I agree with everyone who says it's all personal preference and it will take some experimenting to figure out what you like best.  I started with flats, went to a pair of Shimano M530 SPD which were pretty good but ultimately settled on Eggbeaters.  I prefer my feet staying settled and the eggbeaters tend to have more float which are easier on my surgically repaired foot.  I've never had an issue coming out of them.  I've actually considered trying flats again but the cheapo in me doesn't want to spend the money on shoes to use with them.

Saying somebody rides fast because their pedals, is sort of like saying somebody drives fast on I-77 because of their car..

Maybe they're drunk, got a death wish or something..

I've ridden all three extensively (clips, flat, and clipless). 
They all do the job. One maybe better than the other depending upon your bike, riding style and where you ride.
Flats are generally the least expensive option. But if you ride spikes, be prepared to tear your shin up occasionally.

I would buy a cheaper pair of shoes over an expensive shoe. I have a pair of Sidi clip in shoes I ride XC with and a cheap pair of Lake shoes I ride DH with and I like each one equally. Just a thought.

NC Kingsting wrote on 10/27/17 at 10:25pm:



I have been riding flats for more years than I can count... I have NEVER smacked my shins once... not once.  I HAVE NO SHIN SCARS.  Now.. the back of my lower leg... mid-calf down to my ankle... is scared all to hell. I feel like that could be prevented w/ higher socks.   
Ride WTF ever feels comfortable... I have done both clipless an flats...  seriously the only reason I switched was because I HATED the clipless shoes.

Pros and Cons for each.  I ride clip less but I only ride one MTB.  The other bike is a road/CX bike with the same pedals.  We sell both at the shop.

Now on to more important topics like E-bikes and leaf blowing which will both be happening at Fisher this weekend.

The Cycle Path wrote on 10/30/17 at 9:14pm:

JUST LEAF IT BEE

Dirkdee wrote on 10/31/17 at 2:22pm:


CLT WDZ XC ONLY

Maybe I missed it, but for me, it's all about the cleat, not the pedal.   Shimano makes the best multi-release cleat. See link (The SPD SH56 I think? ) (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)


Ultimately, I prefer to ride clipped in.  Its a no brainer when riding at all our local tracks where you know where everything is.  I know when to get on the gas in advance of the obstacle so i don't lose momentum.   That's when most newb clipped crashes happen.  You lose all momentum and even though you try, you can't unclip and over/down you go. 

But with the easy out cleats, and my pedal spring tension set on easy, I am relatively comfortable riding  anywhere clipped in because I know i can jerk my foot up at anytime and the shoe will release from the pedal. Some people would hate that, but i love it.  I still feel connected to the bike and i can crank/pull up with my foot when I need extra power and it stays clipped in. 

I believe that when riding clipped, when you approach a difficult area, or tough climb, or similar you have to either decide to hit and go all in for it and keep the rpm's up and don't stall, or unclip/prep to unclip and hike around the obstacle.   

BTW, if you are just riding mostly flat stuff, then going clipless is a no brianer.....do it. 

A few tips for beginning clipee's, wear a combination knee and shin guard. Find some bike shorts with hip pads.  Add in some slim elbow pads and/or arm sleeve if you can.   

My newb falling over clipped story.  I was flying downhill towards the creek where the steep ramoed bridge is at Ann Springs Greenway. This was like 8 years ago.  The bridge has a short but steep, like 4 feet ramp to get up on it.  I hit that ramp, however I was in a TALL gear and I lost all momentum.  I went down left.  Hard.  My head hit the rail, as me and my body went through/under it. my hip hit the edge of the ramp, i flipped upside down, and my bike got stuck on the rail and I was dangling under it.  All in all it wasn't that bad, but everytime i see that bridge (which now has a different railing system) i can assure you i am in the right gear and I have plenty of momentum....you live, you learn.   I also fell due to being clipped in the rock garden not far from said Bridge....  All of this happened using the standard cleats, not the multi-release clips.

So I say get the clipless pedals.  Something cool.  Also, the clilp-less shoes are way better than flats.  They look the part as well.   

Thank you all for the feedback. I will certainly try the Shimano SPD and see if I will love them as much as many of you do!