I got quite used to "clip type" pedals, the polymer basket with the strap. Got used to doing a little wiggle on start and the food being locked in pretty solidly, regardless of terrain. There's a technique to launching a MTB on difficult terrain getting your feet locked into the pedals, but like anything, it's muscle memory. Having to do a quick bail of the pedal is also muscle memory and not as scary as people imagine. For clip type, it's a quick pop of the foot rearward. For clipless, it's a quick splay of the heel. After a lot of use, you don't even think about the process of getting off the pedals, you just do it.
I struggle with flats,coming from many years of riding road bikes,we were taught the most efficient way of riding is pulling up,not just pushing down,so find it very hard to stop myself pulling up and completely off my peddle.
You should be pushing and pulling for maximum efficiency, but I get where you are coming from. Always fun to learn a new thing though! Would only add to your skill set.
I've tried clipless and flats, both pretty extensively, and I definitely prefer flats; I almost never use clipless anymore. Clipless pedals probably do have a performance advantage, but it's really small, maybe 5-10% on climbs and sprints, and the difference isn't even measurable on level ground. You can totally ride on flats and still be a "serious" rider. I just think flats are more comfortable and convenient in almost any riding environment, except for road racing and really technical mountain biking. On really long rides, four hours or more, it's really nice to be able to shift things around and stay comfortable, and to have shoes that you can walk around on if you need to get off the bike occasionally. Flats are especially practical for touring and bikepacking. But I don't think one type of pedal is objectively "better" than the other; it pretty much comes down to personal preference.
My recommendation for anyone starting with clipless. Start on Shimano SPDs and use multi-release cleats, makes getting out much easier. I would never recommend Crank Brothers to new clipless riders, they're hard AF to get out of quickly. Not all SPD type pedals are created equal either, one example, the Nukeproof Horizon SPD pedals, they use the Shimano cleat, are super easy to get into, but extremely difficult to unclip from because the release angle is really wide. My shins really appreciate my switch to SPDs
Whaaaaa?! I have honestly never seen such wizardry. I shall consult the googles and return, but I’d say yes, at first thought that would like be a good middle ground for riders. You have any insights?
I'll ride clipless at the bike park too. I actually don't mind jumping on clipless at all. At least if your foot comes unclipped on landing it's not turning your shin into hamburger in the process. All my shin carnage on flats has been having a foot come off while landing a jump.
I´m not that skilled and feel safer on flats when riding My trailbike. Riding My hardtail XC-bike I´ll be using clipless - in Denmark we also call these "click-pedals" because of the distinct click-sound when clipping in!
I got quite used to "clip type" pedals, the polymer basket with the strap. Got used to doing a little wiggle on start and the food being locked in pretty solidly, regardless of terrain. There's a technique to launching a MTB on difficult terrain getting your feet locked into the pedals, but like anything, it's muscle memory. Having to do a quick bail of the pedal is also muscle memory and not as scary as people imagine. For clip type, it's a quick pop of the foot rearward. For clipless, it's a quick splay of the heel. After a lot of use, you don't even think about the process of getting off the pedals, you just do it.
Well said, and im sure this goes for clipless too but with flats the right combo of shoes and pedals is key 🔑
Very true!!
I struggle with flats,coming from many years of riding road bikes,we were taught the most efficient way of riding is pulling up,not just pushing down,so find it very hard to stop myself pulling up and completely off my peddle.
You should be pushing and pulling for maximum efficiency, but I get where you are coming from. Always fun to learn a new thing though! Would only add to your skill set.
This thing about pulling up being more efficient has already been refuted in so many biomechanics researches out there.
I've tried clipless and flats, both pretty extensively, and I definitely prefer flats; I almost never use clipless anymore. Clipless pedals probably do have a performance advantage, but it's really small, maybe 5-10% on climbs and sprints, and the difference isn't even measurable on level ground. You can totally ride on flats and still be a "serious" rider. I just think flats are more comfortable and convenient in almost any riding environment, except for road racing and really technical mountain biking. On really long rides, four hours or more, it's really nice to be able to shift things around and stay comfortable, and to have shoes that you can walk around on if you need to get off the bike occasionally. Flats are especially practical for touring and bikepacking. But I don't think one type of pedal is objectively "better" than the other; it pretty much comes down to personal preference.
Agreed.
Most of the MTB trails in my area have a lot of small climbs. That 5 to 10% advantage starts to add up.
My recommendation for anyone starting with clipless. Start on Shimano SPDs and use multi-release cleats, makes getting out much easier. I would never recommend Crank Brothers to new clipless riders, they're hard AF to get out of quickly. Not all SPD type pedals are created equal either, one example, the Nukeproof Horizon SPD pedals, they use the Shimano cleat, are super easy to get into, but extremely difficult to unclip from because the release angle is really wide. My shins really appreciate my switch to SPDs
My shins do as well. Solid advice
I remember demoing SPDs at Big Bear and getting a free tshirt. That was 1990.
Them was the days!
What do you think of the magnetic pedals? Are they in-between flats and clipless? Might they be ok for beginners?
Whaaaaa?! I have honestly never seen such wizardry. I shall consult the googles and return, but I’d say yes, at first thought that would like be a good middle ground for riders. You have any insights?
I was wondering about this too but they gotta be heavy… i dont know a single rider with them.
gravel bike / mellow trails = clipless technical, jumping , and parks = flats for me
Fair play!
Clipless unless you're taking a chairlift up. 🤣
That’s fair! I am clipless, up or down. Lock me in!
I'll ride clipless at the bike park too. I actually don't mind jumping on clipless at all. At least if your foot comes unclipped on landing it's not turning your shin into hamburger in the process. All my shin carnage on flats has been having a foot come off while landing a jump.
I feel much safer riding clipless.
Same!
I´m not that skilled and feel safer on flats when riding My trailbike. Riding My hardtail XC-bike I´ll be using clipless - in Denmark we also call these "click-pedals" because of the distinct click-sound when clipping in!
Click pedals makes a lot more sense than clipless! Haha. Cheers man!
The clipless pedal isnt clipless while the non clipless pedal IS actually clipless!
Mind blowing, isn’t it?!