Flat Pedals?

[FLV]

Do many people use flat pedals much?

Think they might be nice for hike-a-bike, could be nice for a bit of lightweight off road touring. Not sure how they would fare for longer distance stuff. I would likely be popping them on the SS as a first off.

Anyway, to the point, Can anyone recommend a half decent set for not too much cash to start out with?

[composite]

The superstars ones are meant to be alright.

[barney]

I used to ride spd's but I'm now a total convert to flats with a comfy pair of waterproof "walking shoes" (£20 for a great Karrimor pair from Sports Direct)

[Bearbonesnorm]

As Neil says, the SS ones are fine but maybe a touch thin ... the 'fashion' for really thin pedals has gone a bit too far. Most thicker pedals have a concave platform so your foot drops into the pedal, meaning your foot's pretty secure. The thinner models are becoming so thin that the thickest point of the pedal is actually the spindle, so the platform becomes convex ... not good for foot / pedal interface If you just want a dabble, a pair of DMR V8 or V12 will work fine (or Wellgo copies) ... although out of 'fashion' they're really not a bad pedal.

Also, remember to move your foot position when descending / riding something technical. When clipped in it's likely the ball of your foot will be over the spindle, on flats (in the above situations) move your foot further forward by 1" - 1.5". It'll stop your ankle from being 'weak' and prevent your foot 'sliding' off the back of the pedal, causing much swearing.

After the HT, I did wonder whether people might start looking towards flats in an attempt to help with the hike-a-bike sections?

[composite]

As Neil says, the SS ones are fine but maybe a touch thin ... the 'fashion' for really thin pedals has gone a bit too far. Most thicker pedals have a concave platform so your foot drops into the pedal, meaning your foot's pretty secure. The thinner models are becoming so thin that the thickest point of the pedal is actually the spindle, so the platform becomes convex ... not good for foot / pedal interface If you just want a dabble, a pair of DMR V8 or V12 will work fine (or Wellgo copies) ... although out of 'fashion' they're really not a bad pedal.

Also, remember to move your foot position when descending / riding something technical. When clipped in it's likely the ball of your foot will be over the spindle, on flats (in the above situations) move your foot further forward by 1" - 1.5". It'll stop your ankle from being 'weak' and prevent your foot 'sliding' off the back of the pedal, causing much swearing.

After the HT, I did wonder whether people might start looking towards flats in an attempt to help with the hike-a-bike sections?

I almost offered up a pair of DMR v12's for cheap but thought it's probably worth having a pair of flats just in case I need them. Not used them in years though...

[Ben98]

I use nukeproof electrons, they're ace, really light really cheap and really grippy
The composite stuff they're made from seems very strong aswell

[FLV]

Interesting stuff thanks.

I was initially thinking about flats for mini tours etc as wearing a comfy pair of normal shoes can be quite nice. That got me thinking that it might be nice to try them out again generally, get used to them. It all led me back to thinking about rides such the HT.

I'll get a set I think (might even have some somwhere if I look hard enough). I'll just stick some walking shoes on and see how I get on.

[benp1]

I like my flat pedals cos I can confidence-dab and fall off without too much problem!

I was surprised by how many SPD wearers there were on the WRT, I expected to see more flats. I wore Teva Links then, as they're what I usually ride in

If it was wet then the Links would be too slippy, they're very grippy for biking for not so on anything muddy (bogs were very wet so had wet feet for most of the 2 days). Would probably just wear some trail or approach shoes (just picked up some 5:10 Domes which I quite like) if its wet

[vorlich]

I have the Electrons on my Mukluk - plastic is great for cold temps, but the pins went rusty with in minutes and as noted above, I can feel the axle thru my sole. Fine for a few hours though.

I also have use the SS nanos, mine were from Carbon Cycles.cc and they lasted well, used an abused - a better pedal than the Electron IMO.

I've now moved to Saints - heavy, look nice, grippy enough, should last given they're Shimano.

Still prefer SPDs for long distance/Bikepacking. I use the Shimano ones with plastic platform. Bit heavy, but good otherwise.

[greenmug]

There is a lot of established wisdom that says flats improve trail skills.

One warning for using them for any kind of hike-a-bike situation is that a lot of flats have some mechanism for keeping soles pinned in one place. Often small grub screws or similar. These create lots of sharp points which don't play nicely with human skin when bikes are carried. So apart from shoe choices, I can't see much advantage to having them outside of certain technical biking situations (downhilling, AM...).

Worth pointing out that some shoes don't work well with some flats. I have flats on one bike and I have to pick shoes with fairly soft soles such that there is some grip on the pedal. Otherwise there isn't the secure engagement.

If you like SPD but would like a better shoe experience you might as well off looking more into different SPD shoe options (winter boots, overshoes....). However, everything is worth a try.

[Bearbonesnorm]

To pick up on Greenmugs points about shoes, if you do decide to go down the flat pedal path look for shoes with a 'flat' sole and not much in the way of lugs. The idea is that pins can bite into the sole, if the sole has a raised grip (think walking boot) most of the pins fall between the lugs rather than making contact with the sole. Thinking about hike-a-bike, etc it is possible to buy 'walking' shoes that don't have a very pronounced grip pattern so are good for walking and riding ... my last pair were Innov8.

It's true to say that you can spend all the money in the world on flat pedals and specific shoes and it won't make one bit of difference to whether your feet feel secure and planted (or whether you lose skin) if your feet aren't positioned correctly

[Mike]

Iv been using spd for yrs. My last trip up snowdon/cadair I put my v12 on as I knew id be pushing. I like them alot and like stu says once the correct foot position is found the downhill was so good. I think i may stick with them for abit now.

[Zippy]

I like my flat pedals cos I can confidence-dab and fall off without too much problem!

I was surprised by how many SPD wearers there were on the WRT, I expected to see more flats.t

I used to confidence dab, then when I changed to spd's all those years ago ('08 I think....) I found I couldn't and fell over. I then had to learn to ride properly Cue 3 months of falling over before I got the hang of them properly

Hike a bike to the extent I wish I had different footwear is new territory for me, I can notice the difference between my racey shoes with a stiff sole and my more general commuting shoes - the stiff shoe ones are a right PITA to do any walking in, but the general ones are ok, and what I'd choose, I just can't see the compromise being worth it (for me at least, I really struggle with flats these days!).

Also, crashing - I think crashing in clips is better from experience, the clips either keep you feet in place so your feet don't tangle, or the spring action required to unclip pings your feet out the correct way to avoid tangling with the bike. On flats I was forever bashing my legs on spikes or mangling with the bike. Maybe I was doing it wrong...

Each to their own, but I thought I'd mention these points.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I think crashing in clips is better from experience, the clips either keep you feet in place so your feet don't tangle, or the spring action required to unclip pings your feet out the correct way to avoid tangling with the bike.

Tell him that

[Zippy]

I've er normally unclipped by that point

[TheBrownDog]

After about 20 years on SPD's Ive gone back to flats to see what all the fuss is about and to finally learn how to bunny hop properly. Can't say Im enjoying it - keep losing bark off my shins from the buggers. I also find technical stuff harder, not being able to pull a pedal up and around - you have to lift the thing around with the top of you foot. Back to SPDs for me I think.

[RobMac]

After about 20 years on SPD's Ive gone back to flats to see what all the fuss is about and to finally learn how to bunny hop properly. Can't say Im enjoying it - keep losing bark off my shins from the buggers. I also find technical stuff harder, not being able to pull a pedal up and around - you have to lift the thing around with the top of you foot. Back to SPDs for me I think.

Same here, cant get back into flats

[Solo]

I use nukeproof electrons, they're ace, really light really cheap and really grippy
The composite stuff they're made from seems very strong aswell

Yep, I'm another fan of these.