Pedals - To Clip or not to Clip
When it comes to pedal choice on your mountain bike it is pretty fair to say there are factions of the mountain biking fraternity that sit quite firmly on one or other side of that particular fence. So what are they so polarised about?
Clipless pedals are pedals with a mechanical retention system built into them that are used with specific shoes designed to take the other element to the pedal: the ‘cleat’. The cleat sits under the bottom of your shoe and engages with the clipless pedal to bind the rider to the bike. For anyone that has just gulped in horror at the prospect of being eternally bound to their bike, fear not, as the clipless system is designed to release with a simple twist of the foot. They follow a step-in, twist out format.
Flat pedals are pretty much as they sound with the pedal being a platform upon which the rider’s foot sits. Pins protruding from the surface of the pedal sink into the sole of the rider’s shoes providing a solid platform (forgive the obvious pun) holding the rider to the pedal whilst simultaneously being incredibly easy to dismount from.
So the question is – which are right for me? Before we can even come close to answering that we should first evaluate the pros of each system.
Flat Pedals
Confidence and learning – there can be no denying that mountain biking comes with its fair share of thrills and spills. Flat pedals offer the rider a very quick exit from the bike should the unthinkable happen. They’re perfect for those trying to find their feet (pardon this second pun!) off road when trying to concentrate on navigating trails.
Skill increase – when the trails get particularly gnarly, taking on the local jumps or even taking your bike to the streets to play in the urban environment, flat pedals allow an immediate exit from the bike giving you more confidence to hit things harder and faster, safe in the knowledge you can exit when required.
Ability to dab – when taking fast corners flat pedals allow you to tactically hang and plant your inside foot out (think moto-cross) to provide extra stability in the corner, helping prevent the bike from washing out.
Flexibility – given that flat pedals can be used with any shoes it immediately means your bike can be used for popping down the shops making it a more versatile machine.
Clipless pedals are pedals with a mechanical retention system built into them that are used with specific shoes designed to take the other element to the pedal: the ‘cleat’. The cleat sits under the bottom of your shoe and engages with the clipless pedal to bind the rider to the bike. For anyone that has just gulped in horror at the prospect of being eternally bound to their bike, fear not, as the clipless system is designed to release with a simple twist of the foot. They follow a step-in, twist out format.
Flat pedals are pretty much as they sound with the pedal being a platform upon which the rider’s foot sits. Pins protruding from the surface of the pedal sink into the sole of the rider’s shoes providing a solid platform (forgive the obvious pun) holding the rider to the pedal whilst simultaneously being incredibly easy to dismount from.
So the question is – which are right for me? Before we can even come close to answering that we should first evaluate the pros of each system.
Flat Pedals
Confidence and learning – there can be no denying that mountain biking comes with its fair share of thrills and spills. Flat pedals offer the rider a very quick exit from the bike should the unthinkable happen. They’re perfect for those trying to find their feet (pardon this second pun!) off road when trying to concentrate on navigating trails.
Skill increase – when the trails get particularly gnarly, taking on the local jumps or even taking your bike to the streets to play in the urban environment, flat pedals allow an immediate exit from the bike giving you more confidence to hit things harder and faster, safe in the knowledge you can exit when required.
Ability to dab – when taking fast corners flat pedals allow you to tactically hang and plant your inside foot out (think moto-cross) to provide extra stability in the corner, helping prevent the bike from washing out.
Flexibility – given that flat pedals can be used with any shoes it immediately means your bike can be used for popping down the shops making it a more versatile machine.
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Clipless pedals
Efficiency – there is a reason that nearly all road riders use clipless pedals and that is because it allows you to ride faster and more efficiently. Being clipped in allows you to pull up on the pedal which not only means you can use your powerful hamstrings to aid pedalling but it also counteracts the lazy-leg syndrome that flat pedals encourage which is to push with the leading leg and leave the trailing leg hanging on the pedal. What this means is not only that the hamstring is being under-utilised but you’re having to push up your trailing leg too!
Connection – being connected to your bike means that when the trails do get rough you don’t have to think about keeping your feet planted on the pedals or worry you’re going to be bucked from your bike. The clipless pedals will keep you locked in leaving you to free to concentrate on picking your line.
Trail jumping – the connection provided between you and your bike allows you to easily lift the bike up and over trail obstacles that can’t be avoided allowing you to flow down a trail and past an obstacle that otherwise you may have had to get off and walk over.
Efficiency – there is a reason that nearly all road riders use clipless pedals and that is because it allows you to ride faster and more efficiently. Being clipped in allows you to pull up on the pedal which not only means you can use your powerful hamstrings to aid pedalling but it also counteracts the lazy-leg syndrome that flat pedals encourage which is to push with the leading leg and leave the trailing leg hanging on the pedal. What this means is not only that the hamstring is being under-utilised but you’re having to push up your trailing leg too!
Connection – being connected to your bike means that when the trails do get rough you don’t have to think about keeping your feet planted on the pedals or worry you’re going to be bucked from your bike. The clipless pedals will keep you locked in leaving you to free to concentrate on picking your line.
Trail jumping – the connection provided between you and your bike allows you to easily lift the bike up and over trail obstacles that can’t be avoided allowing you to flow down a trail and past an obstacle that otherwise you may have had to get off and walk over.
Pic: cleats that bolt into the bottom of shoes designed to take them. These then engage with the pedals
Conclusion
There are many more arguments for, and against, both pedal types. One argument in the pro-flat pedal camp is that riding flats promotes a purer form of riding and that it enhances a rider’s skills. Some even argue that if you haven’t ridden flats you’re not a true mountain biker and have never learned some of the basic skills required to become a great rider. This is not to be taken as fact, however.
Ultimately you’ll see both pedal types being used on the trails because both are perfectly valid.
Neither is right and, likewise, neither is wrong.
Weigh up the pros for each above and see which suits you best. It’s always best to start off on flat pedals and then think about trying clipless as the alternative to see if you get on with them (but do give them a chance as it takes a little practice to use them intuitively!). Some riders still use both depending on which bike they’re taking out with them or which group of friends they’ll be spending the day with.
Ignore the most polarised of opinions and just get out there and give them both a try. You’ll soon figure out which is right for you.
Conclusion
There are many more arguments for, and against, both pedal types. One argument in the pro-flat pedal camp is that riding flats promotes a purer form of riding and that it enhances a rider’s skills. Some even argue that if you haven’t ridden flats you’re not a true mountain biker and have never learned some of the basic skills required to become a great rider. This is not to be taken as fact, however.
Ultimately you’ll see both pedal types being used on the trails because both are perfectly valid.
Neither is right and, likewise, neither is wrong.
Weigh up the pros for each above and see which suits you best. It’s always best to start off on flat pedals and then think about trying clipless as the alternative to see if you get on with them (but do give them a chance as it takes a little practice to use them intuitively!). Some riders still use both depending on which bike they’re taking out with them or which group of friends they’ll be spending the day with.
Ignore the most polarised of opinions and just get out there and give them both a try. You’ll soon figure out which is right for you.
