Talk to Me About Flat Pedals

[Artista]

O.K. I switched from SPD's to flats on my mountain bike this spring. I've been using some really cheap, really thick, pedals knowing that I needed to switch to something better soon. Now is the time.

So here are my questions:

• If you use flats, which ones are you using?
• What do you like and dislike about them?
• Any pedals that you really hated?
• Any pedals on your wish list?

I don't mind investing some $$$ in pedals as I've learned that they are arguably the most important contact point on the bike, (spoken by someone who managed to break her ankle when her foot slipped off of an unclipped, SPD pedal).

TIA!

[Irulan]

http://www.twenty6products.com/predator.html

pedal lust

[Catrin]

I love my Sunringle ZuZu pedals. Very well made, and they have stood up to many, many falls over the last year.

I like that they have adjustable pins and also that they have so many of them. I don't like that they are black, I want them to be in colors like the Predators that Irulan provided a link for I can't tell from the Predator site if the pins are adjustable or not.

Like with all good pedals of this type, one has to think about pedal slap regardless of the pedals you choose. The bear claw type that you provided a link to will also do that, but the pins increase the likelihood. Basically they are meat tenderizers and can do a number on your shins and calves, which is why I wore shin protectors last year until I got used to them. I still wear them occasionally and will likely invest in a better pair as I start to ride more advanced trails.

[Artista]

Those titanium, Twenty6 pedals are works of art! Especially the silver with multicolored pins. I also like the pin design which looks like it would never be a problem to replace a sheared off pin. These pedals are high on my list but I'd probably go with the less expensive, cromoly version.

Canfield Crampon Ultimates are also on my radar.

Those ZuZu's look like solid pedals and I like the price point. I'm leaning toward a really thin pedal, though, as I've experienced some problems with the tall front and back edges of my current pedals.

[atombessy]

I use these on my mountain bikes:

http://www.crankbrothers.com/pedals_mallet.php

I like that if I miss the clip the pedal is still totally secure/comfy to ride on, feels like the best of both worlds! May or may not be up your alley depending on why you're switching from SPDs to flats.

[Artista]

I use these on my mountain bikes:

http://www.crankbrothers.com/pedals_mallet.php

I like that if I miss the clip the pedal is still totally secure/comfy to ride on, feels like the best of both worlds! May or may not be up your alley depending on why you're switching from SPDs to flats.

Thanks. These look like they would be great if I was willing to risk clipping in when I didn't want to. What I really want are thought-activated-auto-release clipless pedals. Flats are the closest that I can get at this point in technology.

[Catrin]

What I really want are thought-activated-auto-release clipless pedals...

Ooooh, now THIS I would put on my mountain bike! The problem isn't clipping in, it is getting clipped out in time. If you find them Artista let me know

[Artista]

They're making such amazing advances in nerve impulse activated prosthetic limbs that the idea of thought activated clipless pedal release may not be so far fetched in our grandchildren's world.

[Twenty6Products]

http://www.twenty6products.com/predator.html

pedal lust

Thanks for the hat tip, Irulan!

Just to give you a heads-up, we have last year's Prerunner flat pedals on sale in our web store with cromoly axles in white and urban camo. Plus, $20 of the sale goes to bike trail advocacy and awareness in our community (Gallatin Valley, MT) so it's for a good cause.

If you're used to being clipped in, the two things that will matter for you most in a flat pedal are grip and thinness of the pedal body. I can assure you that you won't find a grippier flat pedal - and I don't just say that because I represent Twenty6 - you can see it for yourself. Look at all the flats out there: manufacturers seem to make a cool shape for the pedal body, then throw some set screws in a few locations for traction pins, almost as an afterthought. We design our pedals backwards to that method, by deciding where each pin should be located for maximum grip, then designing the pedal body to support those locations. You can see it in the pin design and the raised, islanded pin seats. Think of each pin as a micro-clip; each one is important to holding your foot in place.

Sorry if this is a long-winded post, but we're pretty passionate about all of our components (made entirely in-house here in Bozeman, MT, USA), so it's hard to shut me up. To make up for bearing with me, I'll throw this out to you - mention this forum post when you snag a pair of Prerunners from the web store, and we'll install aluminum traction pins of any color you choose - just leave a note during ordering.

Happy pedaling,
Andrea the Marketing Girl
Twenty6 Products Inc

[Irulan]

omg i might just have to give in. I already have some other of your bling on my bike....

[Anelia]

My husband rides these ones and they are very light. But for a better grip, I think these would be better.

[Artista]

I'm in!!! Thanks for explaining how Twenty6 pedals differ from the competition, Andrea. Can't wait to get off of those bear traps!

[Artista]

Thanks for the links Anelia. I'm pretty smitten by the Twenty6's at this point.

[indysteel]

Okay, I've now officially driven myself crazy trying to decide between a flat/grippy shoe combo and clipless. I've read more than a few threads on MTBR on the subject and read countless pedals and shoe reviews, but feel no closer to a decision. Honestly, I'd like to learn how have both setups eventually, but that seems like a costly experiment at this point. Logically, it would seem that pinned flats would be the next best step on my learning curve, but I'm still hesitant to pull the trigger.

With either option, I anticipate shoes being the sticking point. I have a narrow heel and, if my experience in trying to a road shoe is any indication, it's going to be a challenge to find a shoe that works. Someone on MTBR suggested the Five Ten Guide Tennie. That might work. But the same issue applies to clipless shoes. I've tried on a handful over the last year, and they also slipped rather badly in the heal.

But, ultimately, it just comes down to confidence. I don't have vast quantities of it on the trail, and I don't want to do anything that will jeopardize what little I've been able to build. I don't put my foot down all that often as it is--at least unplanned--on the trails I'm currently riding. My biggest trouble spot are rooty uphills or steep uphills in general. Of course, I might climb a heck of a lot better with a better connection to my pedals. I'm so excited about riding at this point, the thought of having to take it back a few steps to practice with clipless bums me out a bit, but maybe I'm making too much of my clipless fear. I started using them on my road bike with no problem and have had few incidents with them, even in emergency situations.

Ugh. Somebody hit me over the head. The lawyer in me is overthinking this.

[Catrin]

...Ugh. Somebody hit me over the head. The lawyer in me is overthinking this.

<Bonk> I understand all about overthinking - as a long-range transportation planner I am quite good at this myself.

I am kind of in awe that you are considering making this move, but you've been riding a long time and you've certainly been riding clipless far longer than I've been riding. I know two other women who started trail riding last year who started out clipping in without too many problems that I've heard about.

Is there any way you can do a test run clipped in to see what you think? I honestly can't remember what pedals you ride on the road or if you already have mtb pedals. If not, can you can borrow a pair? I've a pair of SPD shoes that I use for spinning class you could borrow if our sizes are close enough for a test...an experiment might help you make up your mind.