Clips V Flats for all mountain?

[rumblefish]

I was also concerned about clipping out when things got ugly but I haven't had a problem. I have my clipless pedals on the loosest setting so I get the stability and power of clipless but the peace of mind of being able to get out quick. Had an OTB's crash this morning and was unclipped without even knowing. After a while instinct will kick in.

Practice using them on trails that you are very familiar with.

 

[OT]

As you can already tell from this thread clipless are more efficient. When riding xc/road im 100% for clipless no questions. Although there are clear benifits of clipless when it comes to dh, I run flats. There was the question "can you win on flats" a while ago but sam hill (im sure other riders as well) showed everyone that it can be done on the world stage.
Now on the other hand I would be very impressed if a road, track or xc race was won by a guy/girl using flats on the wc stage.
From what everyone says about clipless, once riding them for sometime cliping out becomes second nature and you will naturally do it when a situation arises. If your riding is going to involve climbs I would deffinatly give clipless a second chance.

Yep, the only thing I'd add to this is when a trail has doubles and gaps, flats are the way to go. So much nicer and easier to throw the bike around in the air on flats, clipless just doesn't feel right.

 

[harmonix1234]

My interpretation of AM is medium DH+FR but going up as well.
So I would say flats. Even though I am a solid clipped in rider, for AM I'd like to be on flats.
But that's because my skill level is low, and I wouldn't want to be hitting huge doubles and throwing myself off huge drops and racing over ruts without the ease of bailing that flats give.
I imagine I would be bailing a lot riding AM. All personal though.

When I lived in Tas I rode lots of trails that would be considered AM, but rode them pretty slow and hesitant in the clips. Had I been on flats I would have ridden a lot harder.

 

[indica]

huge drops and racing over ruts without the ease of bailing that flats give.
I imagine I would be bailing a lot riding AM. All personal though.
.

I have NEVER been stuck in the pedals when crashing - and I crash often.
I think everyone should ride clipless from the start, then this issue will never arise. With time feet come out when they should.

 

[aanon]

Ah, the good old clips v flats discussion.
I ride flats for DH and AM,just prefer the feel of them over being clipped in, also i find them more comfy for walking/scrambling up steep hills when out looking for new trails.
I have never been one to dis out clipless as some people seem to,different strokes for different folks i reckon.

 

[MrCove]

i generally ride clipped in (crank bros)
but not always
i often prefer riding flats and have a heap of fun on flats
i had my most successful DH season on clips, went to flats for a while, was probably riding better in and out of corners but just couldn't make up the speed in between

i tend to keep one bike with flats on whatever
when i finally finish building my new bike. Mojo HD140, i'll put flats on the Enduro and leave 'em on

any sort of distance or fast paced riding though and it's clips all the way

there is no real answer if you are just riding for pleasure , swap around between both

 

[Capt.Gumby]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated and food for thought.

I put the clipless back on, set them very loose and spent a good half hour riding around on the street just clipping in and out.

Went for a ride around our local trails today and even though it was quite a tentative ride (read: crapping myself in some of the technical sections!) I got through it unscathed and clipped out easily when I stuffed up. Good not to go over sideways and still clipped in! I think I was running them too tight previously. They are probably a bit too loose at the moment and will tighten them up as the confidence grows but I had no accidental clip out today.

I certainly noticed the difference when climbing especially on a couple of the tight switchbacks on our tracks.

 

[Lorday]

So I've been riding clipless for about 18 months now (always SS - its the reason I got them in the first place) on a HT. I mostly do longer rides - most which I'd consider being trail/AM. Never had the stop to fall over like a fool, never had an issue where I couldn't unclip, and after around 2 months of riding I had the pedals done up as tight as I can - I had the same clipless pedals (M520) on both the roadie/Commuter and MTB - both SS.
Even with the pedals done up as tight as possible they still could be pulled 'straight' out. This was more of an issue when I had the pedals on the 'fixie' which was brakeless, as they could be pulled out while skidding.

3 weeks ago I bought some xtr race pedals which are porn - they came with 'single release' cleats, which although I had a set to try already, decided to use these as the pedals were new. Now I have no idea what setting the xtr's came stock with but the single release cleats and xtr pedals are the perfect combo on the MTB. I can get out when needed but haven't pulled out on any climbs or unclip when pedal mashing rocks.

Fast forward to 2 days ago, coming back from a roadie ride (first time with the new cleats. Still running the m520 pedals wound up tight) haven't had to unclip in the 80odd k's of riding; Pull into the drive way, roll into the courtyard, go to unclip, try to unclip, start loosing my balance, try to unclip, pull as hard as I can, try to unclip (cue cut scene of shock horror on my face), fall over sideways. Seriously retarded me, still attached to the bike, unable to get out, on the ground, in lycra, with a fluro pink jersey on... so glad nobody was/came home.
Moral of the story - single release cleats + really tight pedals = trouble for newbies. I almost have to dislocate my ankles to get out of the pedals on the roadie now. Nice.

Anyway moral of the story:
- Clipless pedals are good if you ride a HT and want to pedal over rough stuff
- Clipless pedals require a cycling shoe, which are stiff, which are awesome to ride (avoid walking in them, they suck) in.
- Clipless pedals allow you to pick the back of the bike up with ease/ pull up on pedals; this makes changing lines, tech climbing, climbing in general and bunny hopping shit easier.
- If you are going to run flats, grip a stiff soled, grippy rubber shoe and decent pedals

To add some food for thought two of my biggest crashes have happening on my mtb while on flats. One happened at high speed, one happened slow speed - both were my own fault. One of those crashes WOULDN'T of happened on clipless pedals, one of hose would possibly of been worse in clipless pedals.

 

[burkie]

I think everyone should ride clipless from the start

Have to say I'm against that. I rode clipless from the start and thought all was good. Then gave flats a go and found I couldn't keep my feet on the pedals. Why? Because I'd never learn't to weight the pedals properly because the cleats cover up poor technique. Riding flats has improved my riding remarkably.

 

[indica]

Have to say I'm against that. I rode clipless from the start and thought all was good. .

Fair call, and in saying Clipless from the start, I do mean after learning to ride as a kid.
But I wouldn't say they cover up poor technique, they require a different technique.
I have seen that flatpedal riders need to tip the nose of the pedal up when riding down a hill in order to keep weight on the pedal - I may be wrong there

 

[Geek]

(sort of) barefoot pedalling

I ride flats in an old pair of Nike Free trainers, which is as close to barefoot as I reckon you'd want to get.

 

[Steve-0]

+1 for Clipped in anywhere!

• With a clipless setup you get so much more power to lay down. You can put all the power you can with flats, PLUS lift up with the other leg.
  
• You can pedal anywhere, anytime, over anything.
  
• More control of the bike. You can unweight the back of the bike whenever you want and move the back end around at the same time. Rock gardens are so much faster in clips IMO.

Only downside is pretty obvious, not being able to unclip. I've been riding for so long in clips It's not a problem but when your starting out it will be hard. I can fall off at any speed and over the bars, whatever and still unclip as if I was on flats. Drifting corners is easy and getting back in is not a problem.

Only benefit I see for flats is riding your bike to podium in thongs. I destroyed my knee (and snapped ACL) last year because I had mud in my clips and couldn't clip out on a crash - I still ride clips anywhere.

Just feels right.

 

[TLS]

Once used to it I definitely agree that clipped in is better. Sure if you crash you'll sometimes bring the bike with you and it's harder to bail quickly BUT as a whole you feel more at one with the bike which is a major advantage and I think helps you flow better along trails.

It takes a while, but once you're used to cleats you'll never go back

 

[DH - Rookie]

If you have a big ring still like me, then jumping with small clipless pedals seems dangerous. of course, I do need a 34t and chain device, so...

I have heard mallets are almost perfect.

 

[Shamhamster]

flats for me.

I have been riding more seriously the last year or so doing a couple of 24hrs and some 100k races and have riden every one of them with flats and hard toe clips. Have not had one instance where my feet have come out when I didnt want them to. I have never riden clipless on either road or dirt.

I think it all comes down to preference / comfort but I am going to buy a pair of shoes and pedals soon and see if there is any effeciencies to be had. I ride with a group of people who are all a similar skill and speed level so if I start to take off on them, it may be because I am riding more or it may be because I have the cleats. What I'll do is switch between the flats with towe clips and the cleats on a regular basis on the same tracks at the same time during the week and see if there is any difference bewteen the sets. I'll let you know how I go in a few months.

 

[hungrytiger]

I just ordered some 510 shoes from CRC. They are supposed to be the grippiest shoes on flat pedals around according to all the reviews. Will let you know how I get on when they arrive.

Two thumbs up for these. Went out for a test ride this evening and they actually work really well, way better than regular skate shoes. Worth trying if you want to stick with the flats.

 

[driftking]

Two thumbs up for these. Went out for a test ride this evening and they actually work really well, way better than regular skate shoes. Worth trying if you want to stick with the flats.

deffinatly run 5.10's with a decent pedal, makes a big difference.
The first time I went to 5.10's I felt like I had too much grip but after 1 run I was already used to it and staying on the pedals was easier than ever. Getting the feet off in sitcky situations or in the rare corner was no issue either. I would be very surprised if you were unhappy with a pair of 5.10's

 

[digitalhippie]

Five Tens are awesome shoes. I've gone through a pair of Sam Hills, have Karvers now. In mountain uni land which is pretty well all flats, no clipless, Five Tens are the standard shoe. Couple them with a good pedal and the grip is great. For flats I use the Speedplay Drilliums - large flat surface area really suits the sole of Five Tens imo, plus they look the schizzle

But for AM riding it's clipless all the way for me though. Have been riding clipless MTB since the early 90's, benefits as guys have already mentioned.

Whatever suits your own preference and riding style I think.