[mtbgreg1 offline]

Do you ride with clipless pedals or flats? Why?

[GoldenGoose]

How about a both option? Lots of people ride clipped in for XC and trail riding and then use flats for anything more risky, especially if there is a chance for more than a couple of feet of air or having to bail out off of a raised bridge or platform. I have a set of flats and platform pedals for just such a reason.

[mtbgreg1 offline]

How about a both option? Lots of people ride clipped in for XC and trail riding and then use flats for anything more risky, especially if there is a chance for more than a couple of feet of air or having to bail out off of a raised bridge or platform. I have a set of flats and platform pedals for just such a reason.

Added!

[treky92 offline]

I ride clipless for one main reason and that is climbing. Since I started clipless about six months ago I have been able to climb a lot better, especially on extended climbs. Granted I only ride XC, but even on elevated bridges, skinnies, and teeter totters I will generally stay clipped in.

[jtorlando25 offline]

Flats.

I rode clipless for a few months and kept getting hurt. I lose all confidence when I'm clipped in. The added benefit of being able to spin and pull up instead of mash when my legs grew tired was not worth the total loss of confidence. I'm a beast on flats with 5-10s. The only thing I miss about clipless is how easy it is to bunny hop.

[dgaddis offline]

There should be a this again? option too

But I'll play along. Clipped in, always, on the MTB. Way more confident, no worries of my feet coming off.

Flats, always, when riding the Rollfast. I'd look silly clipped in.

[brianW offline]

Where is the "clip" option? I have toe clips on my ss but clipless on the geared bike.

will be switching the clipless pedals over to soon.

[arvi offline]

This is my first forum post, but I know this is a hotly and frequently debated topic.

I recently started alternating between clipless and flats to (hopefully) make me a better rider. Being clipped in makes things like seated climbing and bunny hopping easier, but it also forces me to commit to pedaling through technical terrain when I might be tempted to put a foot down. Flats build more strength and endurance since there's no power delivery on the upstroke. The aforementioned bunny hopping also requires a little more technique when my feet aren't attached to the pedals.

That said, I'm in the market for dedicated flat pedal shoes. My current Nike 6.0's are usually fine, but after crossing a creek in them, they were way too slippery and absorbed as much water as a Shamwow. Any recommendations?

[schwim offline]

I love my flats and have no intention of going with clipless.

That said, I'm in the market for dedicated flat pedal shoes. My current Nike 6.0's are usually fine, but after crossing a creek in them, they were way too slippery and absorbed as much water as a Shamwow. Any recommendations?

I wear Vans old school shoes and they stick to my metal pin flats like velcro, wet or dry.

[Jared13 offline]

This is my first forum post, but I know this is a hotly and frequently debated topic.

I recently started alternating between clipless and flats to (hopefully) make me a better rider. Being clipped in makes things like seated climbing and bunny hopping easier, but it also forces me to commit to pedaling through technical terrain when I might be tempted to put a foot down. Flats build more strength and endurance since there's no power delivery on the upstroke. The aforementioned bunny hopping also requires a little more technique when my feet aren't attached to the pedals.

That said, I'm in the market for dedicated flat pedal shoes. My current Nike 6.0's are usually fine, but after crossing a creek in them, they were way too slippery and absorbed as much water as a Shamwow. Any recommendations?

LOL@Shamwow

I know quite a few riders swear by 5.10s. Teva seems to have some decent shoes also but I have not spoken with anyone that has worn them.

[jtorlando25 offline]

Flats, always, when riding the Rollfast. I'd look silly clipped in.

hmm idk bro...you look pretty silly on flats too

[stumpyfsr offline]

When I rode flats I wore Adidas shoes till sole completely worn out due to metal pins in pedals. 2 months ago switched to clipless (Time), lost all confidence in riding skinnies, bridges etc. Don't have much time to ride now but still feeling my confidence is coming back, especially after a day in Ray's MTB Park.
When rode with flats I felt like my feet glued to the pedal so didn't noticed big difference when switched to clipless except the fact of increased average speed on the trail and a few "landing" due to late unclipping Feel like clipless help me with balance on skinnies too. Still riding difficult parts more carefully then with flats though. Don't think I'll go back to flats but who knows

[TheWVPedaler offline]

I was also worried about technical terrain on clipless pedals but you know mine are not too bad to get out of. There was a little learning curve but after only a few rides and only one crash I will never ride flats again. I have been gaining more and more confidence on my bike through the technical sections.

Well I do ride flats on test rides when I work at the shop.

[uekiya offline]

I ride clipless and have ever since my first year riding back in 2005. I climb much better with the clipless then flats. Also I don't have to worry about my feet slipping off of the pedals. The other day I took a test ride on a friends bike with flats and I did not realize how dependant I was on the clipless. I know people have their opinions and as someone posted above it is a hot topic but it is all a matter of preference. When I am out riding I would never judge anyone's skills or dedication to the sport based on their equipment. I was actually listening to some jerks in a bike store mocking a felllow rider (behind his back) because he had a rather nice Santa Cruz Nikel with flats. Anyway maybe I can post a question. I have old Shimano M505's and they have been reliable. The don't make M505's anymore but make M520's which start at $55.00. What is the difference between just say the M520's and the newer Shimano models that cost $100.00 and up? Is it just weight? When I get my new bike I will need a new set.

[ollysj offline]

Clipless - feel better with them, even on trails