clipless vs. platforms

addicted7369

addicted7369

New Member
Hey whats up fellow rides? I'm new to the sport and still have a lot to lear and thats why my question is "What are the benifits of clipless over platforms and should I go to clipless or stay with platforms?" I have a tend to take my feet off the pedals quite a bit are clipless easy to get out of?
:getsome:HELP:getsome:
 
IMO if you are still learning and like being able to put a foot down stick with flats, clipless eventually get to the point where getting out is just as easy, but it takes some time to get there so until you are confident on the bike i would stay with flats.
 
I alternate between the two and for now I mostly use platforms cause I'm still learning and once I get better and not crash as much I'll probably ride clipless since I tend find myself in a gear or two higher than normal while clipped in
 
I started riding again a year and a half ago and went straight for clipless. It took some time to get used to. I took a few fall overs, but always when I lost momentum and not in a hairy situation, which is surprisingly easy to click out of in those cases.

I still have a pair of flats that I've used in places where its much more technical like Jungle Habitat. I rode clipless at JH the first time but I like being able to put a foot down when learning without having to worry about clicking in and more often the challenge of clicking back in on a steep part.

I suggest sticking with flats until you get to a point where you are looking for the little bit extra performance in speed and climbing ability. That is when clipless helps IMO. I am not even there yet but I tend to like to learn everything the hard way.
 
I know I am jumping in on this a bit late but here are a few articles about flat vs Clipless... My stance is I like my clipless and I think that in most cases they are fine I am not losing or gaining anything substantial with them but I am going to get a pair of flats and a good pair of shoes and save those for the technical places that I do not have alot of confidence at. For me its the mental portion of the flats that help. I think that I will feel more comfortable and much more confident to try things properly (i.e. with enough speed to get over the obstacle) with flats than clipless.

Clipless article

http://betterride.net/blog/2011/head-mtb-skills-coach-andy-ws-take-on-clipless-pedals/

Flats article

http://betterride.net/blog/2011/head-coach-andys-take-on-flat-pedals-for-mtb-riding/
 
IMO clipless are for road bikes where there is no where near the need to take your foot off the bike as much as it pertains to mtbing.
 
i am very much an intermediate+ rider who is comfortable going over logs but will avoid even minor stunts on the trails... that said, i couldn't imagine riding without the clipless; i feel i have more control of the bike with them than otherwise - IMO: you should invest the time in getting accustom to the clipless, you won't regret it;

most of time that I fall i am going up hill :hmmm:, so it doesn't hurt much :cry: , the other times, being clipped in was not the issue😱
 
Go clipless as soon as possible and learn how to get in and out of the pedals. The advantages to riding clipless are many (efficiency, control, comfort...) and far outweigh any disadvantages. Stick with easier trails until you feel comfortable.

On that note- if you are planning to learn how to dirt jump or ride any type of "stunts" then you want to be on flat pedals. They offer a slight advantage in that you can bail off the bike easier, which just comes with the territory when you're new.
 
Ironic I was just discussing this very topic with a friend. I am new and still on platforms but it seems fairly obvious to me that clipless will give you better efficiency. Remember you pedal in circles not up and down. There are about 20 to 30 degrees in the stroke where you loose power. Just before the bottom of the stroke at about "4 O'clock" and clipless will allow you to "pull" your foot through the stroke. I am going to give them a try soon. Experts correct me if I'm off here.

I think the folks who have stated both have their uses have it right.
 
Here is a another viewpoint on the supposed 'superiority' of clipless pedals.

http://www.bikejames.com/cardio-training/top-3-clipless-pedal-myths/

Personally, I'm a recovered clipless rider... meaning I rode clipless for over 10 years before giving flat pedals a serious look. I suffered an ACL tear (due to crash where my foot didn't unclip fast enough), and I went to flats just during the rehab period following knee surgery. My plan was to switch back to clipless after a few months, but I found no real advantage to them after being forced to acclimate to flats. There is a learning curve when switching to flats, especially on rocky climbs, but at this point I have no plans to go back to clipless. Get a pair of 5-10 shoes and you will find that your feet stick amazingly well to flat pedals.
 
I agree that 5.10 shoes plus good flats is remarkeably like being clipped in. Nothing at all like the days when I rode bmx or free style. You foot doesn't move around at all on the pedals. Even that took some getting used to as you need to put your foot down on the pedal where it is suppose to go and you can't easily adjust it after. Kind of like clipless.
 
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For what its worth... i am barely an "intermediately" skilled rider, but will attempt to tackle almost any trail put before me.

I can not ride most terrain unless i have my clipless pedals... im just more confident and feel safer clipped in. I can't clear most logs or obstacles unless im clipped in, thereby giving me the ability to "lift" the bike. And most of the climbs that I make look "easy" to my friends, i couldnt do if i wasn't clipped in and "pulling up" while i pedaled.

I've converted every one of my friends, who are new to mtb by the way, to clipless pedals. Every one of them has been resistant at first, and every one of them has said "wow i can't believe i waited so long".

The difference may very well be who you are riding with. If you're riding with other guys like me who aren't pro riders but show confidence on the clipless pedals, it may boost your confidence as well. $.02
 
mtbdawgJeff said:
Here is a another viewpoint on the supposed 'superiority' of clipless pedals.

http://www.bikejames.com/cardio-training/top-3-clipless-pedal-myths/

Personally, I'm a recovered clipless rider... meaning I rode clipless for over 10 years before giving flat pedals a serious look. I suffered an ACL tear (due to crash where my foot didn't unclip fast enough), and I went to flats just during the rehab period following knee surgery. My plan was to switch back to clipless after a few months, but I found no real advantage to them after being forced to acclimate to flats. There is a learning curve when switching to flats, especially on rocky climbs, but at this point I have no plans to go back to clipless. Get a pair of 5-10 shoes and you will find that your feet stick amazingly well to flat pedals.
Click to expand...

HELLLLLLLLLL YEAHHHHHHHHHH!! Welcome back brotha😀
 
WOW LOL ok well I see that this was a good question. Well I see how these new pedals are, I just got a set of mallets and some shoes that I can use with or with out cleats. If I dont like being clipped in I still have a good set of platforms. Thanks guys
:popcorn:
 
That's a great article there Jeff.... maybe I'm not crazy after all. Flats
are all I ride, and see nothing that being clipped in would contribute to the way I ride. I recently purchased a road bike and been riding clipped in and it feels a little more cohesive to that style of riding, but riding technical features and climbing rocky stuff .... meh, ain't my bag man!
If it works for you, then it works for you.
 
CLIP IN! Don't think twice. Helps with techi trails, climbing, and pedal efficiency. Don't worry, you will get used to it pretty rapidly. You will learn to clip out just as fast.
Most people I know were reluctant at first, but said they would never return to platform once they converted.

It took me only 1 good fall to remind me I was clipped in. Never forgot since.

I started with crank brothers smarties. Now have Shimano.

Hope this helps. Bless-ed.
 
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