Flat or clipless?

[johannrissik]

My left foot is a bit dumb, so I have a cleat on that pedal and a flat pedal on the right side. 

That way I learn the best skills and transfer them to the dumb foot. Works a treat.

 

That way I stay out of arguments too.

[Matchstix]

Cleats, the faster you start the better you will be off in the long run.

Yes flats can build confidence, but can also teach you bad technique like taking your foot off, or uncleat when you are uncertain which is not a good idea.

To ride with flats has its advantages and except for the obvious it also a skill in my opinion to ride well with flats.

[Piston ZA]

This might help - http://www.bikejames.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Flat-Pedal-Revolution-Manifesto.pdf

[-MaximuS-]

I was leaning towards flat...now I'm convinced!

http://www.bikejames...n-Manifesto.pdf

This article is a great read and I'm gonna stick to flat. I'm not saying clipless sucks but I wanna enjoy my ride and not have to worry about unclipping (or not ) when the poop hits the fan... .

 

Thanks for all the input.

[GoLefty!!]

http://www.bikesplit.com/bsa4.htm

 

 

a different argument

 

and there many more like it.

 

at the end of the day the OP has to chose what works for him>

 

I will be interested to see results from a non clipin user n how successful flats are at high cadence

[rouxtjie]

I was leaning towards flat...now I'm convinced!

http://www.bikejames...n-Manifesto.pdf

This article is a great read and I'm gonna stick to flat. I'm not saying clipless sucks but I wanna enjoy my ride and not have to worry about unclipping (or not ) when the poop hits the fan... .

 

Thanks for all the input.

meneer, you dont pedal on paper....

 

clipless is better suited for your discipline(XC). FACT!!!

[SwissVan]

OMGosh 57 pages (bikejames article) about why its better to use flats, what a load of hogwash.

 

Learning to use clipless does not take very long, once you get used to it chances are you will never ride flats UNLESS you doing serious downhill, tricks, trails, jumps, bmx...all the rest go clipless

[GoLefty!!]

OMGosh 57 pages (bikejames article) about why its better to use flats, what a load of hogwash.

 

Learning to use clipless does not take very long, once you get used to it chances are you will never ride flats UNLESS you doing serious downhill, tricks, trails, jumps, bmx...all the rest go clipless

 

 

 

why you being so nice!?

 

Clipless is actually very common on the DH pro circuit. Look everybody has to write a paper to be taken seriously so give the man a break nuh.

 

I mean everybody knows that clipless pedals don't necessarily allow a more round pedal stroke but they certainly prevent your feet from slipping off the pedal when you pedaling fast or hit something unexpected. this is why they were called safety pedals when LOOK launched the clipless pedal back in 1985.

 

but you know how it goes. there more evidence suggesting clipless is better than evidence o the contrary but there's always going to be the one...

[GoLefty!!]

the more I read that 57 page article the more I realize its written by an Am rider justifying a choice as science..

[SwissVan]

why you being so nice!?

 

 

 

its the new me.... turning 50 is hell i tell you...mellowing with age

[SwissVan]

the more I read that 57 page article the more I realize its written by an Am rider justifying a choice as science..

 

You even tried to read it?

[GoLefty!!]

You even tried to read it?

 

 

not try, actually read it. great for entertainment value. Some facts laced with agenda and personal bias always makes for a great read. too much facts and hard core science while waiting for lab results would send me over the edge

Actually reads a bit like the Lance Armstrong 7 Week performance program....

[Piston ZA]

I think you guys are forgetting that the OP is a 'noob', and was asking about the pro's and cons of flats and clipless. I think the article provides that (and it's not the only one I've seen that lists the points). 

 

I started riding about 6 months ago and went straight to clipless. I found that my skill levels have not improved much, and think it has a lot to do with having a couple of hard falls directly as a result of not being able to unclip in time and that affecting my confidence.

 

I recently started doing a lot reading into it (the "57 page article,  many other articles and forums), and have decided to give flat pedals a try, mostly to improve my confidence and to get rid of any bad habits which one might develop from not learning on flats. I will not throw away my cleats, and will still use them in future when needed, but only once my skill levels and confidence have improved. 

 

I think for the experienced guys who have been riding for years on clipless, you might see it differently, and you will have your personal preference. Remember, what pedals you use is a personal preference, which I think you can only get from using both.

 

So as a noob myself, I for one want to enjoy my riding more than wanting to get on any podiums and I think flats will provide that.

[-MaximuS-]

I think you guys are forgetting that the OP is a 'noob', and was asking about the pro's and cons of flats and clipless. I think the article provides that (and it's not the only one I've seen that lists the points). 

 

I started riding about 6 months ago and went straight to clipless. I found that my skill levels have not improved much, and think it has a lot to do with having a couple of hard falls directly as a result of not being able to unclip in time and that affecting my confidence.

 

I recently started doing a lot reading into it (the "57 page article,  many other articles and forums), and have decided to give flat pedals a try, mostly to improve my confidence and to get rid of any bad habits which one might develop from not learning on flats. I will not throw away my cleats, and will still use them in future when needed, but only once my skill levels and confidence have improved. 

 

I think for the experienced guys who have been riding for years on clipless, you might see it differently, and you will have your personal preference. Remember, what pedals you use is a personal preference, which I think you can only get from using both.

 

So as a noob myself, I for one want to enjoy my riding more than wanting to get on any podiums and I think flats will provide that.

I agree. One day I might change to clipless, I'm not ruling that out completely but for now I'm gonna get myself a descent pair of flats and enjoy the ride!

 

Thanks again for all the input...

[GoLefty!!]

I think you guys are forgetting that the OP is a 'noob', and was asking about the pro's and cons of flats and clipless. I think the article provides that (and it's not the only one I've seen that lists the points). 

 

I started riding about 6 months ago and went straight to clipless. I found that my skill levels have not improved much, and think it has a lot to do with having a couple of hard falls directly as a result of not being able to unclip in time and that affecting my confidence.

 

I recently started doing a lot reading into it (the "57 page article,  many other articles and forums), and have decided to give flat pedals a try, mostly to improve my confidence and to get rid of any bad habits which one might develop from not learning on flats. I will not throw away my cleats, and will still use them in future when needed, but only once my skill levels and confidence have improved. 

 

I think for the experienced guys who have been riding for years on clipless, you might see it differently, and you will have your personal preference. Remember, what pedals you use is a personal preference, which I think you can only get from using both.

 

So as a noob myself, I for one want to enjoy my riding more than wanting to get on any podiums and I think flats will provide that.

 

I understand where you coming from and confidence is everything. I learned to ride a bicycle when I was about 5 or 6 yrs old. I learned on a 26" BSA with dropped top tube and moerse flat pedals. My shins still have the scars. I then rode BMX and the pedals there were just as bad because the the cadence required for bmx often left  one foot scrabbling for a pedal when you needed the pedal under your foot.

the first time I slung my legs over an MTB in 1991 I rode it with flats because toe straps just seemed like an accident waiting to happen. My 2ns ride I fitted Time Racing Road pedals and used my Time TBT road shoes. I didn't' look back. Having the bike bond to my feet gave me more confidence than having my feet dangling off a pedal I flew through the "quarry" (the one on Vasbyt).

In my view, flats are for more experienced rider who know how to place their weight over the bike and have developed the muscles structures to support their feet

[Piston ZA]

I understand where you coming from and confidence is everything. I learned to ride a bicycle when I was about 5 or 6 yrs old. I learned on a 26" BSA with dropped top tube and moerse flat pedals. My shins still have the scars. I then rode BMX and the pedals there were just as bad because the the cadence required for bmx often left  one foot scrabbling for a pedal when you needed the pedal under your foot.

the first time I slung my legs over an MTB in 1991 I rode it with flats because toe straps just seemed like an accident waiting to happen. My 2ns ride I fitted Time Racing Road pedals and used my Time TBT road shoes. I didn't' look back. Having the bike bond to my feet gave me more confidence than having my feet dangling off a pedal I flew through the "quarry" (the one on Vasbyt).

In my view, flats are for more experienced rider who know how to place their weight over the bike and have developed the muscles structures to support their feet

I humbly disagree. From what it sounds like, you are quite experienced, but riding clipless and not flats? From what I read you also gave flats only one try (were they proper platforms with grippy shoes?)

 

To me, clipless is for experienced riders who have developed the skills, proper techniques and confidence over the years (that's why most of the pro DH guys are riding clipless? - correct me if I'm wrong).

 

From what I have read riding flats teaches you the proper techniques. Once mastered, go to clipless. I will be happy to report back in a couple of months after trying out flats.