RockCoach Posted October 13, 2014 Posted October 13, 2014 Sam Hill disagrees with your last sentiment I know... but I was talking about mere mortals.
cat-i Posted October 13, 2014 Posted October 13, 2014 For me it's more important to enjoy the ride and feel confident, than the extra few grams of weight or image. I love the dual pedals and have been using them for years; one side I can clip in, other side is flat. It gives me the confidence to try things without fear of staying clipped in. And if you find yourself on a downhill where you would have preferred to be clipped in, then just press down with your heels, you won't sommer come off.
cat-i Posted October 13, 2014 Posted October 13, 2014 II got the bike shop to attach the shimano spd adaptors at first, so I could get used to the bike before I started clipping in, but after a week I took them off as I found them distracting. I found those adapter-thingies pretty useless. They had no grip, and I found them very hard to use on anything but a smooth surface. Well done for ditching them so soon! .... and for wanting to earn the right to ride the technical stuff. Its probably a personality thing - i am just way too impatient to wait to ride the fun stuff, and too scared to fall, so I found the flat pedals allowed me to try (and sometimes even conquer) obstacles that I wouldn't have tried if I was clipped in. I won't win any races, so if my flat-pedal-preference is not optimal, it works for me because I like the confidence it gives me and the fun it allows me.
Big Ray Posted October 13, 2014 Posted October 13, 2014 I use flat pedals and recently got some new shoes to ride in, never had a problem and you'll see many people doing the same.Pedal shoe straps are also an option, I've seen it fairly often.
Maj Posted October 14, 2014 Posted October 14, 2014 Or you could try flats and approach this from a neutral perspective.I am in the try both and then decide camp rather than the try one type and declare them the winner approach.hey, don't get me wrong, i'm certainly not a 'one answer fits all' kinda gal, just sharing my (very little) experience, and personal preference, which is what it comes down to in the end...
marko35s Posted October 14, 2014 Posted October 14, 2014 hey, don't get me wrong, i'm certainly not a 'one answer fits all' kinda gal, just sharing my (very little) experience, and personal preference, which is what it comes down to in the end...No offence meant from me either, I am just asking how is it possible to to have a personal preference without checking out the options [emoji1]
RockCoach Posted October 14, 2014 Posted October 14, 2014 No offence meant from me either, I am just asking how is it possible to to have a personal preference without checking out the options [emoji1]Yeah, you can't prefer broccoli to chocolate if you've never had chocolate.
BenGraham Posted October 14, 2014 Posted October 14, 2014 I ride flats. I try not to get into debates about it. I can bunny hop as much as I need to and my feet seldom loose my pedals. And I'm more confident on technical stuff than a lot of clipless riders I've seen in races. If you're slower because you're nervous pedaling efficiency means nothing. Don't judge flats on stock pedals or bear traps with trail running shoes. Give them a fair chance.
RockCoach Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 I ride flats. I try not to get into debates about it. I can bunny hop as much as I need to and my feet seldom loose my pedals. And I'm more confident on technical stuff than a lot of clipless riders I've seen in races. If you're slower because you're nervous pedaling efficiency means nothing. Don't judge flats on stock pedals or bear traps with trail running shoes. Give them a fair chance. I think one problem we have here is that the same shops which are punting marathon race bikes for everyone are also trying to get everyone onto cleats and disco shoes. If I ride on the roadbike (rarely) then it's always Look pedals with plastic cleats.If on the fun, trail, jump hardtail SS then it's short rides on flats..If on the trail #enduro fullsus bike (where I spend most of my time) then I swop between flats and cleats with a platform depending on length and type of ride.If I had a marathon bike it would be always cleats.When I get a dedicated single speed then it is cleats.
ScottCM Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 I think one problem we have here is that the same shops which are punting marathon race bikes for everyone are also trying to get everyone onto cleats and disco shoes. If I ride on the roadbike (rarely) then it's always Look pedals with plastic cleats.If on the fun, trail, jump hardtail SS then it's short rides on flats..If on the trail #enduro fullsus bike (where I spend most of my time) then I swop between flats and cleats with a platform depending on length and type of ride.If I had a marathon bike it would be always cleats.When I get a dedicated single speed then it is cleats. You mean there are bikes that you don't have in your arsenal?
RockCoach Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 You mean there are bikes that you don't have in your arsenal? Have sold some to make space for others
Tumbleweed Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 These somehow found their way onto my bike the other day...haven't been using the bike for long rides - usually just up to the shops for grocery runs and coffee hunts, so mostly pavement playing. Super grippy, but I'll never ditch cleats...
Tumbleweed Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 Yeah you certainly don't have to spend a crapload of money on flats. Giant used to make a pedal called Mosh. Also not pricey and super grippy. Strong as hell too. Mine are still going strong after years of abuse... The white Giant ones in the previous post were R330, not sure what Mosh are going for.
Maj Posted October 16, 2014 Posted October 16, 2014 Yeah, you can't prefer broccoli to chocolate if you've never had chocolate. heh heh, point taken, now ur gonna get an essay... I've never seen or heard of flat pedals with bolts in them, so that was an eye-opener. It may well be that if I didn't live in the butt-end of the world I might have seen them before and maybe would've considered them. However... I have done some time on an old mtb with basic plastic flat pedals, but found that because I was used to road cleat shoes which hold my feet in place, my pedalling technique went to **** which caused fatigue and overuse-type aches in my knees. Probably if i'd got non-cleat mtb shoes and proper pedals it might have helped, and one could say it's the perfect situation to really concentrate on my pedalling technique. However... When I got my new bike I got those adaptors, as I mentioned, as I thought I could easily switch from cleat to flat when the going got hairy, but I discovered they're actually useless with cleat shoes - they kept slipping off- also I subsequently read they're not meant to be used as actual pedals! Also, I remember going over a big bump when on the adaptors and got bumped up and off my saddle, getting a nasty knock between the legs. I had a similar experience the other day and felt myself being held onto the pedals by the cleats, which I was thankful for. Now, upon reflection, it may well be that flats improve your skills because you have to choose your line more carefully and pedal more smoothly, but i'm quite happy (and lazy enough!) to stick with what I know. But hey, maybe in the future when I have way more money i'll try out those fancy flats...
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 16, 2014 Posted October 16, 2014 heh heh, point taken, now ur gonna get an essay... I've never seen or heard of flat pedals with bolts in them, so that was an eye-opener. It may well be that if I didn't live in the butt-end of the world I might have seen them before and maybe would've considered them. However... I have done some time on an old mtb with basic plastic flat pedals, but found that because I was used to road cleat shoes which hold my feet in place, my pedalling technique went to **** which caused fatigue and overuse-type aches in my knees. Probably if i'd got non-cleat mtb shoes and proper pedals it might have helped, and one could say it's the perfect situation to really concentrate on my pedalling technique. However... When I got my new bike I got those adaptors, as I mentioned, as I thought I could easily switch from cleat to flat when the going got hairy, but I discovered they're actually useless with cleat shoes - they kept slipping off- also I subsequently read they're not meant to be used as actual pedals! Also, I remember going over a big bump when on the adaptors and got bumped up and off my saddle, getting a nasty knock between the legs. I had a similar experience the other day and felt myself being held onto the pedals by the cleats, which I was thankful for. Now, upon reflection, it may well be that flats improve your skills because you have to choose your line more carefully and pedal more smoothly, but i'm quite happy (and lazy enough!) to stick with what I know. But hey, maybe in the future when I have way more money i'll try out those fancy flats...LOL!!! Dude... those pieces of *** can't be referred to as flats. They're more useless than a decaf coffee machine at a graphic design firm. They're ****. End of story. No wonder you had issues with grip. And yes. Getting a proper pedal / shoe combo is definitely necessary. With proper flats and pedals you can still "scrape" or pull on the back and part of the up stroke. And none of that slipping stuff
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