Mountain Biking - Clipless of flats?

i was wondering about clipless pedals. All the guy i ride with use them but then again the mostly have FS XC or all mountian bikes.
I hate it when my feet fly off the pedals when i'm landing from a drop. I was just wondering if i should go with the some DH clipless or new flats. And any suggestions on what to get would be great.

My personal opinion...go with Time ATAC Z pedals. Plenty of platform to step on and the always famous Time ATAC system to clip into. From what I've seen recently, more and more Pro DH'ers are switching to clipless too...

I REALLY like the feeling of NOT having my feet fly off the pedals!

I am the absolute opposite. I can't stand clipless. For several reasons but mostly I don't like the idea of being strapped in. The terrain around here is technical enough that staying upright isn't always an option and tumbling down a cliff with my bike attached is not my idea of a good time.

Its all about personal opinion. Most freeriders I know use flats for my reason stated above. 50% of the dhillers use clipless and the rest use flats (the ones that use flats are usually also part time freeriders. Everyone I know personally in slalom uses flats and when I watched bikercross on the mountain last year I don't 'think' I saw any clipless in that instance. If you like them great on dh thy do help in the transitions where you need to pedal you ass off :)...

Oh and as for xc...well every competitive ride I know either uses clipless or power straps :)

I use clipless for longer rides, and flats for everything else, out of both I prefer platforms.

I ride pretty outrageously technical terrain here...and would only ride with my Time ATACs. Just re-enforces the idea that it's all personal preference.

For me - there is no way that I'd be able to pedal through, up and over some of the obstacles that I do with platforms, 'cause my feet would come off the pedals. I've seen very competent platform riders try the same things with major problems. When I'm hammering UP through a very rough rock garden - I'm using my full pedal stroke, pulling UP with the pedals at the same time I'm pusing down with the opposite foot.

Now - if I were up on a catwalk or a teeter totter, suspended 15+ feet in the air, I certainly might re-consider it...

But - it STILL comes down to personal preference and what you started riding with...and what makes you feel comfortable.

This is no stab at platform preference - but in my experience, most of the platform crowd I've talked to have not given themselves enough time with clipless to trust them.

ok sweet thanks
i also love platforms ecspecially because i can still hope as high as the guys using the clipless ( i like to make fun of them for that)
any suggestions on any platforms that would give me some better grip. I have knee and shin gaurds so i'm not worried about the whole cuts and brusies thing.

Originally posted by bikeCOLORADO
This is no stab at platform preference - but in my experience, most of the platform crowd I've talked to have not given themselves enough time with clipless to trust them.

In my case you are right. Mentally I don't like it. Being strapped in terrifies me. I also can't find shoes that I am willing to pay for in my price range and fit my feet. That and I ride teeters and skinnies on every ride so...:)

Pedals are disposable. Buy the ones that have removable pins, they are sharp and have a wider base. Eastons has a nice pedal. Also take a look for Funn Soljam pedals. Has all the pins plus some skateboard tape in the centre for added grip.

Call me crazy but lately I've been using a pair of Oddyssey Twisted Pros. Not the most greatest of pedal, but performs very nicely so far, waiting for my Tiogas to come in.

thanks for the ideas guys

i was also wondering? I need a new set of tires and was thinking about the Kenda stick E. I have a pair of kenda kenetics right now and they work good.

Terrain in the east is wet and rooty right? Michelins work well on that terrain and are really sticky. I don't know much about Kenda's so I can't really comment specifically.

How are you liking the snow this year? ;)

ah i hate the snow
i was doing a lot of riding before christmas but its been so cold and windy here lately. and all the trails are all snowed in. There is a few snowmobile trials to ride but i find that boring after a while too much like XC. thats why i started getting out of that scene. I have been doing a lot of snowshoeing actually though to keep in shape.
How's it out there you do much biking in the winter?

Right now I could be biking. We have virtually no snow (for Whistler anyways) and Squamish and the North Shore are clean as whistles. But I have been upgrading my bike and don't have it ready for riding. I wasn't really expecting any until April. I am alittle upset because I could be riding on my weekends but don't have the funds to totally get my bike on the trails.

Even during a regular winter we have riding on the shore (if you don't mind wet and very slippery) for probably 10 months a year. :)...

Winter Riding Tips (http://www.bikecolorado.com/bc/index.cfm/icwsurl/ID=FFD88F19-BD6E-4FA1-86EBB4DC1BF97331/)

Icebike Site (http://users.rcn.com/icebike/)

BTW - Thanks for the engaging and open discussion. It's nice to have found a forum where the participants are adult enough to openly discuss things and not get "bent" thinking they're under attack with the slightest hint of someone saying something different from their own experience or views...

Colorado Springs, CO - We ride virtually 12 months a year (minus a few days here and there due to weather)...

Originally posted by bikeCOLORADO
Winter Riding Tips (http://www.bikecolorado.com/bc/index.cfm/icwsurl/ID=FFD88F19-BD6E-4FA1-86EBB4DC1BF97331/)

Icebike Site (http://users.rcn.com/icebike/)

BTW - Thanks for the engaging and open discussion. It's nice to have found a forum where the participants are adult enough to openly discuss things and not get "bent" thinking they're under attack with the slightest hint of someone saying something different from their own experience or views...



Hey its all good. I don't take offence. The only time I might is when this statement is said.

"Experienced riders ride with Clipless and the amateurs ride flats no knowing difference"

I hear that quite often and get quite pissed. I choose to not use clipless and hate the assumtion that I suck. While I am not superman on a bike the stunts and terrain I ride on don't really allow me to use clipless. Anyways...:)




Colorado Springs, CO - We ride virtually 12 months a year (minus a few days here and there due to weather)...

Bastard ;)

yeah thats right you guys get a lot of rain over there but not too much snow except higher in the rockies. We get a lot of snow around here. Up in wentworth were the good downhills are there is probably about 4 to5 feet now.

I think it a personal choice between clipless or platforms, for aggressive riding, I prefer my platforms, but for the majority of trails, where there are long stretches, I like to have the clipless.

If you're looking for a great pair of pedals, check out Atom Lab's Trailpimps.

L8R

I ride flats mostly because I still fall off my bike a lot. I've been thinking of trying clipless but don't want to spend the $$ right now. Any recommendations on a less expensive clipless pedal/shoe combo? I've seen Crankhead eggbeaters for $50 but I'm thinking it may be better to start out on a bit wider clipless pedal.