The worst accident I ever had riding my Ebike was when the pins on my flat pedals grabbed onto an embedded rock and sent me flying over the handlebars, at 60 it took a month to recover from that. I still prefer the flats despite them nearly killing me.
Even in the worst sticky mud of cyclocross races where some actually had shoes sucked off in the mud, I've had no issues getting in/out of shimano spd when properly adjusted. ymmv but I've seen a lot more crashes and leg gouges from feet coming off the pedals than from being stuck in the clips. I have no problem popping a foot out on tight switchback downhills for counterweight and getting right back in.
I run Shimano Saint Clipless pedal with multi release cleats (SH 56) and very low tension on the spring. It stays almost like a flat when i want to unclip and when i am clip in it runs really well and holds the shoe pretty well heaven with very low tension on the spring😀😜
Owen you always do a great job using your mechanic background to explain mechanical aspects of a Mt Bike! I started with Shimano toe clips as did everyone else. But now I use Crank Bros Enduro 11 clipless pedals with the added Ti Axles
Thanks for showing where the term clipless came from. I mean I knew, but for the sake of those that were (still) confused…Those came with my new ‘92 or 3 Rockhopper. What a pain in the arse on the trail !? Not great commuting either, with all the stop and go… I took the toe clips and stripes and now my feet were all over the place. So I went “clipless” for almost 15 years. Now I’ve been on flats for the last 15. Thinking of trying clipless again. Those red Funn pedals look a lot like the Shimano DX I really liked…
I'm 67 so started with toe clips and straps. Moved to clipless as soon as they came out - we all fell off a few times because the muscle memory of pulling your foot back didn't work with clipless pedals! Soon got used to the heel kick though! So, have been in clipless for 30+ years now. Have flirted with flats but never got on with them - for one thing you can't easily pull up with the rising foot when pedaling but I also didn't like not knowing exactly where my foot was on the pedal. Have now moved from the small clipless to ones with a cage, which I like on my e-bike, I absolutely love the security being clipped in provides and it's never been an issue when having to get off the pedal quickly or even crashing - you just come unclipped automatically!
100% agree! I’ve been using magnetic pedals on my Trek Rail for 2 years and would never go back to either my flats or clipless. I can’t believe mags weren’t even mentioned…they are perfect for eMTBs!
Flat pedals on everything except road bike. Recently switched to Pedaling Innovations Catalyst and while still acclimating, I really like them so far. 57 like Steve, and I have less foot pain with them so far. Just have to get used to the slight loss of clearance.
Rode SPDs since they first came out (yup, I'm that old), went over to flats ten years ago. Rather have my foot dab before my head hits the trail....... just sayin.
Made the swap to clipless about a month ago after being a flat rider all my life. Forgot to unclip when i came to a stop the other day and bam, just had to accept my fate and fall down like a sack of spuds. Thankfully nobody saw 😂
I have decades of positive on road experience with clip ins. On the EMTB I have flats that I ground down the pins to about 1/16” inch. I got fed up with my legs looking like I stepped on a Bobcats tail. It seems like I came home from every ride bleeding from those damn pins.
Prefer flats. Also prefer using hiking shoes, 1 pair goretex, 1 pair mesh upper. Soles give enough grip on, (heel advantage),and importantly, off the bike in crappy conditions. Also wear trail running gaiters to keep crap out of shoes and they protect the ankle from other stuff
Anna rules clipless it is! You total left out egg beaters that give you loads of clearance and clipless pedals with small platforms. Oh and besides if you run egg beaters sometimes people think twice about steeling your bike.
