Flat pedals for XC..... What's all that about then?

stumpyjon

Put my new DMR V8s on today and went for my first ride on flats for about 10 years. Didn't actually buy them for XC riding (going to put the SPDs back on usually), bought them for use at the local trail centre (Lee Quarry in Bacup) as I struggled with my SPDs on the black run. I had no problem unclipping, just couldn't clip back in again fast enough to keep going and thought flats might solve that problem.

Anyway can't say I understand you guys and gals out there who use them for XC, every time I pulled off I lifted my foot get the pedals in the right position and nothing (unsurprisingly) happened, feet felt like they were in the wrong place on some of the ride, came off the pedals all together on one small jump.

I know the V8s aren't the best flat out there (I found them a bit small to be honest which surprised me coming from SPDs with no platform at all) and I should get some better shoes (was using some old Timberland trainer / deck shoe abomination) but I have to say it wasn't a comfortable or inspiring experience.

supersonic

They take a different style of riding, as does switching from flats to SPDs. Lifting the back wheel can be harder as you have to point your toes down and claw back, but it does teach you not just to jump and better weight distribution. Good pedaling technique can be learned too. Same for on jumps, is about weighting.

I think a better shoe and practice will do it!

supersonic

stumpyjon wrote:

every time I pulled off

I usually wait 'til I get home for that ;-)

stumpyjon

fnarr

As for the shoes, the thought had crossed my mind, have to convince the missus I need some new shoes now :roll:

BoardinBob

Yeah, you really need totally flat soled shoed. I wear DC skate trainers with V8s and they're fine. Anything other than a completely flat sole and there's no grip.

djvagabon

Each to their own. I know some guys who wont use s.p.ds. I prefer them but its about personal choice i guess.

mattyboy199

i have original style DMR V12 pedals & ride in nike air max classics havent slipped once, the grip is excellant.

gettricky

Having grippy shoes will make a massive difference otherwise your feet will jsut fly off the pedals.

You can get any shoes fitted with the rock climbing stuff like the 5-10's and they'll stick like glue, so if you don't want to fork out £70 odd on a new pair, just get a pair of old shoes resoled. A mate of mine had a pair of Puma trainers done in them for summer.

There is a place in Chesterfield which will do it for about £35 to save you buying a totally new pair of shoes.

http://www.feetfirst.resoles.co.uk/cycl ... repair.php

GT Destroyer

More practice Jon I think. I just got new Wellgo mags for mine (in black) I ride with some DC skate shoes, totally flat and they grip the pedals good. Do you have the little grubber screw things in the pedals? If it doesn't improve you might want to screw them out a bit?

You'll manage though, theres thousands that do, like Sonic said, it must be totally different to riding with spds, and just take a different set of skills to master flats.

Mrs Toast

stumpyjon wrote:

fnarr

As for the shoes, the thought had crossed my mind, have to convince the missus I need some new shoes now :roll:

Don't worry about that, women understand about shoes. Just don't mention they're for biking!

Thewaylander

bout to say technique is everything riding flats and takes a goodly time to learn, keep practicing.

But rememeber don't assume you can master something in days takes practice to lift the back and progress on flats

Surf-Matt

I use SPD shoes with no cleats on my flats (MG1s) and love them.
Stiffness of an SPD sole for pedalling efficiency combined with the handiness of flats.

KonaMike

Its all about the right shoes ! I borrowed a mates trainers once at Cwmcarn as I had left my usual shoes in work........I nearly killed myself,I was slipping and sliding off the pedals everywhere,Rob said I looked like a daddy longlegs on a bike !

stumpyjon

The shoes I had on were fairly grippy with a waffle pattern on the sole which was one reason I wore them.

I think a lot of it is down to practice (SPDs are great for keeping your feet in exactly the right place). I think better shoes is also a definite (Mrs Toast, unfortunately the missus sometimes reads the forum over my shoulder so she may pick up on your comment).

I really only want to use flats on uber techincal trail centre stuff, there's no way I'm parting with my SPDs for normal XC or even most trails centres (did Afan and Cwm Carn in SPDs with no probs, just the black run at Lee Quarry that has defeated me up to now).

Thanks for all the advice, I'm off for a practice.

topsey_turvey

I've got a pair of hybrid pedals; spd one side and flat on the other. Used them on our Tod ride the other week. Normally ride spd all the time, but I put these on when it's icy and I might need to get my feet down quickly. They ride OK, but as you say the foot position is PIA. I always feel that I'm riding with my instep on the pedal, and with toes splayed out. Most uncomfortable feeling. When ever I see guys riding flats they all seem to be doing the same. Seems to me that a lot of power is being wasted through poor pedalling style. I'm happy to leave flats to the BMX/Downhill/trick riders, but then I don't ride trail centres if I can avoid it.

SwanseaDan

I use Powerplay Detonators.

http://www.sbrsports.com/154-472747?sid=4838097fa44e848e

Flat one side clip the other, bloody brilliant! Clipped in for the most, lovely grippy flat side for the sketchy parts.

stumpyjon

I used to have a set of those cleat / flat pedals but found I only ever used the cleat side. The fact they weren't balanced meant you always had to flip them to engage the cleat. As I said earlier I've never had a problem unclipping (didn't even think about it when I came off the other weekend, just happened), it's the getting clipped in I have a problem with on the techincal stuff, suppose the double sided ones might be answer in those conditions (unfortunately I sold them on Ebay before Christmas).

drewcole81

DMR V12 Mags on my ride... I don't use shoes, I find the flesh on my feet sinks onto the grub screws nicely, no slipping there... do get a little faint though after a while!?

Thewaylander

one of the things to learn to help ride with out spds, is too go learn to bunny hop.. and possibly back hop. You don't have to be good, but it will teach you how to maintain grip.

The other point with shoes, for a grip a more flexible sole is better! but efficiency is brought from a stiffer sole its what you choose to be there balance. I use a set of waffle sole vans, these are a flexible shoe providing grip

milfredo

I used SPD's for 10 or more years but then a couple of years ago moved onto flats as I was doing more jumps and down hill stuff. Since then I've moved back into more trail related riding and still use the flats with some 5-10's and they are bloody brilliant. I still love SPD's but flats teach you to ride and control the bike properly.