Talk to Me About Flat Pedals

[Catrin]

I agree entirely on the having fun part. I must admit that I find the idea of clipping on on the trails to be intimidating, but more importantly, at my level I don't need to do so in order to have fun. Just like you, however, I find a need to be more connected to my pedals. In a way my choice is easier as I already have a fine pair of pedals, I just need grippier shoes. Whenever, if ever, I choose to try clipless it will be my beloved Frogs.

Have fun, whatever your decision. I think I've been reading those same threads as you.

[indysteel]

I have to say that I was a bit amazed this past weekend. My friends took their 22-year old nephew out both Friday and Saturday for this first times on the trail. Right or wrong, they had him in clipless pedals from the start. He ended up doing, the beginner and intermediate trails at Fort Ben and Pine Loop, NT, part of Green Valley, and Limekiln at BCSP. He has a few mishaps, but nothing serious and I don't know that they were clipless related.

Now, I think it's really misguided to send a new rider out with clipless (and by new, I mean he'd NEVER used clipless on any kind of bike), but he did fine. I don't share that to make anybody, myself included, seem like a big chicken if they don't to ride clipless, but it did make me wonder if I'm overthinking it a bit for my own purposes.

[Irulan]

He's probably a natural. I would never,ever recommend clipless for a beginner. When I coach, one of the requirements is flat pedals.

[indysteel]

He's probably a natural. I would never,ever recommend clipless for a beginner. When I coach, one of the requirements is flat pedals.

Yeah; I was shocked when I saw that he was clipless. My friends aren't reckless themselves so I'm not sure why they let him use them.

[Artista]

Indy, I second the idea that flats are more fun. I'm a much more aggressive, confident, and competent rider now that I'm back on flats. I didn't notice any difference in power but I built a lot more muscle while I was off the bike. I believe that clipless pedals don't contribute any more power than what we can achieve with more muscle.

You should ask how many people on mtbr converted from clipless to flats and then went back to clipless. I'm guessing that most folks who do technical riding and convert from clipless to flats don't go back to clipless. I also think that you can't compare road riding on clipless to mtb'ing on clipless because the terrain and riding style are so different. Competent clipless road riding doesn't necessarily equate to competent clipless mtb'ing unless you're mtb'ing on super simple stuff like fire roads.

On a related note, my new Twenty6 pedals came today! I splurged on the polished silver with multicolored pins - found them at a significant discount on HucknRoll. They are freakin' beautiful! They're easily a third again as big as my bear traps yet surprisingly light weight. The pins are deadly sharp; I'm sure that my feet aren't going ANYWHERE unless they bounce straight up. I'll review them after I've done a few rides.

[indysteel]

Thanks for that perspective, Artista. I think I've more or less decided to go that route if I can find some grippy shoes that fit. DH has some BMX pedals I can test out. I otherwise would like to get anew set, preferably one with a thin profile.

[Catrin]

Congratulations Artista on the purchase! If I didn't like my Sunringle ZuZu pedals so much I would be tempted, and if I ever really need to replace them I will likely go that route. My vanity would love to have a pair that matched my bike, but thankfully my budget is standing there with her hands on her hips saying "what? I don't THINK so"

Pretty pedals!

I really need to upgrade my shin guards to something lighter/fits me better. The Lizardskins are HOT, and they weren't made for someone my height. I only use them to prevent pedal slap - this is the only down side to pins. Right now I am just not using them - which is probably fine for my current skill level and trails, but will need to change that when I start advancing again.