Clipless or Nah?

Bikeworks

Bikeworks

Well-Known Member
I'm a newer rider, on flats. I am doing my best to expand my confidence and skill on the bike and making strides. The twist here is that I am primarily a roadie and have been clipped in forever. So I am wondering if it might make sense for me to switch to SPD on the MTB to eliminate a technique variable (foot placement, maintaining good contact, etc). For the record, I am riding DMR Vaults with PI flats (I like them). What do you guys think?
 
This will be interesting as everyone will have their opinion on this.

Me, been clipped in on the road 1st, then mtb since the late 80's, after many years of BMX with flats and Vans. No plans to go back to flats. The few times I've done a short ride in non-cycling shoes, and try to get fancy, I almost eat shit every time.

Kudos to anyone who can easily make the switch back and forth.
 
I grew up on flats - it’s what I know, love, and ride. Your background would suggest a significant advantage to clipping-in, tempered only by the trail conditions you plan to ride (how well can you bail off-road?).
 
If there's no financial issue with trying clips, I'd say give it a try. There are definitely benefits to spending time on flat pedals, but when you're first starting out I'd suggest doing whatever you feel the most comfortable with.
 
riding clipless boosted my confidence, i was no longer worried about getting shined or slipping off the pedals. they forced my to ride stuff without dabbing and made me an all around better rider. since you have experience on the road with them you already have plenty of practice getting in and out which is the hardest part for most beginners.
 
goldsbar said:
It allows you to pull out with an upwards motion.
Click to expand...
1657286543796.png
 
Here we go...lol

I started mtb clipless and hoped for the best. I went to flats in 2016 to better my skills. I haven't gone back...yet.

I say flats for learning and developing skills. Clips are great after. Just my 2 pennies.

Give it a try...why not?
 
Last edited:
MadisonDan said:
Clipless
Taylor Ham
Garmin
Central Jersey is a figment of your imagination
Lake MXZ303 (or 304)
e-bikes are ok
DH at Tatum
Hartshorne > Tinder


There... that should cover most of it...
Click to expand...

Flats (on mtb only)
Pork roll
Wahoo
Central jersey is the only place ro live
Get out of Dodge when it's so cold you need Lake boots
E-bikes are awesome - but I'm waiting until I'm a geezer
Never been to Tatum
Hartshorne is meh
 
On road bikes I never had issues clipped in. On the MTB my right knee felt like the knee cap was rubbing against my tibia after 10 miles. Flats never do that for me.
THEC SPK
Garmin
Northern NJ has the best rocks and roots
Flat pedals, 5-10's and wool socks for winter.
E-bikes are the most legal fun you can have in the woods. One day I will be on one.
 
I have both, and use both. The full-suspension has flats (and it's totally fine...), and the singlespeed hardtail has clipless pedals (and is totally fine). Play bikes get flats just because.

I specifically went with clipless on the singlespeed because, sometimes, you just need a bit more grunt to clear something.

Like @Robin I went clipless on the MTB almost immediately, but switched later to flats. Flats made me a better rider as far as hops/jumps. Clipless has taught me what lean angle tires can actually hold up.
 
Karate Monkey said:
I have both, and use both. The full-suspension has flats (and it's totally fine...), and the singlespeed hardtail has clipless pedals (and is totally fine). Play bikes get flats just because.

I specifically went with clipless on the singlespeed because, sometimes, you just need a bit more grunt to clear something.

Like @Robin I went clipless on the MTB almost immediately, but switched later to flats. Flats made me a better rider as far as hops/jumps. Clipless has taught me what lean angle tires can actually hold up.
Click to expand...
ebarker9 said:
If there's no financial issue with trying clips, I'd say give it a try. There are definitely benefits to spending time on flat pedals, but when you're first starting out I'd suggest doing whatever you feel the most comfortable with.
Click to expand...
Robin said:
Here we go...lol

I started mtb clipless and hoped for the best. I went to flats in 2016 to better my skills. I haven't gone back...yet.

I say flats for learning and developing skills. Clips are great after. Just my 2 pennies.

Give it a try...why not?
Click to expand...
Thanks for all the responses, and glad I didn't stir a hornets nest with this age-old question (yet!). I figured that I'm already clipped in would elicit a little bit of a different offering of opinions. I already have SPD pedals from my old gravel bike, so I may give it a try on a tame trail to get a sense. I'm going to want to get some flat style shoes with SPD though, so there will be an expense. I have XC style shoes now that I know I won't be comfortable in on the trail (at least not yet since I'm coming from flat style shoes).

I can get out of my road clips very quickly. Hate to say it, but I've never hit the ground trying to get out, even when I was first learning (now I will, lol). Only concern I really have about clips on the trail is my ability to predict when I need to get out, if that makes sense. I feel my instinctual reaction to get out (think dab on a turn) will be on par with on the road, but anticipating when I may need to do so will not be there.

@Karate Monkey I think the opposite may be true for me. I feel flats have really taught me just how much to trust the tires in leaning them into the trail, and I've struggled to hop and jump on flats using the techniques I've studied (mainly Joy of Bike/Lee McCormack and Jeff Kendall Weed).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom