Pedal Advice

[Ben98]

OK, so, I've given up trying to get to grips with my spd's, so I would like some large flats onto which I can put a toe clip
Requirements are, cheap, no heavier than 400g and good when used without clips
What do you think about these? http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/m13b254s8 ... S_GB/13007

Thanks in advance
Ben

[Bearbonesnorm]

What do you think about these?

They'll work fine with straps but without your feet won't stay put.

Why do you want to use straps? Why not just some decent flats? ... if you tell me that your foot comes off the pedal, I'll tell you how to stop it

[didnothingfatal]

Something like V8s with these straps is a nice setup

http://restrap.co.uk/shop/straps

[restlessshawn]

Straps belong in the 80's

Either ride properly with flats* or get used to spds

*I can't so use spds all the time :)

[Ray Young]

Something like V8s with these straps is a nice setup

http://restrap.co.uk/shop/straps

I tried "powergrips" for a while which are similar to the above. OK but not without their problems, not always easy to get into, pedals with pins are impossible to get into because you can't slide/twist your foot in, boots or shoes with with any sort of decent tread again won't slide/twist in either. Do what Stu say's, get some decent flatties.
What problems are you having with your spd's?

[Cheeky Monkey]

Straps belong in the 80's

Either ride properly with flats* or get used to spds

*I can't so use spds all the time :)

Pretty much agree. What's up with your SPDs?

And if you can't get them to work, just go for proper flats and "learn how to ride properly"

[Zippy]

What do you think about these?

They'll work fine with straps but without your feet won't stay put.

Why do you want to use straps? Why not just some decent flats? ... if you tell me that your foot comes off the pedal, I'll tell you how to stop it

That's interesting - what's the trick to this? I never really considered it.

I rode for years as a kid with flats, but then I discovered clipless pedals when I started uni, and have never looked back. Actually I really struggle to ride with flats these days, don't find them particularly sure footed

[Ben98]

The issue I'm having with spuds is that
A. The position they put my feet in feels uncomfortable
B. Every time I try to use them I forget to unclip one foot as I come to a stop, causing me to fall off my bike
C. I fidget in my pedals, so being unable to move my foot is really disconcerting
D. The angle my foot has to go to to release my foot is too obtuse so it hurts my knees

I will probably go with some type of strapless toe clip as I had on my previous bike, am I right in thinking some of the welgo flats have eyes to take the clips??

Thanks again,
Ben

[Mike]

Im interested in how u ride properly on flats guys?? been usings spds for yrs, may try flats as an option as easier to hike/climb in when bike is loaded up!!

[Ray Young]

Doesn't take long to learn to use flats and I couldn't tell you how, it just seems to happen without thinking about it.

[Cheeky Monkey]

The issue I'm having with spuds is that
A. The position they put my feet in feels uncomfortable
B. Every time I try to use them I forget to unclip one foot as I come to a stop, causing me to fall off my bike
C. I fidget in my pedals, so being unable to move my foot is really disconcerting
D. The angle my foot has to go to to release my foot is too obtuse so it hurts my knees

I will probably go with some type of strapless toe clip as I had on my previous bike, am I right in thinking some of the welgo flats have eyes to take the clips??

Thanks again,
Ben

I'll hazard a guess that you're using Shimano pedals. Get some Time's and that may help. TBH the issues also sound like the typical learning curve too.

A sounds like you've not got the angle of the cleats right to suit your natural gait.

B is just typical until you get used to them.

C can be solved by Time's because they have more float and lateral play.

D can be influenced in many ways. Spring tension can be adjusted on Shimano pedals, slacker should let you out easier. Different cleat types and indeed different orientations can change release angle. Even just getting new cleats and pedals worn in can make a difference.

Nothing wrong with either type of pedal, rock what works for you BUT better to understand what's really going on.

Decent shoes make a lot of difference on flats IMo as well, all adds cost.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Im interested in how u ride properly on flats guys??

That's interesting - what's the trick to this? I never really considered it.

Foot position plays a massive part. Here's a basic explanation.

• If you're riding clipped in then your position is pretty much set. Generally the ball of your foot will be over the axle of the pedal. When clipped in, this position causes no issues because you're attched to the pedal.

• If riding flats the majority of folk will place their foot in the same position as above ^. This position may (or may not) be the ideal position for climbing and general riding. This position feels natural / normal but it often leads to 'losing a foot' when riding flats.

• The problem stems from your ankle. Try standing next to your bike and place a foot on the pedal in the above position. Now drop your heel and push down / back, you should notice how easy it is for your foot to slide backwards off the pedal. Now, do the same again but this time move your foot further forwards on the pedal by about an inch. You should now find it much more difficult to slide your foot backwards off the pedal and your ankle / foot should feel much more stable.

• So if you're descending or riding something 'technical' move your feet forward and the skin on your shins will remain intact . The above isn't the only reason for skinning yourself but it's a major one and often overlooked.

[Zippy]

Im interested in how u ride properly on flats guys??

That's interesting - what's the trick to this? I never really considered it.

Foot position plays a massive part. Here's a basic explanation.

• If you're riding clipped in then your position is pretty much set. Generally the ball of your foot will be over the axle of the pedal. When clipped in, this position causes no issues because you're attched to the pedal.

• If riding flats the majority of folk will place their foot in the same position as above ^. This position may (or may not) be the ideal position for climbing and general riding. This position feels natural / normal but it often leads to 'losing a foot' when riding flats.

• The problem stems from your ankle. Try standing next to your bike and place a foot on the pedal in the above position. Now drop your heel and push down / back, you should notice how easy it is for your foot to slide backwards off the pedal. Now, do the same again but this time move your foot further forwards on the pedal by about an inch. You should now find it much more difficult to slide your foot backwards off the pedal and your ankle / foot should feel much more stable.

• So if you're descending or riding something 'technical' move your feet forward and the skin on your shins will remain intact . The above isn't the only reason for skinning yourself but it's a major one and often overlooked.

Cheers, interesting.

I think I'm sticking to clips - it took 3 months of falling off to learn them properly initially, but I'm quite happy to trackstand clipped in now. When I was riding flats, I used to dab if it started going pear shaped, obviously I couldn't do this clipped in initially, so it taught me to ride properly.

Another couple of things I've noticed beyond all the standard augments is that

1. When crashing, the clips either hold my feet in place so they don't get mangled with the bike, or the spring physicaly ca-pings your feet away from the bike so they don't get mangled.

2. The action of twisting your foot is also very good for heel-to-toe gear changes in the car

P.s. Ben, when I got clips, I was in the uni cycling club, and between them they had every model and type available, and I tried them all out - I found time pedals to be my favourite.

[Gari]

Wow, uni-cycling in SPDs, that's pretty hardcore. :D

[Zippy]

Wow, uni-cycling in SPDs, that's pretty hardcore. :D

Took me a couple of seconds to work out what you were on about there. I have only ever managed 3 pedal strokes on a unicycle...I have since sold me unicycle due to not using it anymore really

[MM-on-POINT]

Exactly as s8tannorm said with the foot pedal postion, I would like to go over to spds but my foot swivels left to right on every stroke so I cant.
what I do do for a bit of pedal efficenincy on flats is dip my heel on evey storke especaily when fatiguing it seems to get a bit more out of me, also I wear 5.10s camp fours (approach shoes) and they tend to stick really well to my DMR v12s.
This might be worth trying for any one who wants flats flat for hike a bike.

[Firmo]

I am doing the Coast to Coast (Wainwright's / Wheelright's) in a couple of weeks and am debating whether to opt for SPDs (or Crank Bros) or flats.

I threw some SPDs on the MTB during the weekend and headed out in to the wilderness. I must have fallen off about 8 times on the more technical stuff. Quite demoralising!

When the track turns very narrow - how do you cycle without falling off? When the ground is slippy, and there is a high risk of toppling over, is it just not worth using SPDs?

It's worth noting that my main sport is road cycling, so I'm comfortable with being clipped in but when I use SPDs on the MTB I really struggle. I have used Crank Bros on the MTB a lot more in the past as I like the extra float, and find them much easier to clip out of in a hurry - but again, on trails I still have this fear!

If you were me, what pedal type would you choose for the Coast to Coast?

[Chew]

Just go with whatever works for you.

spd's are fine if you're confident about being able to unclip. (assuming shimano) just unwind the springs as much as possible (both sides) and then wind them back in until you feel comfortable.

Worth noting for Wainwrights that there are a reasonable amount of bike a hike sections. Up blacksail pass is a carry and the top part of the decent is quite technical

[Zippy]

I had a huge learning curve when I first tried clips - I was a MTBer only back then.

It's definately more involved than riding clipped in on the road - when on the road rides, some roadie's used to unclip about 50 metres before the junction, whereas I used to go right up to the junction, and either trackstand if the road allowed, or then unclip, or carry on.

So essentially what I'm saying is stick it out and learn It really is a confidence thing, and TBH I'm more confident clipped in, unclipped feels way too sketchy for me

[BRP]

Why not try some single sided spd's?
The XT model my folks have in their shop looks nice quality.
I'm an ATAC man myself having used them for nearly twenty years now, but at least with single sided spd's you can unclip and ride the regular flat side on the technical sections, then over time as your confidence increases, you might want to switch back to double sided spd's?

[Dan_K]

I've always used SPDs (Shimano) and have found that by not having them too tight, my foot always comes out if I have a moment.
Each to their own though.....

[Firmo]

Worth noting for Wainwrights that there are a reasonable amount of bike a hike sections. Up blacksail pass is a carry and the top part of the decent is quite technical

Yeh, I've done the Coast to Coast before - and to be honest, the thing that puts me off most about wearing SPDs is the tricky Black Sail climb.

Thanks for the advice. I'll continue to put in the miles each morning on some tricky terrain for the next week, and I'm sure I'll get the hang of it!