clipless vs. platforms

[MikeP]

I've heard stories of the dual sided pedals having the clipless stick up too far for sneakers and being uncomfortable...

not sure what you mean by this, but the cleat should be built into the sole of the shoe. are you talking about riding clipless with regular sneakers?
the only other thing I can think of is a sneaker style mtb shoe (clipless) will generally have a stiffer sole to support the cleat maybe that could be uncomfortable. as far as combo pedals, if you like just the one sided pedals then stick with it. I've been riding SPD pedals for 20+ years and it works for me.

 

[wonderturtle]

I think this issue is all about preference and feel. If you prefer platforms, then you ride platforms. If you prefer clipless, you ride those.

^^^^this ^^^^

 

[Matt_]

No. I never said anything as pretentious as that... maybe I spoke incorrectly.

... i'm glad there are other users of the platform/clipless pedals than just myself. which ones do you use? i was looking at the crankbrothers but they got mixed reviews... so far, i'm liking my cheapie $40 wellgos 😉

Ah, ok... maybe i did just read it a bit off. I'd never rag on someone for the pedals they use, like others have stated that I totally agree with, ride what YOU feel comfortable with.

After a few rides with my dual sided Shimano A530s i really wasn't happy with the dual sided feature. There were a few times where i had to stop on tough trails and they made it difficult to jump right back on while in a techy section. I found myself worried too much about what side of the pedal i was going to hit and focused less on the trail ahead.

I then went to the Shimano 545s... these solved that issue, but were very uncomfortable with shoes- i might as well have had a non-platform clipless pedal.

My 545s ended up breaking (end cap fell off, i ignored it and bent the cage). I then went to the TIME ATAC Z pedals.... WINNER. They were comfortable with shoes and i liked the clipless mechanism better than SPD (again, another "personal preference" thing).

Those are the pedals that my other beginner friends have been trying and they have really liked them so far as well.

 

[skaterqwertyuiop]

Here's an interesting article that at least attempts to link to some scientific sources claiming clipless has no efficientcy benefits. I'll continue to use clipless as that's what I'm used to but I do find some of the research enlightening. Maybe best answer is Lewis Morris & South (x Sourlands) no reason not to go clipless, anywhere North and at least give it some thought.

from www.BikeJames.com

I was just about to post his podcast on clipless pedals. IMO flats beat the hell out of clipless, if you have proper pedals and shoes. I went from clipless to flats and have not regretted it ever.
http://mtbstrengthcoach.podbean.com...nutrition-101-debunking-clipless-pedal-myths/

Check out his podcasts.

 

[bruce.b]

I switched to flats in the mid 1990's and would never consider using anything else. I get no performance advantage from foot retention and find flats much more comfortable. I use flexible shoes, Vans Old Schools, 5/10 Basics, etc. 5/10 Impacts are too stiff, heavy and thick for anything but winter use, for me. Dual sided may work if you mostly ride clipped in, but is useless for any serious unclipped riding. You need the right pedals and shoes for flats to work well. I'm now in my mid 50's and plan on riding until at least 90 and flats are an important part of the plan. They are safer and easier on the knees, lower body and back. For me, clipless pedals would be about like having a clipless saddle, I'd rather be able to move around on both.
Still, the best answer is to ride whatever you like. It's just riding a bike.

 

[soundz]

these flats look interesting

 

[J-Dro]

these flats look interesting

It would take me just 1 cased landing to demolish the bearings on those pedals.

 

[I Ride Bikes]

You need the right pedals and shoes for flats to work well.

Agreed.

My years riding bmx taught me what combination works best. If I can keep my grip on my pedals doing a 180 up a couple steps a bmx with 110psi in the tires, riding straight with low psi on a big wheel is cake.

Nothing against clipless at all, considered it many times. However, I ride DH also and I tell everyone who knows me that I don't want to get used to being clipped in riding XC all the time and then get on the mountain and start slipping pedals.

 

[sirscoobydoodoo]

Hi. I'm new to this forum. Started riding on Smartys (worst pedal ever). Not too fond of eggbeaters due to lack of platform. Switched to XT. However, all my ventures into clipless made me less confident on the trails. I find myself flying down the hills and hitting berms faster on platform despite the long arduous climbs & loss of pedaling efficiency. I switch them out a lot - clipless on 6 Mile, platforms at Chimney Rock.

I haven't found a balance in between. Maybe someone can comment on Shimano 647's or 545's. Thanks

 

[dnap]

I know this has been beat to death, but....

I started riding the mtb on Shimano XTR SPD's and I can't see ever using another pedal. I'm intrigued by flat pedals, but I value my legs way too much to consider going that route. I simply can't imagine riding xc without being clipped in, but what works for me may not work for everyone 🙂

 

[Mildly Wild]

With all the talk about clipless masking pedaling defiencies, here's how clipless actually made me a better rider:

When first riding trails with clipless I get to this very tight rocky spot where I am about to stall the bike and there's no tree to grab and my inside pedal is in the 12 o'clock position and (panic) I am about to fall and can't get out of the pedal, somehow my body figured out real quick how to keep the bike upright and moving (without putting a foot down). Had I had the platforms, I would have just dabbed a toe and stopped there. With the clips it was either fall or keep moving. In that nanosecond, I learned how to recover because I had to. That has replayed itself many times since.

This is however, an interesting and thought provoking discussion. I wonder sometimes if I defend clipless bcause I invested so much energy getting aclimated to them. But I am so used to the clips now that I would feel naked riding without. Being clipped actually makes me feel more secure.

I use the Shimanos XTs with mutli angle cleats and the tension set on the low side. It never comes out when I don't want it to and I can yank my foot out from just about any angle if I have to.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[jck]

This is the reason I actually like platforms better. I can stay on my pedals trying to crank through a stall with the confidence that if I do tip over I can get a foot down very quickly.
Gives me the confidence to keep going even if I know im probably going to tip over in a section.

With all the talk about clipless masking pedaling defiencies, here's how clipless actually made me a better rider:

When first riding trails with clipless I get to this very tight rocky spot where I am about to stall the bike and there's no tree to grab and my inside pedal is in the 12 o'clock position and (panic) I am about to fall and can't get out of the pedal, somehow my body figured out real quick how to keep the bike upright and moving (without putting a foot down). Had I had the platforms, I would have just dabbed a toe and stopped there. With the clips it was either fall or keep moving. In that nanosecond, I learned how to recover because I had to. That has replayed itself many times since.

This is however, an interesting and thought provoking discussion. I wonder sometimes if I defend clipless bcause I invested so much energy getting aclimated to them. But I am so used to the clips now that I would feel naked riding without. Being clipped actually makes me feel more secure.

I use the Shimanos XTs with mutli angle cleats and the tension set on the low side. It never comes out when I don't want it to and I can yank my foot out from just about any angle if I have to.

Just my 2 cents.

Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk

 

[wonderturtle]

....somehow my body figured out real quick how to keep the bike upright and moving (without putting a foot down). Had I had the platforms, I would have just dabbed a toe and stopped there.

I wonder sometimes if I defend clipless bcause I invested so much energy getting aclimated to them. But I am so used to the clips now that I would feel naked riding without. Being clipped actually makes me feel more secure.

both great points and match how I feel.

I am a pure "XC" rider - i.e., a wimp when it comes really technical crap...after nearly 20 years of riding 😉 so I dont really worry too much about disengaging from the pedals. If i see a hairy technical section ahead or a too-large log I have NO PROBLEM getting off the bike and walking through the technical stuff. but on the rare occasion when I do have to take my foot out (e.g., losing traction on a loose uphill) I have no problem getting out of the clipless pedals.

this thread made me think about platforms (never considered them before at all). however, dont really think I would benefit from them due to my riding style and the parks that I ride in.

 

[clarkenstein]

this thread made me think about platforms (never considered them before at all). however, dont really think I would benefit from them due to my riding style and the parks that I ride in.

give flats a shot, but if you do, give it a little bit of time. it takes a little getting used to. i used clipless for a long time on my x/c bike, but some time ago (don't know how long but years) i decided to put the platforms from my DJ bike on my x/c bike. haven't been on clipless (on dirt) since. the first thing to come back was bunnyhopping and once that happened the clipless mtb shoes have just collected dust.

 

[sirscoobydoodoo]

so no one uses shimano 647/545/424? in other words clipless pedals with larger platforms?

 

[Frank]

so no one uses shimano 647/545/424? in other words clipless pedals with larger platforms?

I run 545's on all my bikes except my DH, on that bike I run 646's. Set them on the loose side and have no troubles.

 

[koolshaggy]

My shins and calves would love for me to learn how to use clipless.

 

[jck]

My shins and calves would love for me to learn how to use clipless.

I'm using 5.10 Karvers with TwentySix Prerunner pedals. They stick to each other like glue, love it.

That being said...

It hasn't happened yet, but I do dread the day when my legs get introduced to those traction pins...

Thinking of replacing my black traction pins with red pins. They look blood thirsty.

 

[cuda]

My biggest fear while riding is landing on my top tube. It isn't the most common occurrence, but it is the most painful one. Attaching my feet to my pedals helps keep things safe.

That said, I've also found clipless just helps when pedaling through rough and bouncy terrain.

 

[Dave H]

When I bought my new bike I was talked into clipless. The first time out I fell 3 times. Now 5 or 6 runs in I haven't went down again. Although I still sweat anything technical I still give it a try. I do feel they make you a better rider but will switch to regular pedals on more technical runs. At least for now. You will get used to ejecting quickly.

On another note. Compared to my buddy I ride with that has eat beaters I have alot more skin on my calves. Lol