Advice on flat pedals please?

[jimmy hardtail]

Mosh pedals, new balance trail shoes that the tread has worn down a bit. I race dh with this set up and haven't slipped a pedal in ages. The pedals are R150 or so and last a couple of years. Shoes are R500 and I'm on my third pair in 5 years. If I could afford 5.10s I would but they are about R1200 now...

[nolipoli]

I have done plenty of riding with Skater Shoes - I have never had a problem with grip, but would have preferred a stiffer sole to stop the feet from aching. I am waiting for delivery of my 2nd pair of Shimano AM45's, because I left mine at Mankele.They do what I want them to.

 

As far as pedals go, I just picked up a set of these...Lovely! The studs are fastened from the rear, which makes removal or replacement much easier after a few rock strikes.

[braailegend]

Im a bit late in this post.... and I dont want to read the previous post. All I can say, the shoe is more important than the pedal.

 

A Mosh pedal more than good enough, its not you're in Rampage.

[braailegend]

I see you in somerset, got a pair of mosh pedals in the toolbox you can try, good for practice and no way you can break them

[braailegend]

Sorry, last comment, the guy at the skate shop can keep his mouth shut. The last skate shoes that could take proper riding was Vans VMX shoes, all the current shoes are useless. Had a pair of Kustom shoes, got them down to my socks within 3 weeks. My next investment is 5-10.

[braailegend]

mini hijack perhaps, but how grippy are these pinned pedals and the fivetens really?

if I really push down on my heel on descents, will my foot stay on the pedal?

 

what about bunny hopping or other 'aerial manoeuvres' which require pulling up on the pedals? how does this influence things?

 

I'm considering flats too. being cleated and not able to put down a foot quick enough over technical terrain scares the cr*p out of me

 

Sorry, might sound like trolling, but your bunnyhop method is not right, no need for pedals to stick. Your bike follows your motion

 

Edit: Yes I can clear 1m with a still standing bunnyhop

Edited October 25, 2012 by braailegend

[Corvus]

Edit: Yes I can clear 1m with a still standing bunnyhop

 

Wow! If I could bunnyhop that high I wouldn't be looking for a replacement rim right now.

[nickelass]

To me riding downhill over rocks ,and the jumping I now enjoy doing never felt right cleated in.It does require a little time to get "connected "to the bike without the cleats, you have to move your centre of gravity to the correct place and the angle of your foot ,and that feeling of "bouncing " on the pedal with be overcome.

[patches]

I have done plenty of riding with Skater Shoes - I have never had a problem with grip, but would have preferred a stiffer sole to stop the feet from aching. I am waiting for delivery of my 2nd pair of Shimano AM45's, because I left mine at Mankele.They do what I want them to.

 

As far as pedals go, I just picked up a set of these...Lovely! The studs are fastened from the rear, which makes removal or replacement much easier after a few rock strikes.

 

oooh very nice Mr Noli! very nice indeed!

[Anine]

Sorry, might sound like trolling, but your bunnyhop method is not right, no need for pedals to stick. Your bike follows your motion

 

Yes, I think that much has been established

[rudi-h]

how do you guys do the biiiiiiiig bunny hops with flat pedals? I normally just pull the back with my cleats, but if you watch the freeride guys on youtube, they seem to bunny-hop higher than I can jump with flat pedals?

 

Whats the trick there?

[patches]

how do you guys do the biiiiiiiig bunny hops with flat pedals? I normally just pull the back with my cleats, but if you watch the freeride guys on youtube, they seem to bunny-hop higher than I can jump with flat pedals?

 

Whats the trick there?

 

The basic trick is that one needs to lift front then back. Not both at the same time (like most cleated bunny hops).

 

So pull up like you're going to manual, then just before you reach the balance point, move your bars in un upside down J motion. while unweighting the back and with your toes pointing down and feet pusing back.

 

But yeah, it's mostly timeing which comes with practice.

 

[Goosebay]

Yep - you need to be able to at least lift the front wheel.

At first drop your seat as low as it can go to help the learning process.

Start small (always have a target - it helps. A 5 litre plastic bottle is good)

You need to use your legs a bit more than what you think!

Lift the front as you approach, jump to get height *straighten your legs!) and push the bar forward to keep the bike connected to your feet. (the J motion)

Practice is good!

[ThePubSA]

Sorry, last comment, the guy at the skate shop can keep his mouth shut. The last skate shoes that could take proper riding was Vans VMX shoes, all the current shoes are useless. Had a pair of Kustom shoes, got them down to my socks within 3 weeks. My next investment is 5-10.

AREnt Kustoms fongkong

[ThePubSA]

Sorry, last comment, the guy at the skate shop can keep his mouth shut. The last skate shoes that could take proper riding was Vans VMX shoes, all the current shoes are useless. Had a pair of Kustom shoes, got them down to my socks within 3 weeks. My next investment is 5-10.

Guys been riding BMX's for years with skateshoes...

5.9 hop..

None of us doing that GG

[Letum911]

Hey guys, I know I'm stupidly late on this post!!! I'm a trials rider so have a fair amount of experience on flat pedals. I've normal cheap BMX pedal, Crank bro's 5050 and now i'm on Echo pedals. I found that any flat pedal with a big surface and "pegs" sticking out works for me, I did not like the 5050's due to the screw effect. the grip like hell but doesn't always let go of your foot when you need it. The shoe makes a huge difference!!! I love my Element Hi8 skate shoe (Dylan Victor also uses these), but I'm thinking of moving to the Adidas All mountain shoe when it gets released sometime. But in general the softer the compound, the better grip but the shorter the lifespan. Also look at the bottom of the shoe, if the sole has a mesh effect it will grip no matter the compound. The Hi8 is a fairly hard compound but works for me... PS if you're new to flats get shin pads!!!!!