the spincterometer..?

wait for fresh goods this week!!!!.