Comments on: Flats vs. Clipless Pedals

By: bikejames

bikejames — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:50:49 +0000

5.10 is the brand I use, the model I recommend checking out is called the Freerider. Teva also makes a good flat pedal shoe and a lot of people have had luck with them when the 5.10′s didn’t fit well. You can use Zappos.com to order 5.10′s, they have a great return policy so you can order a few sizes and return the ones that don’t fit.

By: cannonballhands

cannonballhands — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:33:49 +0000

Wow I have been riding for about 3 years and started with clipless because that is what i was given when i started. After reading all of this and listing to the podcast I am thinking i should give the 5.10 s and flats a shot!

The name brand of shoe i should get is call 5.10 or is there a different brand name i should check out??? thanks for any info on this!

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:43:38 +0000

Hello!
I’ve had to use an mtb with clipless pedals for the first time in the last few months (been riding for 20 years). I found them really pleasant to use. However, what I would add to the convrsation is that I feel good a bout them because I usually stick to the same area and know the terrain (Casa de Campo, in Madrid – Spain). Were I to be venturing into unknown areas, I think I would rather use platforms…don’t know if this helps…

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 03:03:38 +0000

Just bought some Crank Bros Mallets DH. Been in flats for a year now and want to try something different. I am also going to do a few SuperD races and Over The Hump this year. Wish me luck

By: Jazzer

Jazzer — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 21:09:29 +0000

I’m in my 50s and have been riding since I was a young boy. I lived in Santa Cruz in the ’80s during the evolution of MTB and my first MTB was the original Stumpjumper (blue). Rode Slickrock when it first opened to MTB, knew Keith Bontrager when he was just a shop monkey, etc.

I started with toe straps on my Raleigh Grand Prix, used them on every bike for 30 years, then switched to clipless for a couple of years to get some more power. Once I got used to them I felt much more committed to the bike – you have to be. Very focused on pedal position during technical sections.

However, at least 2-3 times per year I would make what I called the “stupid fall”. You know, reach for the water bottle, bobble it, and boom, you’re one the ground, still clipped in. One comical fall was worthy of a youtube clip as I teetered over in slow motion in the middle of a very deep and stinky mud puddle.

After years of this I started to notice that the younger riders who were doing all kinds of cool shit were not clipped in. My sons could do some serious bunny-hops on flats, more than I could do while clipped. I switched to hybrid flat/clipless pedals and noticed I was using the flat side more and having more fun.

I bought some used 5-10s and Diety composite pedals and will never go back. I am having more fun than ever, more control, and have not had one “stupid fall” since. I ride moderate singletrack every day. Often when riding with a group someone will take the stupid fall and laugh it off. Or I get stuck behind a bunch of sweaty guys trying to clip back in after a muddy section.

I have a lot more confidence and can really rail the bike over around turns and see how far I can push it, letting the bike slide out, no problem. At least once a week I find myself shooting a leg out to catch a potentially disastrous fall without even thinking.

I always get asked if my feet slip out or if I bash my shins. I have never slipped off the pedals and never bashed a shin. I can’t think of anything that I can’t do with flats except pull up hills as hard, but I blame that on age.

The clipless guys will tell you that they can get unclipped within a second, but the worst crashes happen in less time, when you’re not even doing anything challenging. You may be able to unclip 99% of the time, but that one time you can’t…

I’ll be on the trails tonight riding with lights, I’ll be the guy bunny hopping – without cleats.

By: bikejames

bikejames — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 16:50:03 +0000

Here is a post I did on the different types of 5-10 shoes and what I use them for: Stuff I Like: 5-10 Sticky Rubber Shoes As far as the pedals go, I like the Deity Decoy of Decoy LT pedals. Hope this helps, glad you like the blog...

By: Todd Varon

Todd Varon — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 21:20:19 +0000

Thanks for this excellent post regarding the advantage of flat pedals versus clipless.

I plan to switch to the flat pedals for the new bike I just ordered (which comes without pedals anyway). I never felt really comfortable with the clipless ones anyway and don’t think I will miss them.

I note that you have recommended Deity pedals and Five Ten shoes; however I was wondering if you could recommend the right model of each as there appear to be many.

I am 49 and an occasional MTB rider (not a lot of mileage at present). I don’t do very technical runs and don’t do any jumps. Just like riding out in the outdoors on trails. Mostly interested in safety and comfort. Don’t mind paying for quality but don’t want to buy more than I need either.

Thanks again for your excellent blog and advice.

By: bikejames

bikejames — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:49:17 +0000

The kettlebell swing is one of the best exercises for learning the hip “pop” you need to bunny hop higher. Check out my video on manualing on this site to see it in action.

By: bikejames

bikejames — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 16:16:46 +0000

Check out the 5-10 Freeriders or Spitfires, they are more like regular shoes than the big, bulky shoes made for DH riding. Check out my review of them on this site, just do a search for 5-10 shoes and you’ll find it.

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 00:39:16 +0000

I’ve been riding for a little under a year, I went to a clippless setup very early on in the picture, way before I should have..

After some fast and not so fast step off’s I lost quite a bit of confidence. So after snooping around here I thought I’d go back to the flats… At first I wasn’t into it at all, I couldn’t keep my foot on the pedal, and I don’t mean slipping, I mean my foot would lift off, and I couldn’t hop. But the other big thing I noticed was I seemed to run out ground clearance with the bigger pedal, and as many others have mentioned I too was inadvertently unclipping in corners.

Anyway, a couple of rides in now and life is getting better, it does however highlight the habits one develops with a clippless system and how you manage to “shut off” and never really think about what your feet are doing, at least I seemed to anyway..

My only gripe while doing research on this flat shoe fiasco is they all seem to be and have such thick and bulky tongues on them… I guess I’m just used to a street/casual shoe..

Anyway great blog, it’s interesting to read all the varied responses and reactions..