Cleats or flat pedals?

[mustang1]

Grant Peterson rides flats..

 

[Elswick Cotterpin]

Flat pedals with pegs, and my feet stick to them like you-know-what to a blanket.

 

[jonny jeez]

Cleats. when i ride with flats its harder, slower and far less enjoyable. I dont fell anywhere near as connected to the bike...literally.

I did a 65 mile coastal ride a year ago and had to visit a shop to buy some clipless pedals, I was really not enjoying the riding and kept pulling off the pedal.

 

[Citius]

Pedals don't have the ability to sense a crash

No sh1t. But your feet will still detatch, either way. I've just counted up and it's actually 25 years. So I'll see your 23 and raise you two..

 

[Drago]

Now perhaps Duncan can list the pro's as well?

 

[Citius]

Now perhaps Duncan can list the pro's as well?

Even a link to the thread would help...

 

[ManiaMuse]

Cleats all the way, feels safer imo being connected to the bike. One less thing you have to worry about when it's wet and slippery, more control at slow speeds I feel, same for weaving at high speeds if you suddenly have to swerve to avoid an obstacle or do an emergency stop. Plus definitely more efficient, or at least not unefficient (no pedaling with the heel of your foot allowed etc) and can't see it being a problem for your body as long as you make sure your cleat position/saddle height is adjusted appropriately.

Went for a mtb ride with my brother on my dad's bike with spiked flats once and just didn't get along with them at all, feet kept on slipping off the pedals and all the spikes were good for was whacking me in the shins with bloody results. Kept thinking that I would definitely have been able to keep up with him more if I could trust that my feet were going to stay in the same place and give me a solid platform..

Lucky you,mines didn't.
23 years MTB'ing,and I have never been hurt as much as having the bike attached to me
Pedals don't have the ability to sense a crash

Both times I have been knocked off while riding clipless my body has ended up separated from my bike/pedals with no damage to my feet/ankles/knees as a result. I have my pedals set pretty tight as well.

 

[vickster]

Do what you like and be glad you have the choice between different systems, pedals, shoes and so on

SPD for me. Don't get on with the shin and Achilles scrapes from flats, especially in the wet

 

[uclown2002]

Cleats as flats are just not pro.......................

 

[Banjo]

I use flat pedals.

You need pedals with pins to grip your shoes and some shoes grip better than others.
I have a light pair of summer trainers and a pair of waterproof lightweight walking boots for winter. Both will not slip off my pedals and allow me complete freedom off the bike.

I know a lady who completed PBP 1200 kilometres wearing pair of crocs with her flat pedals.

Use whatever works best for you .

 

[winjim]

Cleats. How else could you rotate the cranks to the correct position at traffic lights?

 

[vickster]

Cleats as flats are just not pro.......................

Nor am I but I still use cleats

 

[MontyVeda]

...

Use whatever works best for you .

^^^ This ^^^

If you're considering switching the type of pedal you use to help you go faster, you'll be disappointed with the results.

 

[OskarTennisChampion]

No sh1t. But your feet will still detatch, either way. I've just counted up and it's actually 25 years. So I'll see your 23 and raise you two..

Nope,can't trump 2 years experience
Although I did see my first Mountain Bike in 88,a Muddy Fox Courier.I thought it was the bees knees.
@ManiaMuse and yourself,it seems I had malfunctioning pedals then,never been back on.
DMR's and a pair of Adidas Goretex XCR's have served me well

 

[Dec66]

I think the answer is: "use what the SERIOUS CYCLIST uses".

Don't listen to mere morons such as I.