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I was just finishing off assembling a last few bits for my Winter SS last night and stuck some flats on it to hve a quick spin up and down the road as I was wearing trainers and couldn't be arsed to change shoes...
I'd originally decided to default to SPDs for it as it's really just for XC mud plugging during the winter and SPDs would be more "efficient" but the flats seemed quite nice and comfy on it so it got me wondering it would be better for slogging around muddy woods and stalling up slippy climbs if I was riding Flats, it's a rigid forled 26er with 2:1 gearing at the minute so I can see me sliding off at some point...
So who uses flats or SPDs on their XC SS bikes and Why?
winter shoe options are easier for spds.
i SS's for the first time last night and was pleased I went SPD, you can really get on top of the cranks when lung busting it up the hills, and you don't need to worry about your positioning on the pedal.
I have these on the pompino so when its used as the pub bike I dont have to put my disco slippers on.
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I've tried the single sided pedals and while they were useful on road I found them a pain off road. I've just put flats on my off road winter commuter to try it out. I'll see how I get on.
I use Shimano one side flat one side SPD road pedals..
i use SPDs on my SS, same as i do on my geared bike, winter or summer
I'm not bothering with proper winter boots; last winters solution was some slightly oversized Aldi SPD shoes, chunky socks and over shoes and it actually worked a treat...
I've got some better overshoes this year which I tried out in the wet a couple of months back...
If I was using flats it would be weaing my Duffs 4130s (High) which are pretty good for keeping your feet warm and dry, especially if coupled with thick socks, so either way my feet should stay warm.
I was just wondering what others use and Why, more and more I'm finding myself fiting SPDs to my bikes lately, I've even started trying them on my DH bike, I used to be a Devout Flat user...
So it's either M520s or one of the various sets of flats sat in the spares box that will be used, I'm not buying any new pedals, and certainly not a set of those gopping single sided efforts...
How quickly can you get your foot down when the bike slides on ice?
Flats maybe?
I use flats. I find them better for muddy/icy terrain as I fall off more. It also let's me use normal shoes so I don't have to have a range of spd shoes. I own light weight boots and trainers that I can wear depending on the weather. I only own light weight spds that are freezing because of the mesh vents. Cleats don't get clogged up with ice/mud when using flats. I find it easier to walk (compared to racing stiff spds) if you need to get off an walk/push (again more common in winter when muddy or icy).
I've never noticed an appreciable difference using spds for general riding. Generally I'm the fastest person in the group up a hill so losing a few seconds on a club ride is not a problem. I use spds for racing but prefer flats for general riding.
If you have both just stick the flats on and see how you go. Switching between the two is good fun as it offers variety.
Flats for snow maybe as SPDs packed with snow are a mare but otherwise if you normally run SPDs then stick with them
SPD's, then flat's if it's really cold as there's not room to waggle/curl my toes properly in SPD's so lose circulation over time.
I just don't ride int he rain if I can help it as it's effin miserable and cold, and it'll probably be dry tomorrow.