I use the old clips and strap and flat pedals ( only on one bike) I find that the wider platform of flat pedals allow you to apply more power to the pedal I find that with clips and straps it allows you to spin better what you learn using flat pedals can be transferred to using clips and straps or in today's terms clipless pedals because you learn when to apply power
i ride flats, i always think about clips (especially when climbing) but then i remember all the times being on flats saved me... like 2 days ago when i hit some wet roots while cornering, and put a foot down and rode out.... i probably would have been down if clipped in.
I've done both for significant amount of time. Rode clips for 10 years, then flats for 4. Advantages clips: I enjoyed the rear wheel control and connection to the bike, plus pedaling power up hill. Disadvantages: Always nervous through rock gardens/tight rocky turns, and they can really put you into bad habbits over time, especially with body position, forgetting to push your weight through the bottom bracket, and incorrect form during bunny hops. Advantages Flats: Confidence! They teach you better body position, weight transfer, heel drop, etc. I push my heels through the bottom bracket and just rail through rock gardens! With sticky 5/10's and long spikes on the pedals, I've never bounced my foot off on rough stuff. Way better cornering, in my opinion, and I feel more confident on steep rocky transitions. Disadvantages: It takes more effort and technique to move the rear wheel around, or hop it up over logs/rocks. Scandi flicks, and that sort of thing. Bear trapping! You will end up with punctures in your shins and calves. Just get used to it ;) Overall, I haven't gone back to clips. Weighing all the pros and cons, I determined using clips just gave me too much extra to think about and even though they might be small things like, remembering to bring your shoes, trying to get your feet clipped while dropping in, having to make sure you can get your foot out if you don't have enough momentum to get up a transition, etc.. I just found all of those thoughts added up to a less enjoyable experience overall.. But thats just one guy's opinion, AND I'm not out there trying to shave seconds in enduro races. It really does come down to personal preference, but with that said; I recommend trying both for significant periods of time on varying terrain before deciding. Make sure to get used to both, and learn the nuances of each. After all, you don't want to rush in to a decision about something that could alter your life forever! Just kidding, go have fun ;)
Excellent points, great write up. I just switched to flats last week after 20 years clipless, and I have 0 confidence. So you rode clipless for 10 years and have too much extra to think about? I'm confused, its second nature for me to unclip no matter how bad the situation is.
Scolecite: I never had a problem getting unclipped either. Mainly, for me, I started spending a lot more time riding Sedona which has zero flow for the most part. A lot of very steep rocky transitions where you drop down, G-out, then immediately have to get up a near verticle rocky wall. Just a lot of situations where you might have to bail out in a hurry or tip over backward. I personally found it easier to dab if needed, session sections, or not have the stress of getting my feet in place when dropping into a gnarly rock garden. That's what I meant about having less to think about. I always assumed I would switch back to clipless on big climbing days with lots of flowy DH, but once I got used to flats, I just never had the urge to go back. I hope that explains it a bit :)
This... well put overall experience.. Once you learn how to ride and control your mountain bike properly, you will be able to decide when riding clipped in or on flats would be a benefit too. You can go back and forth and with proper bike handling technique, you wont notice any difference between pedals. Other less mentioned part of being clipped in is it does make your bike feel lighter. When you can manipulate the rear end of the bike(heavy end) easier, the bike feels lighter over all and can make a difference in overall experience. Not all clips are created equal either.. even within the same brand, there are huge differences between pedal and shoe interfaces. It is hard to try all combinations, but helps a ton if you can..
The French terminology (from where the pedals originate, Look make sky bindings) is automatic pedals and the Germans use click pedals. Clipless is mainly English usage.
If you started riding with toe clips like I did...! 😁 In fact, I hated regular toe clips so much, I started using road shoes with those plastic slotted cleats and double toe straps to completely lock me in. I couldn’t get out of my pedals to save my life; but it made me a good bike handler! I was happy when SPDs came along though. P.S., I know you’re being cheeky. I just had to be cheeky back. 😉
I've never been serious enough in any of the formats of biking to take the jump to clipless, but a funny story I tell about a buddy of mine deals with the challenges of learning clipless on trails. As a teen we were on a trail that followed a river about 20 feet up from the water with relatively steep banks. My buddy had just gotten clipless about a week prior and was still getting used to transitioning on and off. We hit a technical/sandy part of the trail and another buddy in front of him drastically slowed down. I watched him come to a standstill, his feet twitch a few times as he tried to pop free and then watched as he tumbled sideways down the embankment and into the water. In the time it took my brain to decide that he hadn't popped up yet and this was about to be a major problem he burst through the surface. We were dumb teens and laughed it off, but adult me shudders about it now. So yeah, kids, if you're going to try clipless get comfy on them before you hit technical trails!
One Opinion you’re right. Luckily someone told me to try them first on grass, as pretty much for sure you are going to eat shit the first time you try to get out. After all these years now it is effortless and I don’t even think about it. It’s automatic.
Before clipless pedals existed, I used road shoes with the slotted plastic cleats and double toe straps that completely locked me in. To get out of my pedals, I had to physically reach down and swipe the straps open. It forced me to learn not to get in situations like you describe and it made me a damn good bike handler. I could track stand forever.
@@hughdunbar9823 I have gone over the bars a few times during my MTB career and it’s so second nature that I’m clicked out almost right away before I even start to go over.
You, my young friend, just did an amazing job touting the pros and cons of both, without any subliminal judgement! I’m 65.....riding since I was 6? 7? In my junior high years, I bought my first quality bicycle with the “ten speed craze” that happened in the late 60s to early 70s. So my early riding was long distance, road riding....and I used those toe-clip, cage-strap devices. Never went clipless.....even with higher quality road bikes I bought in later years....though recently, I have given them some serious thought (for road trips). However, most of my riding now is long distance off-road, backcountry bikepacking.....to access remote fly fishing spots through New England north country. I like for my shoes to do double-duty walking and riding and campshoe....without the stiff “click, click” of clipless. Still......maybe? This old retired, law-dawg....maybe I can learn a new trick? Again, well done.....Bravo-Zulu on a great presentation. Keep on riding......second star to the right......!
I've also learned riding a road-cycle at the times of toe-clips and leather straps. It was that or rubber blocks. Those were a real pain in the neck when tightened. Fortunately there were the 'automatic' ones with a roller that opened with the flick of the thumb, but still. When the first clip-ins appeared, they were a revelation and a revolution. Never LOOKed back, so to say
There are plenty of hikeable clipless shoes to be had. You can have the clipless experience with shoes that don’t impede walking or hiking at all. You can even get full on sneakers that work with clipless pedals now. No sounding like a goat or horse when you walk.
@@grimp53 I used double leather straps with road shoes and the plastic slotted cleat that locked me in completely. It forced me to become a really good bike handler and kept me from getting lazy and hiking. I was really glad when SPDs came out though. Trying to walk on rocky trails with road shoes and plastic cleats wasn’t fun during those times that I had no choice.
I tried lipless for a while, they never felt great. Had a big crash with them and remained clipped in during the crash which tore my rotator cuff! I'm happy on flats
I’ve tryed clipless pedals for a couple of months, it felt weird, always thinking about clipping in and out, so went back to flats. Bought a nice pair of five tens and i felt so much better. (Exactly what you said!!)
Great video! I hear people arguing about what’s “better”, flat or clipless all the time. I ride flats and I thought I would give clipless a try, I am not giving up but I really did not think I was missing out like some of my friends told me. I like the feeling of freedom of movement on my bike, I can put my foot down if I need to, and I don’t have to even think about it. With the clipless I felt I was overthinking everything and had to “plan ahead “ and it was taking from the enjoyment. I know, I know, it would probably go away if I stuck with it, but like you said in the video and many don’t get, you have to do what works for you and just enjoy the ride! I took mountain biking later in life, I’m 41 and have been riding for 2 1/2 years now and staying in one piece is key for me Lol. (I was a roadie for the longest time and then long distance runner, but I find MTB to be so much more fun!)
I rode flats when I first got my bike and then progressed into using clips because I realized the benefits of using clips in a race environment and have loved them ever since
I recently started triathlon training and got a road (time trial) bike that came with Shimano clipless peddles. I had never used them but went with it as it seemed like everyone in Triathlon uses them. I’ve put about 500 miles on my bike and have crashed/fallen 3 times now because I needed to come to a quick stop to avoid traffic but couldn’t get uncliped in time and ended up on the ground (in the road, in traffic, NOT A GOOD situation). I have decided to go back to flats purely from a safety perspective. It’s just not worth the risk, I need to be able to put my foot down, or even ditch the bike altogether, without having to wrestle with twisting my feet to get free of the pedal.
I grew up in my teens riding flats, when I rediscovered mountain biking in my early 30's (now 34) I have ridden clipless. I love the pedal feel and ability to bunny hop the bike over obstacles as you can pull up with your legs rather than relying on all out technique. Great channel guys, and another great vid.
I was going back and forth with this topic. In the end, and after spending almost $300 on clip in pedals and shoes, im back to the flats. Its more comfortable and more enjoyable. Thanks for the vid. U got a like and a sub from me my friend. ✌🏾
Good sound advice. Nice little history in the beginning too, I'm old enough to have used toe clips back in the 80's and have seen all the evolution pedals. No one could imagined all these enhancements 30 yrs ago.
“Riding bikes is about being comfortable and enjoying yourself” Also, riding bikes is about sitting in painfully awkward positions for long periods of time on “saddles” made from space age polymer ultralight granite.
The latter is the sports side of things, which in some parts of the word (North America especially) they seem confuse as being the whole point of biking when it really isn’t. Personally I ride a bike to exercise and get around. I don’t really care if I’m the fastest.
I never used clip pedals, then I can not talk, I want to try them in the future, I use flat pedals Race Face Chester in orange color to match with my bike details, the pedals are just amazing, completely control of my bike, it give a lot more confidence and the grip between my shoes and the pedals are just awesome. I just love them. Cool video!
I started out mountain biking on a pair of Shimano SPDs, and hated it. I was constantly falling over and was hesitant to try more difficult trails because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to unclip in time. So I went out and bought a good pair of flat pedals and some Five Ten shoes. I rode with them for the last 4 years, and my riding progressed every year more and more. This year I started to feel like not being connected to the bike was holding me back from further progression for downhill and enduro riding, so I decided to give clippless another try. I bought some Nuke Proof Horizon CL pedals and some Five Ten Kestrel SPD shoes, and my riding has sky rocketed since. I love the feeling of the connectivity to the bike, and now that I am no longer a newbie at mountain biking, I know what my bike and my skills are capable of and no longer hesitate. I would recommend that all new riders learn for at least a few years on flats, and then maybe try clippless once they are more advanced riders.
Great to hear stories like this! Glad everything worked out for you in the long run. It's not a bad idea for people to start off with platforms then try clipless down the road but at the end of the day, it's still personal preference.
thank you so much for the video. I always felt the pressure to learn how to ride clip ins, cause i thought "that's what the pros do" but like you said, I feel sketchy on them, my confident level is low, basically the learning curve make me nervous on the trail. Now back on flat, I am having so much fun and confident while riding. I am gonna stick with flat and never look back haha
Yeah Jeff, you're cool man. Love your channel. I'm a huge tool nowadays, I have all this cool gear, but I suck. I guess I always knew I sucked (even from my father when we rode together as a child, I could never keep up) so I just replaced it with cool gear. Meh, what can you do? Really like your channel, I applied at like five bicycle shops, and none of them got back to me. You're doing great, I think you found your calling.
Oh about a week ago I was riding clipless and stalled out on an uphill rooty area and had a low speed fall over. Could not get out of my Egg Beaters. My right calf took a painfull blow with a root and my right hip was torqued. The worry I have with the clipless is hip injuries. It still hurts and I fear getting a hip injury in the future. Been riding for 6 years. Thinking about going to flats.
Ya know what, I am 60 and know nothing starting on road biking. I really really like your delivery. Thank you very much! I must say clipping in seems scary, perhaps I will evolve but you made me feel ok for now.
Like many, I rode BMX on flats back in the day (Bob Haro, Toby Henderson era) and didn’t get into MTB until later in life. I bought my first Kona about 25 years ago with clip pedals and later switched to clipless, which I’ve been riding ever since...until last year. I decided to try out some flats wearing 5-10’s and, after some adjustment to riding technique, fell in love with. Riding flats just make riding more enjoyable for me. I may still swap them out for clipless from time to time just to change things up, but I’m happy riding flats and that’s all that matters.
In the exact same boat. I could bunny hop a garbage can on my Dyno Detour, now after 20 years of riding clips and switching to flats last week I'm petrified. I'm not giving up, but I AM wearing shin guards :)
I ride clips on my trail bike, but I hit up the dirt jumps/manual practice on flat pedals to learn new skills and to keep myself honest with my technique.
I agree, I tried both long enough and now I ride flats/510 on my mountain bikes and clips on my road bike. That’s my preference but nothing wrong with either. Ride whatever you like just enjoy riding :) On an other note I follow you guys for a while and your general ‘dislike’ of Shimano sticks out every time even in this video. You said SPD was hard to unclip but it’s misleading because the spring tension is adjustable to a point when it’s too easy to unclip. Crankbrothers’ release angle is much bigger and requires more foot rotation to unclip which is harder especially for first timers. I saw this around me many times. Of course they can still be your preferred pedals but don’t be misleading if you want to be credible.
Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I myself ride flats almost everytime and only switch to clipless when joining races. IMO, this should hold back anyone from riding. Just ride what you prefer and where you're comfotable with ;)
I started out on flats but got tired of all the shinners and slipping off all the time so I got clipless pedals and love how connected I am to the bike and how I can put the back wheel wherever I need to.
When I was introduced to MTB’ing I was told I needed clipless.. I’ve since stuck with it and am one of my only in my group that rides clipped.. Whenever introducing people to riding I suggest flats since people seem to be more comfortable being able to drop a foot easily
Always used flats. Is google monitoring my spending? I just bought some cleats today to test if clipless is for me and this video was recommended. Food for thought people.
Some important points you did not talk about: while the Shimano SPDs give you a far less float while you are clipped in, the crank Brothers egg beaters require much greater rotation to completely release which is significant during an emergency release when you are falling and not yet experienced on clipless.... Also, for mountain biking you can get the multi-release cleats where a heal lift releases the foot. That doesn't exist for crank Brothers. Finally, Shimano SPDs have a spring tension adjustment. I recommend unsure beginners use the multi-release cleats and set release tension to minimum and then increase release tension as you get accustomed. That way, you will likely get released from your pedals in many falls even if you forget to twist your feet on the way down. You also get less benefits as there will be many inadvertent releases while you ride, but you can increase the tension as you get used to it.
Switched to flats for a while to review basic skills. Gonna go back to clips soon. The idea of going through a rock garden on flats scares the crap out of me.
Smart idea going to flats for your skills. I suggest you stick to it until you feel aggressive on flats. If you're getting bucked off on flats in rough shit then you need to slow down and work on riding smooth + change your suspension so you are in control. Otherwise one day you're gonna get bucked on your clips and end up with a face full of rock. Plus that smoothness/control on flats will translate to speed on clips in the long run. keep at it! ruclips.net/video/CAg0PHGHOJk/видео.html
I got used to the clips holding my bike so I could just float over rough stuff. Now first week on flats in 20 years, I have to keep my weight on the pedals a lot more to keep the bike tame in rock gardens.
I’ve just recently tried riding clipped in, and while I can only do so on trails that aren’t too crazy, I think it’s a ton of fun, and I can’t wait to get better! That being said, as a fairly amateur rider, there’s a time and place for them. If I’m doing a more advanced ride, I’ll go with what I know best and ride my flats.
After over 20 years on clipless I switched to flats just to change things up. I am having a total blast on the flats. I feel way more confident when trying new skills like Manualing and American Style Bunnyhop.
I could buy special expensive clipless pedals for my 2 bikes, and then the compatible shoes, and the cleats - or I could ride decent flat pedals with good pins and a pair of moderately priced BMX shoes that I can walk in. One way, I perhaps gain a couple of percent in efficiency in certain very specific situations; the other way I save a hell of a lot of money and have more versatility. If you're not racing, and don't need every tiny marginal gain in performance, you're falling for marketing. I've done many 100+ mile days with the CTC, ridden with the Tandem Club, and I ride geared and fixed bikes on the road and cross country, and I ride unicycles on and off road. It's surprising how simple just riding a bike used to be - and how simple it still is if you just do it instead of buying into all the marketing.
I switch to Clicks and i love it, i rode them without any pins too make the Spring in the Crankbrother softer and to learn it quicker. And now i screwed Pins in and to be honest, its one of the best feelings ever
I absolutely love my XTR M9100 Clipless Pedals on my Epic. Shimano makes optional SM-SH56 SPD Multi Release that you can detach in any directions for safety. Very easy to bail!
I'm considering to buy Clipless for one main reason: On Flats, when going over bumpy terrain, my feet tend to move around on the pedals, giving me an unsafe position. Then I try to move them back to place, which takes my focus away from the trail, which makes my lines even more sketchy and bumpier.
I have ridden clipless for years on road bikes and then got the MTB bug. I'm a heavy rider and tough on kit. I used to smash through rock gardens and loved a good bit of air. Found myself not being able to unclip at times I really needed to. Then I noticed I was destroying the pedals. I went through two pairs of egg-beaters, two pairs of Shimano and one other brand (They are all expensive..) before I got a set of V8 flats. Hated them at first and then, as you mentioned in the video, I discovered Five-Ten. Amazing shoes. It was like being clipped in without the pain. Good video by the way.
THANK YOU! I have tried searching for why they are called clipless, and what the clips are. All I could ever find was what a clipless is, but nothing for what a clip actually was. Now I finally know, so again thank you. I use flat pedals. I have not tried clipless because that learning curve you mentioned has me concerned lol. I am not ready to spend that much on everything for clipless and find out I can't learn it good enough.
Hopped on a buddy's bike to feel it out and immediately messed up and horribly slashed my shin with his flat pedals (I always run clips). That's the end of that.
run flats alltime, 10 nails each side, haven't got shinners in years, use the center of your feet not your front feet, and propper bike set up so it won't bounce you off. Most of people getting shinners are using flats wrong
I grew up riding clip less but at the beginning of every season I switch to flats to gain the confidence back and push progression for a few weeks. It gives me something fun to do well build back up the cardio endurance!
I've used clips back in the day, then switched to SPD clipless and haven't looked back. It's so natural to have a solid link with the bike. I started using clipless ina time when we all rode hardtails and suspension was minimal. if you were not secured with the bike, then you quickly were bounced away from it. Today suspension on average trail bikes are so cushy, flats work out for many people. It won't be me. I can unclip and hit the ground faster than you can with a flat because I don't have to lift up from the pedal to get off. Down and over and bam, foot on the ground.
I go back and forth.. I rode clipless on my fixed gear and roadbike.. went to flats on my mtb..made the switch to clipless a few months ago on mtb. Tried going back to flats but my feet were all over the place in the chunk. Maybe I'll switch back.. but I feel more comfortable and confident clipless now.
I have tried switching back to flats after riding clipless, but after almost a month of riding my feet still felt all over the place. I like not having to think about my feet while riding.
There is no doubt clipless are better for XC/Trail riding. They allow you to use more muscle groups, spreading the fatigue and allowing you to ride farther, longer and in the ling run faster. On Enduro/DH stuff I am now riding flats (Deity with 510 freerider) And the ability to dab and pull of on technical stuff is nice, and there really isn't the need for spreading the fatigue as you aren't generally 'pedaling' near as much. Took some getting used to because those 510s are sticky! And there is NO float. Once your foot is on the pedal, that is the position it stays in. On clipless there is between 5-15 degrees of float in your heel which you don't notice until you don't have it.
I’m 64 so as a kid rode flats, then moved up to clip pedals with the leather toe strap, then later to clipless which is what I ride today on my MTB. Now, considering going back to flats. Full circle heh?
did the same. after 15 years only riding frogs I have gone back to flats. as i get older being able to get out without thinking about it becomes more important. and yes I miss the feeling of control with the frogs.
Flats. Too broke to make the switch. Maybe one day I'll do both, but I'm in no hurry. A group of friends actually made the switch from clips to flats. They love it.
It's easier to climb trails, especially over loose terrain when clipped in, due to the fact that you can just spin. It's a different ball game on flat pedals. There is a section at my local trail where I can 100% climb up clipped in, but not so on flat pedals. However I see this as a challenge and hence sticking to flat pedals for at least a while longer. Btw I changed from riding clipless to flat pedals after more than 20 years of riding to learn the 'proper' techniques of bunny hop.
Thanks for the upload. I tried clipless but fell off a few times. Entertaining for onlookers but embarrassing and painful for me. There's a long off-road trail near my home and it'll be worth trying clipless pedals in an environment with no road traffic.
I started with toe clips in the 80's, Powergrips in the early 90's, clipless since then. Currently running 5TENS on Flats until I can't ride no more here on planet Earth.
Just started riding two weeks ago. I find I really like to dab on hard sections and switchbacks that aren't banked so I think I'm going to stick with flats.
Thanks for the video - I rode on flats as a kid and then moved to toe clips in my teens (include MTB) - my preference is to have clips (or clipless) for the control. In the last few years I found I do a lot of walking with the kind of riding I do and much prefer to have proper walking/hiking shoes.
Crankbrother Mallets have been a game-changer! Best of both worlds on my Cutthroat. I do have flat pedals on my dedicated MTB though and clipless on the road bike.
My father bought a MTB with Shimano clippless in the mid 90s and uses them with the 2nd bike today, he likes them but I want to start MTB ING in the near future and will try both of em.
Thanks for this video,I lost friendship with a cyclist mate ,because criticizing me too much about NOT using clips instead of my comfortable flat pedals.
Flats. They suit my style of riding better. Rode a few years on clip-less & went back. Love flats!! WWC - you should do a video on flat pedal pin configurations, a lot of people are unaware of how much you can improve pedaling performance & overall enjoyment on a bike by lowering a few pins or taking a pin out on specific areas of the pedal, cheers!
Haha. I used to ride my 1996 Gary Fischer with toe clips. Immediately went "clipless" and LOVED it. Getting back into riding again 25 years later and I'm still very comfortable with clipless but went with crank brothers stamps anyway... I may try my clipless again, I don't know
Rode clips for years in 80' and 90's. Also had clipless road bike. Got back into the MTB game and started clipless. After 2 years tried flats and never looked back. Much more confidence in the techie stuff. Do miss the clipless for those long climbs though.
Ive ridden SPD's since the 1st year they were made. But now I have an issue with feet/ankles which was threatening to keep me off the bike,so I drug out some basic Flat pedals and so far no new shoes but even with some basic stiff Keen sandals I am back on the bike with 0 ankle or feet problems. Im thrilled really,I will get good shoes and pedals and be good to go. The Shimano shoes look good.
I ought not to said that, I was 25 miles down a trail on a fatbike, temp at 95 feeling like a rooster. I had to crow. Funny thing was I was on flats. I do ride clips occasionally though just for the danger of it.
I switched to clipless pedals foremost to be faster on the usual trails we have where I live. The trails have lots of roots and small rocks and trying to pedal effeciantly on flat pedals on those trails is almost impossible (I thought then anyway). So, I went for clipless. I must confess I had a great amount of fear starting out on them, and the thing was I was also learning how to properly ride a mountanbike. That was not a good idea. The fear of not getting out of the pedals when I encountered something I wasn't sure I could handle stuck for me for quite a few months. The thing is though, as I progressed as a rider along with being more comfortable with the pedals I suddenly realized being clipped in was so immensely beneficial. When I got the confidence that the obstacles in front of me could be mastered being clipped in was helping me stay connected to the bike I was maneuvering. Nowadays when I have to clip out because I fail at some technical part I just have to be clipped in when I try again or I will be super flimsy on the bike, no confidence or control. In conclusion : ride good flat pedals until you can take on most things on a trail with confidence (steep climbs, rock gardens, descents, obstacles) and then begin riding with clipless pedals. If you then get over the fear of not clipping out when you need to you will love the clipless pedals.
Back in the day the shoes you would use with toeclips also had a cleat on the underside of them. The cleat had a horizontal groove in them that would slot over the back edge of the pedal. When you then pulled the strap tight, it would indeed lock your foot to the pedal. Track sprinters traditionally used two straps for additional security. It was thought, perhaps rightly, that a 'sprinters kick' was so powerful that it might still pull their foot out of a single strap and toe clip. When Shimano first introduced the SPuD, it was a game changer but that was largely because so many people coming into mountain biking were doing so from road and cyclocross. The real revolution was the flat pedal revolution that was the gift given to us by riders like Sam Hill and Nathan Rennie, whose loose, fast and dynamic riding style was something we all wanted to emulate because it just looked so effing cool!
The area I ride is pretty rocky, and all but two of the 10 or so people I often ride with ride clipless pedals. I generally find I am lighter on my bike, and get thrown around less on the rock sections being clipped in and able to control my bike better from my centre of mass, rather than worrying about trying to keep my feet on my bike.
Tried clipless but feel unsave when it comes to technical stuff on the trail. It feels saver for me when i know i can put the foot down. The other thing is that i learn jumping and bunnyhopping the right way.
After 20 years riding clipped in, I switched to flats last year and I don't plan on going back. I like being able to move to different places on the pedal depending the situation and the flats eliminated a pain I was having behind my knee and some pressure point numbness in my foot.
I’ve ridden with flats for years, then in the clip phase and on to clipless (crank brothers). Here is my opinion! Clip in sucks! Flats are good for those not too aggressive, but for me clipless makes me faster, more secure, hit jumps harder, downhill faster, cross creeks easier and chug through mud aggressively
Flats make my daily commute alot better lol I hated the stock plastic pedals on my commuter mtb,after changing them to a cheap pair of $25 flats from Amazon the difference in power output was like night and day literally.
I ordered new RF Chester pedals a couple days ago and they arrive tomorrow (Wednesday)! I’m excited to put them on because my current pedals are worn out quite a bit, especially for them being metal (Assuming aluminum).
I can't make up my mind to be honest. I was on clipless for half a year before going back to flats. But I think the problem was that the clipless pedals had a Q factor that was too narrow and my heels always rubbed by chain stays and crank arms. I'm purchasing 15mm pedal extensions to see if that helps. Otherwise I actually don't mind clipless at all, I like them because my feet don't come off when my bike skips a gear and I can sometimes get in a pedal stroke or two in rock gardens that I couldn't with flats. With that said, some of the extremely steep trails I've been on with my flats would have been a bit uncomfortable on clipless pedals but I'm sure it would have been fine either way. Also done half a race run unclipped because I couldn't clip back in haha. Bit of a negative point there but I suppose you could put that down to rider error.
After my injury i bought five ten high shoes for flats, those gave me more support for the ankle and reliance if i have to bail out. My injury was for stucking the foot in a muddy downhill...in a rock...so any time i see riders doing the same i think: "how?!! Why?!!" 😣
Clips were dragging on tarmac until secured. Clipless made me feel too locked in. Flat pedals give me a better feeling overall. It’s always going to be a very personal choice.
Im 21 and I got into riding 2 month ago after i got the trailbike from my dad. In the beginning just to get to work and back (about 8km part street, part dirt trails). Mostly just to get in better shape. For the past 4 weeks i also began riding longer mountain trails with 20km and longer. Avoided it for a long before because of Asthma and general lazyness. Now im really getting into good shape. Started riding with a Friend who has done that since he was a kid and even he was impressed with my rapid improvment. Hes pretty lean and after he got pretty hungry even left him in the dust at 35km. Though in the beginning i could bearly keep up on the hills. Then i saw him get out of the clicks and thats someting i never knew about before. Saw that the bike i was ridning also was clipless/flat hybrid and found my dads shoes for it. Went on a ride last friday and it was amazing. Felt like i could keep a 20% faster pace with less energy spent. 45km ride made over a km in elevation upwards and not even felt tired in any way. Fell like i can daily 50km trails now
Running clipless crankbrothers mallet E to combat having my feet ejected on rocky sections when using flats. I always felt I needed 2 hard charge a rocky section with flats, relying on my momentum to get thru the rocks b4 my feet would be ejected from my pedals. I switched a few years ago and now I feel as tho I can take my time and really 4x4 a rocky section with no issues... I'll always love my flats but I'm loving the connection to my bike cheated in...
You've confused the issue. In the early 80s, we went from toe clips with groved cleats and straps to "clip-in" pedals, not clip-less. The system used by road bike racers, i.e. toe clips with groved cleats and straps, were more confining when tightened than a properly adjusted clip-in pedal. Both of these systems required a cleat. A clip-less pedal is a pedal with no groved or snap-in cleat, no strap and no clip; just a flat pedal.
I rode clip pedals for a long time on the trail, then tried flats recently. With the flats, I had a much better time on the trails because my confidence level improved greatly. Now, I only use clip pedals for road riding and flats for trail riding.
I tried to go clipless too soon I think and had several nasty accidents because of it. Totally turned me off to clipless. I've been on flats for a long time now and they work great for me with my 5 Tens. I still have my clipless pedals and shoes in my closet. Maybe I need to dust them off and give it another try now that I''m a better rider.
Flats or clipless pedals - Which do you all prefer?
Both!
Started on Flats then quickly went to SPD after many shin hits. Love them. This was a great vid as. Finally know why the name “Clipless”.
I use the old clips and strap and flat pedals ( only on one bike) I find that the wider platform of flat pedals allow you to apply more power to the pedal I find that with clips and straps it allows you to spin better what you learn using flat pedals can be transferred to using clips and straps or in today's terms clipless pedals because you learn when to apply power
Clipless is great for XC, not so much fo trials. I mostly ride trials, so I use flats.
i ride flats, i always think about clips (especially when climbing) but then i remember all the times being on flats saved me... like 2 days ago when i hit some wet roots while cornering, and put a foot down and rode out.... i probably would have been down if clipped in.
I've done both for significant amount of time. Rode clips for 10 years, then flats for 4.
Advantages clips: I enjoyed the rear wheel control and connection to the bike, plus pedaling power up hill.
Disadvantages: Always nervous through rock gardens/tight rocky turns, and they can really put you into bad habbits over time, especially with body position, forgetting to push your weight through the bottom bracket, and incorrect form during bunny hops.
Advantages Flats: Confidence! They teach you better body position, weight transfer, heel drop, etc. I push my heels through the bottom bracket and just rail through rock gardens! With sticky 5/10's and long spikes on the pedals, I've never bounced my foot off on rough stuff. Way better cornering, in my opinion, and I feel more confident on steep rocky transitions.
Disadvantages: It takes more effort and technique to move the rear wheel around, or hop it up over logs/rocks. Scandi flicks, and that sort of thing. Bear trapping! You will end up with punctures in your shins and calves. Just get used to it ;)
Overall, I haven't gone back to clips. Weighing all the pros and cons, I determined using clips just gave me too much extra to think about and even though they might be small things like, remembering to bring your shoes, trying to get your feet clipped while dropping in, having to make sure you can get your foot out if you don't have enough momentum to get up a transition, etc.. I just found all of those thoughts added up to a less enjoyable experience overall.. But thats just one guy's opinion, AND I'm not out there trying to shave seconds in enduro races. It really does come down to personal preference, but with that said; I recommend trying both for significant periods of time on varying terrain before deciding. Make sure to get used to both, and learn the nuances of each. After all, you don't want to rush in to a decision about something that could alter your life forever! Just kidding, go have fun ;)
Excellent points, great write up. I just switched to flats last week after 20 years clipless, and I have 0 confidence. So you rode clipless for 10 years and have too much extra to think about? I'm confused, its second nature for me to unclip no matter how bad the situation is.
Scolecite: I never had a problem getting unclipped either. Mainly, for me, I started spending a lot more time riding Sedona which has zero flow for the most part. A lot of very steep rocky transitions where you drop down, G-out, then immediately have to get up a near verticle rocky wall. Just a lot of situations where you might have to bail out in a hurry or tip over backward. I personally found it easier to dab if needed, session sections, or not have the stress of getting my feet in place when dropping into a gnarly rock garden. That's what I meant about having less to think about. I always assumed I would switch back to clipless on big climbing days with lots of flowy DH, but once I got used to flats, I just never had the urge to go back. I hope that explains it a bit :)
This... well put overall experience.. Once you learn how to ride and control your mountain bike properly, you will be able to decide when riding clipped in or on flats would be a benefit too. You can go back and forth and with proper bike handling technique, you wont notice any difference between pedals.
Other less mentioned part of being clipped in is it does make your bike feel lighter. When you can manipulate the rear end of the bike(heavy end) easier, the bike feels lighter over all and can make a difference in overall experience.
Not all clips are created equal either.. even within the same brand, there are huge differences between pedal and shoe interfaces.
It is hard to try all combinations, but helps a ton if you can..
@@DenizMerdano Better information than the video. Nicely done. The video didn't give me anything after 7 min. ????
Well said!
Finally someone is able to explain the clip'less' terminology, THANKS! Meaning I can finally sleep again after all these worrisome years.
literally every cycling channel has explained it several times.
The French terminology (from where the pedals originate, Look make sky bindings) is automatic pedals and the Germans use click pedals. Clipless is mainly English usage.
If you started riding with toe clips like I did...! 😁
In fact, I hated regular toe clips so much, I started using road shoes with those plastic slotted cleats and double toe straps to completely lock me in. I couldn’t get out of my pedals to save my life; but it made me a good bike handler! I was happy when SPDs came along though.
P.S., I know you’re being cheeky. I just had to be cheeky back. 😉
I've never been serious enough in any of the formats of biking to take the jump to clipless, but a funny story I tell about a buddy of mine deals with the challenges of learning clipless on trails. As a teen we were on a trail that followed a river about 20 feet up from the water with relatively steep banks. My buddy had just gotten clipless about a week prior and was still getting used to transitioning on and off. We hit a technical/sandy part of the trail and another buddy in front of him drastically slowed down. I watched him come to a standstill, his feet twitch a few times as he tried to pop free and then watched as he tumbled sideways down the embankment and into the water. In the time it took my brain to decide that he hadn't popped up yet and this was about to be a major problem he burst through the surface. We were dumb teens and laughed it off, but adult me shudders about it now.
So yeah, kids, if you're going to try clipless get comfy on them before you hit technical trails!
One Opinion you’re right. Luckily someone told me to try them first on grass, as pretty much for sure you are going to eat shit the first time you try to get out. After all these years now it is effortless and I don’t even think about it. It’s automatic.
Don't forget, bikes float. But yes clips are a liability anyways,
Before clipless pedals existed, I used road shoes with the slotted plastic cleats and double toe straps that completely locked me in. To get out of my pedals, I had to physically reach down and swipe the straps open. It forced me to learn not to get in situations like you describe and it made me a damn good bike handler. I could track stand forever.
@@hughdunbar9823
I have gone over the bars a few times during my MTB career and it’s so second nature that I’m clicked out almost right away before I even start to go over.
You, my young friend, just did an amazing job touting the pros and cons of both, without any subliminal judgement! I’m 65.....riding since I was 6? 7? In my junior high years, I bought my first quality bicycle with the “ten speed craze” that happened in the late 60s to early 70s. So my early riding was long distance, road riding....and I used those toe-clip, cage-strap devices. Never went clipless.....even with higher quality road bikes I bought in later years....though recently, I have given them some serious thought (for road trips). However, most of my riding now is long distance off-road, backcountry bikepacking.....to access remote fly fishing spots through New England north country. I like for my shoes to do double-duty walking and riding and campshoe....without the stiff “click, click” of clipless. Still......maybe? This old retired, law-dawg....maybe I can learn a new trick? Again, well done.....Bravo-Zulu on a great presentation. Keep on riding......second star to the right......!
I've also learned riding a road-cycle at the times of toe-clips and leather straps. It was that or rubber blocks. Those were a real pain in the neck when tightened. Fortunately there were the 'automatic' ones with a roller that opened with the flick of the thumb, but still. When the first clip-ins appeared, they were a revelation and a revolution. Never LOOKed back, so to say
There are plenty of hikeable clipless shoes to be had. You can have the clipless experience with shoes that don’t impede walking or hiking at all. You can even get full on sneakers that work with clipless pedals now. No sounding like a goat or horse when you walk.
@@grimp53
I used double leather straps with road shoes and the plastic slotted cleat that locked me in completely. It forced me to become a really good bike handler and kept me from getting lazy and hiking. I was really glad when SPDs came out though. Trying to walk on rocky trails with road shoes and plastic cleats wasn’t fun during those times that I had no choice.
I tried lipless for a while, they never felt great. Had a big crash with them and remained clipped in during the crash which tore my rotator cuff! I'm happy on flats
I’ve tryed clipless pedals for a couple of months, it felt weird, always thinking about clipping in and out, so went back to flats. Bought a nice pair of five tens and i felt so much better. (Exactly what you said!!)
Great video! I hear people arguing about what’s “better”, flat or clipless all the time. I ride flats and I thought I would give clipless a try, I am not giving up but I really did not think I was missing out like some of my friends told me. I like the feeling of freedom of movement on my bike, I can put my foot down if I need to, and I don’t have to even think about it. With the clipless I felt I was overthinking everything and had to “plan ahead “ and it was taking from the enjoyment. I know, I know, it would probably go away if I stuck with it, but like you said in the video and many don’t get, you have to do what works for you and just enjoy the ride! I took mountain biking later in life, I’m 41 and have been riding for 2 1/2 years now and staying in one piece is key for me Lol. (I was a roadie for the longest time and then long distance runner, but I find MTB to be so much more fun!)
I rode flats when I first got my bike and then progressed into using clips because I realized the benefits of using clips in a race environment and have loved them ever since
I recently started triathlon training and got a road (time trial) bike that came with Shimano clipless peddles. I had never used them but went with it as it seemed like everyone in Triathlon uses them. I’ve put about 500 miles on my bike and have crashed/fallen 3 times now because I needed to come to a quick stop to avoid traffic but couldn’t get uncliped in time and ended up on the ground (in the road, in traffic, NOT A GOOD situation). I have decided to go back to flats purely from a safety perspective. It’s just not worth the risk, I need to be able to put my foot down, or even ditch the bike altogether, without having to wrestle with twisting my feet to get free of the pedal.
I grew up in my teens riding flats, when I rediscovered mountain biking in my early 30's (now 34) I have ridden clipless. I love the pedal feel and ability to bunny hop the bike over obstacles as you can pull up with your legs rather than relying on all out technique. Great channel guys, and another great vid.
Stoked to hear you are back out there and thanks for watching!
I was going back and forth with this topic. In the end, and after spending almost $300 on clip in pedals and shoes, im back to the flats. Its more comfortable and more enjoyable. Thanks for the vid. U got a like and a sub from me my friend. ✌🏾
I ride clips on my left foot and flats on my right foot. I wear 4 extra socks on my left foot to compensate for the weight difference.
oneup alloy pedals 355grams shimano xtr M9120 405 grams plus cleats
I only shave the left leg, so I only get half the aero advantage, but it's saves 50% shaving time!
Best RUclips comment I’ve seen lately
I suppose you also only turn Left as well 🙂
Good sound advice. Nice little history in the beginning too, I'm old enough to have used toe clips back in the 80's and have seen all the evolution pedals. No one could imagined all these enhancements 30 yrs ago.
“Riding bikes is about being comfortable and enjoying yourself”
Also, riding bikes is about sitting in painfully awkward positions for long periods of time on “saddles” made from space age polymer ultralight granite.
The latter is the sports side of things, which in some parts of the word (North America especially) they seem confuse as being the whole point of biking when it really isn’t.
Personally I ride a bike to exercise and get around. I don’t really care if I’m the fastest.
What a Fred
I never used clip pedals, then I can not talk, I want to try them in the future, I use flat pedals Race Face Chester in orange color to match with my bike details, the pedals are just amazing, completely control of my bike, it give a lot more confidence and the grip between my shoes and the pedals are just awesome. I just love them. Cool video!
I started out mountain biking on a pair of Shimano SPDs, and hated it. I was constantly falling over and was hesitant to try more difficult trails because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to unclip in time. So I went out and bought a good pair of flat pedals and some Five Ten shoes. I rode with them for the last 4 years, and my riding progressed every year more and more. This year I started to feel like not being connected to the bike was holding me back from further progression for downhill and enduro riding, so I decided to give clippless another try. I bought some Nuke Proof Horizon CL pedals and some Five Ten Kestrel SPD shoes, and my riding has sky rocketed since. I love the feeling of the connectivity to the bike, and now that I am no longer a newbie at mountain biking, I know what my bike and my skills are capable of and no longer hesitate. I would recommend that all new riders learn for at least a few years on flats, and then maybe try clippless once they are more advanced riders.
Great to hear stories like this! Glad everything worked out for you in the long run. It's not a bad idea for people to start off with platforms then try clipless down the road but at the end of the day, it's still personal preference.
Flats 4 life! (Coming down this Tuesday to have you guys build up my front wheel for me and look forward to seeing your shop!)
Nice! See you then :)
thank you so much for the video. I always felt the pressure to learn how to ride clip ins, cause i thought "that's what the pros do" but like you said, I feel sketchy on them, my confident level is low, basically the learning curve make me nervous on the trail. Now back on flat, I am having so much fun and confident while riding. I am gonna stick with flat and never look back haha
Yeah Jeff, you're cool man. Love your channel. I'm a huge tool nowadays, I have all this cool gear, but I suck. I guess I always knew I sucked (even from my father when we rode together as a child, I could never keep up) so I just replaced it with cool gear. Meh, what can you do? Really like your channel, I applied at like five bicycle shops, and none of them got back to me. You're doing great, I think you found your calling.
Oh about a week ago I was riding clipless and stalled out on an uphill rooty area and had a low speed fall over. Could not get out of my Egg Beaters. My right calf took a painfull blow with a root and my right hip was torqued. The worry I have with the clipless is hip injuries. It still hurts and I fear getting a hip injury in the future. Been riding for 6 years. Thinking about going to flats.
Ya know what, I am 60 and know nothing starting on road biking. I really really like your delivery. Thank you very much! I must say clipping in seems scary, perhaps I will evolve but you made me feel ok for now.
SPDs. I learned with flats, evolved to toe clips, then SPDs came along and never looked back.
Like many, I rode BMX on flats back in the day (Bob Haro, Toby Henderson era) and didn’t get into MTB until later in life. I bought my first Kona about 25 years ago with clip pedals and later switched to clipless, which I’ve been riding ever since...until last year. I decided to try out some flats wearing 5-10’s and, after some adjustment to riding technique, fell in love with. Riding flats just make riding more enjoyable for me. I may still swap them out for clipless from time to time just to change things up, but I’m happy riding flats and that’s all that matters.
In the exact same boat. I could bunny hop a garbage can on my Dyno Detour, now after 20 years of riding clips and switching to flats last week I'm petrified. I'm not giving up, but I AM wearing shin guards :)
Best video on this topic I've seen on RUclips & there is a literal tsunami of videos. Hats off brah. Hats off! 🇦🇺.
I ride clips on my trail bike, but I hit up the dirt jumps/manual practice on flat pedals to learn new skills and to keep myself honest with my technique.
I agree, I tried both long enough and now I ride flats/510 on my mountain bikes and clips on my road bike. That’s my preference but nothing wrong with either. Ride whatever you like just enjoy riding :)
On an other note I follow you guys for a while and your general ‘dislike’ of Shimano sticks out every time even in this video. You said SPD was hard to unclip but it’s misleading because the spring tension is adjustable to a point when it’s too easy to unclip. Crankbrothers’ release angle is much bigger and requires more foot rotation to unclip which is harder especially for first timers. I saw this around me many times. Of course they can still be your preferred pedals but don’t be misleading if you want to be credible.
I'll sum up the video (with a quote from the video!) and the entire ongoing argument in general... "it's a totally personal preference".
Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I myself ride flats almost everytime and only switch to clipless when joining races. IMO, this should hold back anyone from riding. Just ride what you prefer and where you're comfotable with ;)
I started out on flats but got tired of all the shinners and slipping off all the time so I got clipless pedals and love how connected I am to the bike and how I can put the back wheel wherever I need to.
Started out mtb-ing with flat pedals. Switching to clipless pedals made bigger improvement on my riding than any other accessory or gear.
When I was introduced to MTB’ing I was told I needed clipless.. I’ve since stuck with it and am one of my only in my group that rides clipped.. Whenever introducing people to riding I suggest flats since people seem to be more comfortable being able to drop a foot easily
Appreciated the history/contex and your non-judgemental comments. Big help. Thanks
Always used flats. Is google monitoring my spending? I just bought some cleats today to test if clipless is for me and this video was recommended. Food for thought people.
If you bought them online, of course google knows.
That’s why you have to accept all these cookies.
To get personalized ads etc.
Some important points you did not talk about:
while the Shimano SPDs give you a far less float while you are clipped in, the crank Brothers egg beaters require much greater rotation to completely release which is significant during an emergency release when you are falling and not yet experienced on clipless....
Also, for mountain biking you can get the multi-release cleats where a heal lift releases the foot. That doesn't exist for crank Brothers. Finally, Shimano SPDs have a spring tension adjustment. I recommend unsure beginners use the multi-release cleats and set release tension to minimum and then increase release tension as you get accustomed. That way, you will likely get released from your pedals in many falls even if you forget to twist your feet on the way down. You also get less benefits as there will be many inadvertent releases while you ride, but you can increase the tension as you get used to it.
Rode clipless for about 2 years, recently switched back to flats... I can’t say I like one more than the other, trade offs on both sides!
Crank bros new pedals. Flat on one side, clip on the other. Win win!
which one?
@@gosman949 Crank Brothers Double Shot series. They have a few versions of the double shot.
Man I was thinking there has to be a way to have both on one pedal. Thanks.
Shimano 647s did this 20 years ago.
I bought them last year getting into clipless on the best ones and the pins on the flat side suck. Don't do it
Didn’t know that this was so important,thanks RUclips recommended
Bro I have been riding mths my whole life and I finally learnt why it’s called clip less pedals so thank you
Hey guys, I just got my pair of clipless and so far, I'm enjoying it! It feels amazing and the gain in pedaling efficiency is huge!!
Switched to flats for a while to review basic skills. Gonna go back to clips soon. The idea of going through a rock garden on flats scares the crap out of me.
Smart idea going to flats for your skills. I suggest you stick to it until you feel aggressive on flats. If you're getting bucked off on flats in rough shit then you need to slow down and work on riding smooth + change your suspension so you are in control. Otherwise one day you're gonna get bucked on your clips and end up with a face full of rock. Plus that smoothness/control on flats will translate to speed on clips in the long run. keep at it! ruclips.net/video/CAg0PHGHOJk/видео.html
I got used to the clips holding my bike so I could just float over rough stuff. Now first week on flats in 20 years, I have to keep my weight on the pedals a lot more to keep the bike tame in rock gardens.
I’ve just recently tried riding clipped in, and while I can only do so on trails that aren’t too crazy, I think it’s a ton of fun, and I can’t wait to get better! That being said, as a fairly amateur rider, there’s a time and place for them. If I’m doing a more advanced ride, I’ll go with what I know best and ride my flats.
I don't care which one - I want that bike in the background!!
After over 20 years on clipless I switched to flats just to change things up. I am having a total blast on the flats. I feel way more confident when trying new skills like Manualing and American Style Bunnyhop.
I could buy special expensive clipless pedals for my 2 bikes, and then the compatible shoes, and the cleats - or I could ride decent flat pedals with good pins and a pair of moderately priced BMX shoes that I can walk in. One way, I perhaps gain a couple of percent in efficiency in certain very specific situations; the other way I save a hell of a lot of money and have more versatility. If you're not racing, and don't need every tiny marginal gain in performance, you're falling for marketing. I've done many 100+ mile days with the CTC, ridden with the Tandem Club, and I ride geared and fixed bikes on the road and cross country, and I ride unicycles on and off road. It's surprising how simple just riding a bike used to be - and how simple it still is if you just do it instead of buying into all the marketing.
Never road clips, only flat pedals from a kid on a Bmx to a adult on a Mtb.
me too
Me 4
You’re not supposed to ride road clips, you’re supposed to use mountain bike clips.
I switch to Clicks and i love it, i rode them without any pins too make the Spring in the Crankbrother softer and to learn it quicker. And now i screwed Pins in and to be honest, its one of the best feelings ever
Road - Clips
CX - Clips
XC - Clips
Trail - Clips
Enduro/Downhill - Either one depending on how comfortable i am on those particular trails
YES A NEW VIDEO ❗❗ From one of my favourite channels :)
Awesome explanation of "clipless" in the beginning.
I could never get used to Clipless, so Flats Fo' Life!!
I absolutely love my XTR M9100 Clipless Pedals on my Epic.
Shimano makes optional SM-SH56 SPD Multi Release that you can detach in any directions for safety. Very easy to bail!
I'm considering to buy Clipless for one main reason: On Flats, when going over bumpy terrain, my feet tend to move around on the pedals, giving me an unsafe position. Then I try to move them back to place, which takes my focus away from the trail, which makes my lines even more sketchy and bumpier.
Hey Eduard! Try getting those heels down and pushing into the bike over those rock gardens. Often a minor form change makes a world of a difference!
I have ridden clipless for years on road bikes and then got the MTB bug. I'm a heavy rider and tough on kit. I used to smash through rock gardens and loved a good bit of air. Found myself not being able to unclip at times I really needed to. Then I noticed I was destroying the pedals. I went through two pairs of egg-beaters, two pairs of Shimano and one other brand (They are all expensive..) before I got a set of V8 flats. Hated them at first and then, as you mentioned in the video, I discovered Five-Ten. Amazing shoes. It was like being clipped in without the pain. Good video by the way.
I use both - they each have benefits depending on the ride and bike - Clipless on my Gravel Bike, flats on my touring bike.
Everyone makes the Sam Hill reference, but remember Connor Fearon has been on flats for years also.
THANK YOU! I have tried searching for why they are called clipless, and what the clips are. All I could ever find was what a clipless is, but nothing for what a clip actually was. Now I finally know, so again thank you.
I use flat pedals. I have not tried clipless because that learning curve you mentioned has me concerned lol. I am not ready to spend that much on everything for clipless and find out I can't learn it good enough.
Literally the first google search result for "what are clipless pedals" tells you where the name comes from
Hopped on a buddy's bike to feel it out and immediately messed up and horribly slashed my shin with his flat pedals (I always run clips). That's the end of that.
Shinners are no fun!
My left shin is full of scars from messing around on my buddies flat pedals... totally worth it.... not.
..i hate a shinner!!
run flats alltime, 10 nails each side, haven't got shinners in years, use the center of your feet not your front feet, and propper bike set up so it won't bounce you off. Most of people getting shinners are using flats wrong
Same
I grew up riding clip less but at the beginning of every season I switch to flats to gain the confidence back and push progression for a few weeks. It gives me something fun to do well build back up the cardio endurance!
I've used clips back in the day, then switched to SPD clipless and haven't looked back. It's so natural to have a solid link with the bike. I started using clipless ina time when we all rode hardtails and suspension was minimal. if you were not secured with the bike, then you quickly were bounced away from it. Today suspension on average trail bikes are so cushy, flats work out for many people. It won't be me. I can unclip and hit the ground faster than you can with a flat because I don't have to lift up from the pedal to get off. Down and over and bam, foot on the ground.
I go back and forth.. I rode clipless on my fixed gear and roadbike.. went to flats on my mtb..made the switch to clipless a few months ago on mtb. Tried going back to flats but my feet were all over the place in the chunk. Maybe I'll switch back.. but I feel more comfortable and confident clipless now.
I have tried switching back to flats after riding clipless, but after almost a month of riding my feet still felt all over the place. I like not having to think about my feet while riding.
Mike XT good insight. I guess we r in the same boat.
There is no doubt clipless are better for XC/Trail riding. They allow you to use more muscle groups, spreading the fatigue and allowing you to ride farther, longer and in the ling run faster. On Enduro/DH stuff I am now riding flats (Deity with 510 freerider) And the ability to dab and pull of on technical stuff is nice, and there really isn't the need for spreading the fatigue as you aren't generally 'pedaling' near as much. Took some getting used to because those 510s are sticky! And there is NO float. Once your foot is on the pedal, that is the position it stays in. On clipless there is between 5-15 degrees of float in your heel which you don't notice until you don't have it.
I’m 64 so as a kid rode flats, then moved up to clip pedals with the leather toe strap, then later to clipless which is what I ride today on my MTB. Now, considering going back to flats. Full circle heh?
did the same. after 15 years only riding frogs I have gone back to flats. as i get older being able to get out without thinking about it becomes more important. and yes I miss the feeling of control with the frogs.
I'm 67 rode clipless all my life going to try flats this season never too late to learn something new
So charismatic... Could listen all day
Flats. Too broke to make the switch. Maybe one day I'll do both, but I'm in no hurry. A group of friends actually made the switch from clips to flats. They love it.
One of the most honest review of flat vs clipless
It's easier to climb trails, especially over loose terrain when clipped in, due to the fact that you can just spin. It's a different ball game on flat pedals. There is a section at my local trail where I can 100% climb up clipped in, but not so on flat pedals. However I see this as a challenge and hence sticking to flat pedals for at least a while longer. Btw I changed from riding clipless to flat pedals after more than 20 years of riding to learn the 'proper' techniques of bunny hop.
Thanks for the upload. I tried clipless but fell off a few times. Entertaining for onlookers but embarrassing and painful for me. There's a long off-road trail near my home and it'll be worth trying clipless pedals in an environment with no road traffic.
I started with toe clips in the 80's, Powergrips in the early 90's, clipless since then. Currently running 5TENS on Flats until I can't ride no more here on planet Earth.
Just started riding two weeks ago. I find I really like to dab on hard sections and switchbacks that aren't banked so I think I'm going to stick with flats.
Thanks for the video - I rode on flats as a kid and then moved to toe clips in my teens (include MTB) - my preference is to have clips (or clipless) for the control. In the last few years I found I do a lot of walking with the kind of riding I do and much prefer to have proper walking/hiking shoes.
Crankbrother Mallets have been a game-changer! Best of both worlds on my Cutthroat.
I do have flat pedals on my dedicated MTB though and clipless on the road bike.
My father bought a MTB with Shimano clippless in the mid 90s and uses them with the 2nd bike today, he likes them but I want to start MTB ING in the near future and will try both of em.
1 vote for the CB vs Shimano video!
Thanks for this video,I lost friendship with a cyclist mate ,because criticizing me too much about NOT using clips instead of my comfortable flat pedals.
Aw, that sucks! There is no correct way to ride a bike as long as you are having a good time and not crashing!
Flats. They suit my style of riding better. Rode a few years on clip-less & went back. Love flats!! WWC - you should do a video on flat pedal pin configurations, a lot of people are unaware of how much you can improve pedaling performance & overall enjoyment on a bike by lowering a few pins or taking a pin out on specific areas of the pedal, cheers!
Definitely something to consider. Thanks!
Great attitude, great information. Just well f'in done on this video. Cheers
Haha. I used to ride my 1996 Gary Fischer with toe clips. Immediately went "clipless" and LOVED it. Getting back into riding again 25 years later and I'm still very comfortable with clipless but went with crank brothers stamps anyway... I may try my clipless again, I don't know
Rode clips for years in 80' and 90's. Also had clipless road bike. Got back into the MTB game and started clipless. After 2 years tried flats and never looked back. Much more confidence in the techie stuff. Do miss the clipless for those long climbs though.
Ive ridden SPD's since the 1st year they were made. But now I have an issue with feet/ankles which was threatening to keep me off the bike,so I drug out some basic Flat pedals and so far no new shoes but even with some basic stiff Keen sandals I am back on the bike with 0 ankle or feet problems. Im thrilled really,I will get good shoes and pedals and be good to go. The Shimano shoes look good.
Just subbed, Clips is for no fear, it's like a skipper going down the with the ship. Clippless is for sweet peas
I ought not to said that, I was 25 miles down a trail on a fatbike, temp at 95 feeling like a rooster. I had to crow. Funny thing was I was on flats. I do ride clips occasionally though just for the danger of it.
I switched to clipless pedals foremost to be faster on the usual trails we have where I live. The trails have lots of roots and small rocks and trying to pedal effeciantly on flat pedals on those trails is almost impossible (I thought then anyway).
So, I went for clipless. I must confess I had a great amount of fear starting out on them, and the thing was I was also learning how to properly ride a mountanbike. That was not a good idea. The fear of not getting out of the pedals when I encountered something I wasn't sure I could handle stuck for me for quite a few months.
The thing is though, as I progressed as a rider along with being more comfortable with the pedals I suddenly realized being clipped in was so immensely beneficial. When I got the confidence that the obstacles in front of me could be mastered being clipped in was helping me stay connected to the bike I was maneuvering. Nowadays when I have to clip out because I fail at some technical part I just have to be clipped in when I try again or I will be super flimsy on the bike, no confidence or control.
In conclusion : ride good flat pedals until you can take on most things on a trail with confidence (steep climbs, rock gardens, descents, obstacles) and then begin riding with clipless pedals. If you then get over the fear of not clipping out when you need to you will love the clipless pedals.
I ride clipless, and I do love it. But lately I've actually been thinking of going flat to see if I notice a difference in my riding style.
Back in the day the shoes you would use with toeclips also had a cleat on the underside of them. The cleat had a horizontal groove in them that would slot over the back edge of the pedal. When you then pulled the strap tight, it would indeed lock your foot to the pedal.
Track sprinters traditionally used two straps for additional security. It was thought, perhaps rightly, that a 'sprinters kick' was so powerful that it might still pull their foot out of a single strap and toe clip.
When Shimano first introduced the SPuD, it was a game changer but that was largely because so many people coming into mountain biking were doing so from road and cyclocross. The real revolution was the flat pedal revolution that was the gift given to us by riders like Sam Hill and Nathan Rennie, whose loose, fast and dynamic riding style was something we all wanted to emulate because it just looked so effing cool!
The area I ride is pretty rocky, and all but two of the 10 or so people I often ride with ride clipless pedals.
I generally find I am lighter on my bike, and get thrown around less on the rock sections being clipped in and able to control my bike better from my centre of mass, rather than worrying about trying to keep my feet on my bike.
Tried clipless but feel unsave when it comes to technical stuff on the trail. It feels saver for me when i know i can put the foot down. The other thing is that i learn jumping and bunnyhopping the right way.
After 20 years riding clipped in, I switched to flats last year and I don't plan on going back. I like being able to move to different places on the pedal depending the situation and the flats eliminated a pain I was having behind my knee and some pressure point numbness in my foot.
Had a big otb on practice day today for a downhill race tomorrow. Happy I was riding flats. Broke my thumb though so no racing tomorrow
Bummer, heal up!
I’ve ridden with flats for years, then in the clip phase and on to clipless (crank brothers). Here is my opinion! Clip in sucks! Flats are good for those not too aggressive, but for me clipless makes me faster, more secure, hit jumps harder, downhill faster, cross creeks easier and chug through mud aggressively
Flats make my daily commute alot better lol I hated the stock plastic pedals on my commuter mtb,after changing them to a cheap pair of $25 flats from Amazon the difference in power output was like night and day literally.
I ordered new RF Chester pedals a couple days ago and they arrive tomorrow (Wednesday)! I’m excited to put them on because my current pedals are worn out quite a bit, especially for them being metal (Assuming aluminum).
I can't make up my mind to be honest. I was on clipless for half a year before going back to flats. But I think the problem was that the clipless pedals had a Q factor that was too narrow and my heels always rubbed by chain stays and crank arms. I'm purchasing 15mm pedal extensions to see if that helps. Otherwise I actually don't mind clipless at all, I like them because my feet don't come off when my bike skips a gear and I can sometimes get in a pedal stroke or two in rock gardens that I couldn't with flats. With that said, some of the extremely steep trails I've been on with my flats would have been a bit uncomfortable on clipless pedals but I'm sure it would have been fine either way. Also done half a race run unclipped because I couldn't clip back in haha. Bit of a negative point there but I suppose you could put that down to rider error.
After my injury i bought five ten high shoes for flats, those gave me more support for the ankle and reliance if i have to bail out.
My injury was for stucking the foot in a muddy downhill...in a rock...so any time i see riders doing the same i think: "how?!! Why?!!" 😣
Clips were dragging on tarmac until secured. Clipless made me feel too locked in. Flat pedals give me a better feeling overall. It’s always going to be a very personal choice.
Im 21 and I got into riding 2 month ago after i got the trailbike from my dad. In the beginning just to get to work and back (about 8km part street, part dirt trails). Mostly just to get in better shape.
For the past 4 weeks i also began riding longer mountain trails with 20km and longer. Avoided it for a long before because of Asthma and general lazyness. Now im really getting into good shape. Started riding with a Friend who has done that since he was a kid and even he was impressed with my rapid improvment. Hes pretty lean and after he got pretty hungry even left him in the dust at 35km.
Though in the beginning i could bearly keep up on the hills. Then i saw him get out of the clicks and thats someting i never knew about before. Saw that the bike i was ridning also was clipless/flat hybrid and found my dads shoes for it.
Went on a ride last friday and it was amazing. Felt like i could keep a 20% faster pace with less energy spent.
45km ride made over a km in elevation upwards and not even felt tired in any way. Fell like i can daily 50km trails now
When it comes to pedals... I go both ways
Running clipless crankbrothers mallet E to combat having my feet ejected on rocky sections when using flats. I always felt I needed 2 hard charge a rocky section with flats, relying on my momentum to get thru the rocks b4 my feet would be ejected from my pedals. I switched a few years ago and now I feel as tho I can take my time and really 4x4 a rocky section with no issues... I'll always love my flats but I'm loving the connection to my bike cheated in...
You've confused the issue. In the early 80s, we went from toe clips with groved cleats and straps to "clip-in" pedals, not clip-less. The system used by road bike racers, i.e. toe clips with groved cleats and straps, were more confining when tightened than a properly adjusted clip-in pedal. Both of these systems required a cleat. A clip-less pedal is a pedal with no groved or snap-in cleat, no strap and no clip; just a flat pedal.
I rode clip pedals for a long time on the trail, then tried flats recently. With the flats, I had a much better time on the trails because my confidence level improved greatly. Now, I only use clip pedals for road riding and flats for trail riding.
Great go-to combo!
I tried to go clipless too soon I think and had several nasty accidents because of it. Totally turned me off to clipless. I've been on flats for a long time now and they work great for me with my 5 Tens. I still have my clipless pedals and shoes in my closet. Maybe I need to dust them off and give it another try now that I''m a better rider.
I have been riding cliped in for 15 years but that was on a road bike , I am changing to gravel/trail riding and am considering trying flats.