Pedals flat vs cleats

[LennardvW]

Hi Guys

 

Only been on mtb for seven weeks now. I started to keep fitness levels up as an injured runner. Have already done 1200kms. Really enjoying myself.

Question, Should I now make the change to cleats, or stay with flats? Reading different opinions, about benefits and more power and also falling...

 

Thanks

[Sparky and the Warden]

Sam Hill has debunked this one! Do some homework and Google who he is....nuff said

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Stay with flats. If you really want to move to cleats, donut once you've built up a solid set of skills on the flats and then transition over.

[rudi-h]

Depends on your goals...

 

If you just want to ride your bike on gravel roads and don't stress about becoming a better bike rider, then you can get the cleats.  It doesn't make a huge difference, but you might find it a bit more comfortable if you're spending a lot of time pedalling out of the saddle or bouncing around on very bumpy or corrugated terrain.  You will also have higher top-end power output in a sprint situation.

 

There's enough literature to show that the "up-stroke" advantage of pedaling at normal intensity is very small, and better pedaling technique with flat pedals will get you almost on par with running cleat pedals.

 

If you have any desire to become a better bike rider, it's essential that you stick to flats.  Riding with flats will improve your technique, especially when negotiating drops or hopping over obstacles.

 

I have been riding bikes (road, mtb and touring) for 10+ years.  Been on cleats for most of the time and switched to flats on my MTB about two years ago and in no rush to put the cleat pedals back on anytime soon.

[Grease_Monkey]

It depends what discipline of mtb you are doing. If you are doing Cross Country (I asssume you are because of the distance you have done in 7 weeks) you will eventually want to move over to cleats once you have built a good set of skills and confidence. The benefits of cleats in XC is undeniable.

 

If you are doing gravity oriented riding it is going to come down to preference, some people love flats and others cleats. Cleats will make you feel more planted. But on flats you will be able to hone your skills better in terms of foot placement, and you will be forced to shift your weight around on the bike to pick up the rear end instead of using the cleats to pick it up. In my opinion flats are also just more fun for gravity riding.

 

Either way, just wait a bit before you make a decision, 7 weeks is still early to move over.

[T-Bob]

Depends what kind if riding you do and the terrain. I tend to flip between the two. Most of the time I'm on flats but if for some reason I want to go for a bigger pedal on more distance type terrain I throw on the ol' spds. It's not actually that the peddling is that much different it's that my cleat shoes have a darn stiff carbon sole and that power transfer is alot more efficient. 

[s14phoenix]

All of the above is 100% correct.

 

Resolved without a since Friday incident.

 

Positives to both and negatives to both. All agreed.

 

[CdT85]

I just made the move to cleats on my xc bike, after 7 years riding . Don't know if its just me, but I do feel I climb more efficiently. But on my bigger travel bikes will stay with my trusted saint flat pedals.

 

As the guys said, depends on your goals, terrain and riding style.

[LennardvW]

Thanks guys. My goals started out as mainly fitness, but seems like cannot help enjoying the more technical terrain. But I currently do 80% of my riding for high mileage and I guess cross country. Only twice a month I will do a bike Park where there is some technical terrain. I do not have a very expensive bike, and its a hard tail.

[porqui]

Do you need cleats?

 

Keep it as is.

 

If you get more serious about your riding then make a more informed choice.

If you like the techy stuff stay with flats but proper flats and not beartraps.