Clips or flats ...

[Profpointy]

I never understand how some people have such trouble keeping their feet on flat pedals.

OK, that's a bit of a loaded contribution - but I'll answer anyway. It's not that I / we "have such trouble" it's just that clips and straps or clipless make cycling easier and more efficient. Some folks can't be arsed with either clips or special shoes - fair enough, but others, myself included find the security / comfort / efficiency well worth the slight inconveniecnce

 

[clid61]

Interesting topic, which has certainly not come up before.....

why comment then ?

 

[Stevec047]

Well I have just popped into Evans and ordered the A530 OE that are £29.99 online told to bring the bike and shoes with me next weekend and they will fit them and set them up for free so we will see how I get on with them and if it helps with the knees.

 

[wonderloaf]

Well I have just popped into Evans and ordered the A530 OE that are £29.99 online told to bring the bike and shoes with me next weekend and they will fit them and set them up for free so we will see how I get on with them and if it helps with the knees.

Shimano do a range of Click'R SPD pedals that are easier to clip in and out of, just right for clipless newbies like you (and me!). I've got a pair of these on my road bike (expecting a visit from the style police very soon) but have been running them for 7 months now and can highly recommend them:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-pd-t400-click-r-clipless-mtb-pedals/rp-prod104618

I like them because they don't need a lot of force to clip in & out and because they're double sided there's no faffing around to find the clip side. Also when you're taking off from standing you can just use them like normal pedals and then clip in later, although it's so easy it becomes second nature very quickly. Road.cc also reviewed a pair of similar ones:

http://road.cc/content/review/69035-shimano-clickr-pedals-pd-t400

They're not too expensive either, which is nice!

 

[Citius]

why comment then ?

In order to make that point, obviously.

 

[Brandane]

There's this thing called "rain"...

What difference does rain make when it comes to keeping feet on flats? Flats have moved on from the potentially slippery blocks of rubber in the 60's!

I use flats, but they have pegs for good grip. I tried clipless but didn't get on with them for various reasons - mainly because I didn't like my foot being stuck in one position for all cycling activities (climbing, descending, fast, slow - all of which IMHO require small adjustments of foot position). Couple that with the foot cramps I got after anything more than 20 miles (OK I know the set up probably wasn't spot on, but I experimented and NEVER got it right) and I reckon any advantages were heavily outweighed. At my standard of riding, I am under no illusions about supposed performance gains in any case.
Often my rides also incorporate some other activity (pub, shops, visiting, eating etc.) rather than a simple home to home loop. I prefer normal footwear (and non lycra clothing too) for such activities.

 

[screenman]

I have flats on one bike, which is the same bike I catch my shins on when walking with it.

 

[Stevec047]

Shimano do a range of Click'R SPD pedals that are easier to clip in and out of, just right for clipless newbies like you (and me!). I've got a pair of these on my road bike (expecting a visit from the style police very soon) but have been running them for 7 months now and can highly recommend them:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-pd-t400-click-r-clipless-mtb-pedals/rp-prod104618

I like them because they don't need a lot of force to clip in & out and because they're double sided there's no faffing around to find the clip side. Also when you're taking off from standing you can just use them like normal pedals and then clip in later, although it's so easy it becomes second nature very quickly. Road.cc also reviewed a pair of similar ones:

http://road.cc/content/review/69035-shimano-clickr-pedals-pd-t400

They're not too expensive either, which is nice!

Yeah I did have a look at those as well but prefered the A530 as they have a bit more grip to the flat side and as nearly all of my riding is in the muddy and wet country side I thought it would be better to have grip rather than a flat pedal like the others.

 

[Banjo]

I didn't find the A530 pedals gave me very good grip at all in the wet so drilled them and fitted some pins made out of bits of stainless steel mtb spoke.
DMR flat pedals are great for gip.

 

[Stevec047]

I didn't find the A530 pedals gave me very good grip at all in the wet so drilled them and fitted some pins made out of bits of stainless steel mtb spoke.
DMR flat pedals are great for gip.

I have a nice pair of deep grip specizelzed mtb shoes so hoping that the grip from the shoes and the shape of the flat should help a little. I hope to be riding clipped in 90% off the time once used to clipping in and out.

 

[wonderloaf]

I have a nice pair of deep grip specizelzed mtb shoes so hoping that the grip from the shoes and the shape of the flat should help a little. I hope to be riding clipped in 90% off the time once used to clipping in and out.

I was a bit hesitant to start but now can't imagine riding without being clipped in. I think I'll end up putting the SPD's on the MTB (which currently has flats with pins) and then getting some 'proper' road pedals and shoes for the road bike.

 

[Drago]

What difference does rain make when it comes to keeping feet on flats? Flats have moved on from the potentially slippery blocks of rubber in the 60's!

because even the finest milled alloy MTB bear traps become slippery when a lubricant such as water is applied. Indeed, modern pedals are far better than the bakelite blocks used in the 60's, but compared to being clicked in it's simply not in the same league.

 

[suzeworld]

I never understand how some people have such trouble keeping their feet on flat pedals.

I never understand how you can even start off with flat pedals, how do you pull it up for the first move off? I get into a right pickle when I hire flat pedal bikes on holiday ...

 

[tallliman]

I never understand how you can even start off with flat pedals, how do you pull it up for the first move off? I get into a right pickle when I hire flat pedal bikes on holiday ...

Agreed, I think its just being too used to being attached to the pedals!!

 

[tyred]

I never understand how you can even start off with flat pedals, how do you pull it up for the first move off? I get into a right pickle when I hire flat pedal bikes on holiday ...

I had figured that out by the age of four