Flats.... and Strikes

Sinkrate

Kick this off again.

Changed to flats (nanotechs) from SPD's a few months back. Good change for me but........

Pedal Strikes, only really on flat trails with big berms. I've narrowed it down to not carrying enough speed on the flat, sneaking an extra pedal stroke in and maybe clipping an edge sometimes.

So whats the best way? Pedal like crazy and carry too much speed into the corner and brake it off a bit? Anyone else get this problem when changing to flats ?

cat_with_no_tail

Never had any more of an issue with strikes on flats than I did on SPDs, certainly not when cornering.

You don't need to carry too much speed into the corner, but you should avoid carrying too little in too.

Contrary to what your brain may tell you at the time, speed actually cures most problems.

Keep at it, session the same berms over and over, increasing speed a little each time. You'll soon find the sweet spot.

Just remember to keep the inside pedal at the top of the stroke, with all your weight on the outside pedal for more grip.

The Northern Monkey

should be no different to riding with spds..

Anonymous

Edit: Ignore what I wrote. Realised you're on about pedals striking the ground, rocks, not yourself which would be the usual issue with flats.

ilovedirt

Sounds like technique to me... you shouldn't be getting any pedal strikes on flat bermy trails!!
Remember when you're cornering to put your outside foot down, so you don't catch the inside one.

Mojo_666

Maybe it is because that the nanos do have a fairly large profile which when your foot moves around can extend beyond your foot, where as some spd's can be tiny so your foot is what needs to clear stuff, so maybe you just need to get used to the new clearance needed?

Northwind

You're putting your feet where feet should not be. But I don't think we can say why, from the info so far. Which side are you clipping?

Clank

Mojo_666 wrote:

Maybe it is because that the nanos do have a fairly large profile which when your foot moves around can extend beyond your foot, where as some spd's can be tiny so your foot is what needs to clear stuff, so maybe you just need to get used to the new clearance needed?

Mojo has hit the nail on the head, I reackon.

I was having the same problem when I made the change from Spds to flats (20 years on clipless). I was striking anywhere and everywhere - manualing over obstacles, in ruts, over rock gardens - places where I was able to put sneaky spins in. Couldn't do it on flats! I've managed to mostly eliminate the problem now, largely by thinking about pedel positioning approacing obstacles and carrying a gnats-chuff more speed to compensate - even so, my next set of flats will be a smaller platform than the jacks**t Fat Spanners I'm running at the moment.

delcol

on berms i keep my pedals level may be dip the outside foot slightley..

i cant ever remember striking a pedal cornering..

Sinkrate

Hi guys, thanks for the replies.

Sorry my post may have been misleading. Not pedal striking in the berm, that would def be a good off . Pedal position in the Berm, and out is hopefully about right. Also when cornering no problems at all, don't think I have ever struck any pedal in a turn..... Its only when I need to kick an extra pedal stroke in, and happens on random terrain.

Its more on the flats leading up, or anywhere really, maybe a slight uneven incline, where I have to stick in an extra pedal stoke for a bit of speed, and "clink" a slight kick sideways if there is any sort of camber or uneven ground, usually a very mini strike nothing to get you off balance but the never the less.....annoying. Never used to experience this with spd's.

Reading the replies clank and mojo_666 have this spot on I think. I was thinking it was maybe the larger profile of the pedal (it seems like a bit of an extension of the foot sometimes) and getting used to a new technique (ish) so to say with speed. I'm getting used to it slowly maybe it just takes time.

Cheers again, it seems like I have to keep my eye on the terrain more then !! The flats and 661 are a good move for me though tbh, even better after I've sorted this out

Northwind

What bike is it? Unless the bike's either leaned over or there's some properly sticky-up stuff you should have plenty of clearance (stood upright, most bikes have 13 inches of BB clearance or more, knock off 7 inches of crank and even a 6-inch bouncer is just reaching interference when totally bottomed out.)

Sinkrate

stumpjumper, I'm sure its just a case of me getting used to the pedal profile and clearance esp over things which I would have not thought twice about before.

MountainMonster

I thought this was going to be another post about students.....

As far as the real topic, I find it just takes getting used to, as you are so used to having a smaller platform from the SPD's.

VWsurfbum

Check your Sag, your rear shock could be running too soft giving you a lower COG and lower BB height?
I know from when i get strikes(not often) to check the rear shock pressure