Clipless or Nah?

Paul H said:
If you get something like the 5-10's... they are noth8ng like the carbon roadie shoes. They are very comfortable to walk on.
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I can 100% confirm this statement.

This is me and my 15 year old taking our new 5-10s for a test spin the day before the event.

Mine on the left are 100% flat sole and stick to the pedals like glue and very comfortable while
Still being stiff enough to ride with or walk around in
 

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Norm said:
Sorry you had a rough day at the Jam. That terrain is not for everyone.

I will stick to my original post regarding this specific question. But I will implore you to not factor walking into this equation. Walking the bike should never be why you choose either of these options.
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Oddly enough, I run mtn bike pedals (CB Candy) on my road bikes mainly for the easier walking, since my regular "long loop" has me crossing at least one bridge across the Delaware river, although I have been considering the Wahoo power meter pedals, which will require me finding a new set of roadie shoes that don't hurt (the other reason I switched to mtn bike pedals - the shoes I have for XC are pretty comfortable.
 
Bikeworks said:
This is great perspective, thank you for that. The thing I was going for with wanting to try clipless was what @jdog and a few others alluded to, the feeling of being more composed and connected to the bike. That said, what you've mentioned (and illustrated with that wrecked pedal) is that I am not at a level where I can really afford myself the luxury of clipless. I was at MTBNJam and did not have a fun time; it was well-above my tech comfort level, and I found myself walking quite more than I hoped. The comfort of walking in flats compared to somewhat stiffer SPD shoes was something I had not considered.
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Not me. Stiff cycling shoes locked to the pedal is about as restrictive as it gets! Plus I constantly shift my feet around on the pedals, based on the terrain and anticipated effort. These are not deliberate actions, more of an automatic reflex from decades of riding flats in hairy situations - they just happen as I ride. OK, spinning, spinning, spinning - I get it - but I spin flats just fine and my feet don't fall off either.

Me = overall comfort factor of having infinite foot position flexibility = zero complaints.
 
Ian F said:
Oddly enough, I run mtn bike pedals (CB Candy) on my road bikes mainly for the easier walking, since my regular "long loop" has me crossing at least one bridge across the Delaware river, although I have been considering the Wahoo power meter pedals, which will require me finding a new set of roadie shoes that don't hurt (the other reason I switched to mtn bike pedals - the shoes I have for XC are pretty comfortable.
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I'm running a single sided spd pedal on the road bike. PD-A600
New Version PD-ES600

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Easier to walk around Wawa in mtb shoes.
I do have road shoes with spd cleats, but that has to be a special day...
 
I wear a more flexible/less efficient spd shoe. They have grippy rubber on the bottom and are very comfortable walking around in. I switched from clipless to flats when I first got into technical riding and rode them for two years. I ended up switching back to clipless and can't imagine ever going back to flats. I think everyone should try both and see which they like more.
 
Mtbdog said:
But what's the helmet protecting?
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You may argue that in some cases the helmet is more of a containment device than a protective one, as in trying to keep whatever little is left inside (if any) from escaping...

Back to the original subject, I ride both and currently my clipless setup consists of Speedplay Frogs and 5.10 Kestrels that I purchased for $39 at Burlington, I have no problem walking on any terrain including the kitchen floor (clickety-click).
 
Patrick said:
I'm running a single sided spd pedal on the road bike. PD-A600
New Version PD-ES600

View attachment 189664

Easier to walk around Wawa in mtb shoes.
I do have road shoes with spd cleats, but that has to be a special day...
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I have nothing against SPD pedals, but at this point unless someone is going to give me a whole slew of SPD pedals to convert the entire quiver, I'm kinda stuck with Crank Brothers. I've been running them since the Egg Beater was new (and the only pedal they sold). I still have my original ones along with my original Mallet DH pedals I bought the first year they were available (2002?). I have so. many. pedals...

One reason I've procrastinated on getting power meter pedals is a quiet hope Crank Bros will introduce their own version, although since power data is more of a roadie thing and CB has basically abandoned the road market, I'm not holding my breath.
 
Been using SPDs for about 30 years and recently started to play around with flats to "relearn" how to ride a bike. On trails I can get in and out of clips no issue. It's all muscle memory.

While I love being clipped in and I've found the need to develop a lot new pathways to keep my feet planted on the pedals. Just a new skill to learn that does translate back to when I am clipped in.
 
Flats for life - have witnessed too many experienced riders have silly falls clipped in 2. Central NJ does not exist. 3. Tatum - not my cup of tea
 
Never tried clipless, while riding today my right foot hit a rock that knocked my foot off the pedal, made me wonder
if I had been clipped in would it have knocked me down instead of me getting a quick recovery and back on the pedal?
 
Kaleidopete said:
Never tried clipless, while riding today my right foot hit a rock that knocked my foot off the pedal, made me wonder
if I had been clipped in would it have knocked me down instead of me getting a quick recovery and back on the pedal?
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50/50 on that. I've had rocks knock my clipped in foot off, knock me to the ground or scare the shit out of me.
 
Ian F said:
Oddly enough, I run mtn bike pedals (CB Candy) on my road bikes mainly for the easier walking, since my regular "long loop" has me crossing at least one bridge across the Delaware river, although I have been considering the Wahoo power meter pedals, which will require me finding a new set of roadie shoes that don't hurt (the other reason I switched to mtn bike pedals - the shoes I have for XC are pretty comfortable.
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i mean you could also go with the garmin spd pedals just for the one bike, then replace pedals on the others through attrition.
 
I'm in the flats for life camp. I feel like my riding got a lot better after switching.

I do ride clipless on the cross bike but I can't remember the last time I actually rode it. 🤷‍♀️
 
I threw on my SPDs today for the first time in almost 9 months. They felt so much better than the flats on my local rocky trails. I'm going back to clipless but will still use flats on park days and flow trails. As other have suggested, give them both a try. Each has their benefits so why not master both?
 
serviceguy said:
You may argue that in some cases the helmet is more of a containment device than a protective one, as in trying to keep whatever little is left inside (if any) from escaping...

Back to the original subject, I ride both and currently my clipless setup consists of Speedplay Frogs and 5.10 Kestrels that I purchased for $39 at Burlington, I have no problem walking on any terrain including the kitchen floor (clickety-click).
Click to expand...
Picture above are my Burlington 5.10 shoe deals as well !
 
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