Clipless vs Flat Pedals
#1
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Clipless vs Flat Pedals
Clipless and flat pedals both have their pros and cons. However, I enjoy using clipless for sprinting. Clipless pedals also help to reduce the strains on my knees and quads when I do a quick acceleration from a slow speed.
#3
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From: Jacksonville, FL
Bikes: Trek Checkmate, Lynskey Elysium, Trek FX 5 Sport
#5
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From: Chicago North Shore
Bikes: frankenbike based on MKM frame
How much have you ridden with both types of pedals? Or maybe umpteen types: pinned flats, flats and toe clips and straps a la Berthet, 'touring'/rattrap, SPDs, SPD-SL, Look, Keos, Speedplay .... The ones you haven't given a chance may be the ones you'll like best.
#6
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From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
#7
And the OP isn't even asking a question. Almost feels like Troll bait. I'll take the under on the 10 pages, but only because pedal choice is so much less controversial than brake types.
#9
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FWIW, I sort of agree: sprinting (especially from a stop) is really the only situation on a road bike that I find clipless make much of a difference for me.
#10
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He’s a newbie, clearly. How savvy about BF etiquette were you guys when you first started here. I keep telling you guys, if you have nothing positive to add, go find a thread you like better. I’m tired of preaching that message, some will hear further.
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#11
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Definitely a noob here trying to get his post count to 10 so he can show off his bike that everyone will not care about. Also a noob to clipless in general.
I will say I now can't stand flat pedals as I find my feet fidgeting all the time now. BUT ... I'm still too much of a noob on clipless that I tend to want to slowly roll at stops so I don't have to unclip. Still scared out of my wits whenever I get to an intersection with tons of traffic and little room to face plant should I unclip off balance.
Ok 8 more posts to go lol.
I will say I now can't stand flat pedals as I find my feet fidgeting all the time now. BUT ... I'm still too much of a noob on clipless that I tend to want to slowly roll at stops so I don't have to unclip. Still scared out of my wits whenever I get to an intersection with tons of traffic and little room to face plant should I unclip off balance.
Ok 8 more posts to go lol.
#12
Definitely a noob here trying to get his post count to 10 so he can show off his bike that everyone will not care about. Also a noob to clipless in general.
I will say I now can't stand flat pedals as I find my feet fidgeting all the time now. BUT ... I'm still too much of a noob on clipless that I tend to want to slowly roll at stops so I don't have to unclip. Still scared out of my wits whenever I get to an intersection with tons of traffic and little room to face plant should I unclip off balance.
Ok 8 more posts to go lol.
I will say I now can't stand flat pedals as I find my feet fidgeting all the time now. BUT ... I'm still too much of a noob on clipless that I tend to want to slowly roll at stops so I don't have to unclip. Still scared out of my wits whenever I get to an intersection with tons of traffic and little room to face plant should I unclip off balance.
Ok 8 more posts to go lol.
#13
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Joined: Jan 2017
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Uh ... not sure where you get that I'm judging others. Let's see: I admitted I want post count, I admitted I suck at clipless pedals, I admitted I'm a scaredy cat. By "judging others" do you mean judging myself? Uh ... sorry to myself? I accept the apology from myself ... I guess.
Anyway, not here to start an internet fight lol. So read what I wrote how you want I guess?
Anyway, not here to start an internet fight lol. So read what I wrote how you want I guess?
#15
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I am simply asking not arguing.
#16
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Well at the time I started riding clipless 10+ years ago Crankbrothers were known for clearing mud extremely well but being fragile. Shimano were know for being indestructible but clogged with mud easily. Time were both indestructible and cleared mud nearly as well as Crankbrothers so that is what I went with. Now all my bikes are Time, I'm use to Time, and I have no reason to switch to something else. The only real downside is nearly everybody I ride with is on Shimano, kind of the default, so we can't swap bikes mid ride just for fun.
#17
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From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
#18
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From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
my 2 other bikes have flat pedals, a hybrid & a mountain bike
#19
Uh ... not sure where you get that I'm judging others. Let's see: I admitted I want post count, I admitted I suck at clipless pedals, I admitted I'm a scaredy cat. By "judging others" do you mean judging myself? Uh ... sorry to myself? I accept the apology from myself ... I guess.
Anyway, not here to start an internet fight lol. So read what I wrote how you want I guess?
Anyway, not here to start an internet fight lol. So read what I wrote how you want I guess?
I find clipless much better for road biking, just takes a little time to become second nature. But I still prefer flat pedals for technical mountain biking - mostly for practical reasons e.g. no worries about clipping in muddy conditions and flats are better when off-bike.
#20
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Joined: Jun 2018
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From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Uh ... not sure where you get that I'm judging others. Let's see: I admitted I want post count, I admitted I suck at clipless pedals, I admitted I'm a scaredy cat. By "judging others" do you mean judging myself? Uh ... sorry to myself? I accept the apology from myself ... I guess.
Anyway, not here to start an internet fight lol. So read what I wrote how you want I guess?
Anyway, not here to start an internet fight lol. So read what I wrote how you want I guess?
You said "his" and "he" in your first sentence. Do we need to explain the difference between first person and third person?
If you weren't intending to judge OP, don't blame the mod for your poor writing.
#21
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From: TN
Yep, that's the source of confusion, though I wouldn't say he was necessarily wrong. The edit button is a useful feature if you find what you posted isn't being understood as you intended. Now back to the evergreen clipless vs flat....
#22
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From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
It's actually interesting to hear from people who use both. The "debate" is boring, but I think op was really asking for a compare and contrast. Surely, a bunch of experienced cyclists should have some interesting insights other than "we already discussed this."
#23
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From: Mich
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
anyone with regular shoes can ride a bicycle with flat pedals. only those with the correct fitting clipless shoe will efficiently ride the clipless pedal bicycle.
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#24
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From: Redmond, WA & Bangkok, Thailand
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I like riding with clipless pedals. First started using them on my mtn bike. It was pretty good and I liked being attached to the bike. When I started road biking I just used mtn bike pedals and mtn bike shoes. I rode that way for a good 15+ years. Mtn bike shoes are definitely much more comfortable off the bike then road shoes. Later, when I got a new road bike I went and got road pedals and shoes. Took a little bit of time to get used to them but I like them ok.
#25
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From: North Central Wisconsin
I think a majority of newbies are AIChatBots these days.




