Rode flats as a kid, changed to SPDs years ago.
Recently been doing more jumps and technical type riding, found my feet feel too 'loose' even with the tension wound up. I fancied trying my flats so dug out old Fivetens and gave it a go, but I did miss the stiffness and efficiency (yes I can tell a difference) of being clipped in.
Currently I have Shimano XC50 shoes and M530 'trail' pedals - the ones with a small platform. This makes absolutely zero difference as you can't feel it.
So - are there any pedals/shoes/combos in which the flat 'cage' part of the pedal can actually be felt underfoot, and provides some support?
I want to be clipped in with some relatively stiff soles but I also want the large flat contact area you get with flats, to provide support and stability when going gets rough and/or wheels in the air.
Surely if you have a stiff sole you're not going to feel any platform?
In my clipless days, I found Five10 maltese falcon and CB Mallets to be a good combo.
Shimano just launched pile of new aggressive pedals, not out yet but look good. Saint has big platform and pins in it, otherwise crank bros.
I'd love to know too.
Like the idea of clipless so I never having to concentrate on feet coming off, but can't bear not having feel and connection with the bike like you would on flats with a flexi sole. Hate the feel of loosely rotating on a small pint like clipless feels, want my foot to be cupped and supported, to feel through it.
DOn't think it exists.
crank brothers work well for me,
going from mallets to candys feel a big loss in platform & support, so need much stiffer shoes
found my feet feel too 'loose' even with the tension wound up
did you try renewing your cleats si.
I only ever experiance this when ive worn out the cleats , find a new set sorts out that feeling instantly.
Hate the feel of loosely rotating on a small pint like clipless feels, want my foot to be cupped and supported, to feel through it.
Conversely I find SPDs feel more connected to me. Yes, you can pivot (slightly) but your foot is fixed in the same place every time and it's a very direct mechanical connection to the rear of the bike. Compared to a squishy rubber sole and a floppy shoe it feels more controlled for me.
Don't get me wrong, I do ride flats as well at various times for various reasons, but connection to the bike is not one of them!
There seems to be two different ethoses with platform SPDs. Shimano's way is use the platform to help you clip in, and then the platform becomes redundant (E.g. with their 'trail' pedal series). From what I hear, Mallets seem to offer a bit more support when you're clipped in AND a bigger platform when you're not. Maybe that's what you're after, paired with a more flexible sole than the Shimano shoes you're currently using? I don't know what the new Saint SPDs will be like - they might be closer to what you're after.
Any clipless pedal with a platform that contacts the shoe is going to cause difficulties clipping in or out.
