Flat Shoes vs Flat shoes

ZootHornRollo

Hi, I do more road cycling than MTB and would like to address that this year.

I use clipless pedals on my road bike but don't have the confidence at the moment to go clipless on my MTB.

I have been using a cheap pair of aldi MTB shoes but the have self destructed after about 10 rides so I'm in the market for a new pair. I was looking at out and out flat Shoes but I've noticed there are flat style shoes which have the necessary for attaching cleets but look like they still have enough surface for the flat pedals.

Any drawbacks to these over pure flats?

... Just in case I decide to go clipless in the near future...

PS. I'm using Wellgo b143 pedals

Hinaultscrapcousin

Less surface contact with the pins so less grip. Whether that's an issue will depend on how much grip you like/need.

Just go clipless

ZootHornRollo

Thanks. My pedals pins are all around the outside edges so I think I may get away with it.

... And in all probability I'll end up clipless... Once I convince myself I don't need the emergency exit

Hinaultscrapcousin

Most pedals have pins over the whole body, I rode Saints for a couple of years and you could tell the difference when you didn't have the centre pins in. If you have time to bail you have time to unclip, if you don't you're going down whatever you are riding. SPDs/MTB pedals are easier to get out of than road pedals and more secure on the pedals if your technique isn't spot on. Flat pedals are also pretty unforgiving if your foot slips off, just take a look at any flat riders shins...

Personally I would commit to one or the other. You can always sell the pedals and shoes on if you decide to go with the other option. Or run the SPDs on your road bike in the winter.

ZootHornRollo

https://goo.gl/images/niodmT

Pins only go around the edges on mine.

Fair point about using the shoes on road bike in winter

It's actually the slow switch back climbs that I'm most worries about. Stall... Splat

JBA

Just use multi-release SPD cleats. Much easier to unclip in an emergency than the 'normal' cleats.

Angus Young

JBA wrote:

Just use multi-release SPD cleats. Much easier to unclip in an emergency than the 'normal' cleats.

Or just use flats, be done with it, stop worrying and save yourself any agro. A decent set of pedals, a pair of 5.10s and you'll almost feel like you're clipped in anyway. And any advantage there might be to clipping in is neither here nor there unless you're trying to win races.

mrbubbaman

Angus Young wrote:

JBA wrote:

Just use multi-release SPD cleats. Much easier to unclip in an emergency than the 'normal' cleats.

Or just use flats, be done with it, stop worrying and save yourself any agro. A decent set of pedals, a pair of 5.10s and you'll almost feel like you're clipped in anyway. And any advantage there might be to clipping in is neither here nor there unless you're trying to win races.

I find my feet bounce off the pedals if I'm not clipped in

cooldad

That's technique. Needs work.

Angus Young

mrbubbaman wrote:

Angus Young wrote:

JBA wrote:

Just use multi-release SPD cleats. Much easier to unclip in an emergency than the 'normal' cleats.

Or just use flats, be done with it, stop worrying and save yourself any agro. A decent set of pedals, a pair of 5.10s and you'll almost feel like you're clipped in anyway. And any advantage there might be to clipping in is neither here nor there unless you're trying to win races.

I find my feet bounce off the pedals if I'm not clipped in

With a good shoe and pedal combination that's a very rare thing and, yes, as cooldad says above.

Ross Gardner

Is it more cost effective to get some 5:10s, get some nanos, then get some shin guards, than going spd and going top of the range?

Hinaultscrapcousin

Ross Gardner wrote:

Is it more cost effective to get some 5:10s, get some nanos, then get some shin guards, than going spd and going top of the range?

Well yes, top of the range Sidi Dracos are £330.

Ross Gardner

Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:

Well yes, top of the range Sidi Dracos are £330.

Case in point: go flats.

JBA

Ross Gardner wrote:

Is it more cost effective to get some 5:10s, get some nanos, then get some shin guards, than going spd and going top of the range?

That's a pointless question. Of course it will be more cost effective, but why does it have to be top of the range?

A set of M520 pedals for £20 and a pair of MT34 shoes for £30 and you're sorted. You won't get 5.10's, Nanos and a pair of shin guards for that.

Angus Young

JBA wrote:

You won't get 5.10's, Nanos and a pair of shin guards for that.

You don't need the shin guards because...




...chicks dig scars.

Ross Gardner

JBA wrote:

That's a pointless question. Of course it will be more cost effective, but why does it have to be top of the range?

5:10s, Nanos and the best shin guards (still unsure which) are pretty much top of the range for flats.

Hinaultscrapcousin

Ross Gardner wrote:

JBA wrote:

That's a pointless question. Of course it will be more cost effective, but why does it have to be top of the range?

5:10s, Nanos and the best shin guards (still unsure which) are pretty much top of the range for flats.

So everyone should ride ony hard tails then?

Ross Gardner

Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:

So everyone should ride ony hard tails then?

How did you make that leap? Running flats includes all MTBs. Roadies are a different kettle of fish.

Hinaultscrapcousin

Ross Gardner wrote:

Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:

So everyone should ride ony hard tails then?

How did you make that leap? Running flats includes all MTBs. Roadies are a different kettle of fish.

Yeah, I remember watching all those people riding flats at the Olympics...

cooldad

Some of us don't ride at the olympics.

Hinaultscrapcousin

cooldad wrote:

Some of us don't ride at the olympics.

Yes, I'm making the point why assuming flats are better because they can be cheaper at the high end is a silly assumption.

Angus Young

cooldad wrote:

Some of us don't ride at the olympics.

You, too? And I thought it was only me.

Angus Young

Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:

cooldad wrote:

Some of us don't ride at the olympics.

Yes, I'm making the point why assuming flats are better because they can be cheaper at the high end is a silly assumption.

Who said flats were "better"?

Hinaultscrapcousin

Angus Young wrote:

Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:

cooldad wrote:

Some of us don't ride at the olympics.

Yes, I'm making the point why assuming flats are better because they can be cheaper at the high end is a silly assumption.

Who said flats were "better"?

TO stave off the pendantry, Ross did not say better, he said that the OP should go for flats because top of the range would be cheaper. He did, however imply flats cover all of MTB so I think it's a fair assumption to suggest he was meaning better.

My point, and others, is that it's a silly comparison. Both work fine in most cases but anyone buying Dracos is doing it for very specific reasons (or has money to burn). Flats cannot compete where Dracos are intended to be used. Similarly, Dracos don't turn up on the DH WC scene for very good reasons.

Ross Gardner

Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:

TO stave off the pendantry, Ross did not say better

Nope.

Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:

he said that the OP should go for flats because top of the range would be cheaper.

Yep.

Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:

He did, however imply flats cover all of MTB

so I think it's a fair assumption to suggest he was meaning better.

I wasn't thinking about the Olympics, sorry. Are there any flat pedals used in any Olympic MTB biking events? Maybe they stick to the possible, not implied myth that SPDs are better. Mind you, if we go that far, then we can assume the best have tried the best that flats have to currently offer.

Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:

My point, and others, is that it's a silly comparison. Both work fine in most cases but anyone buying Dracos is doing it for very specific reasons (or has money to burn).

Who would buy Dracos anyway? Someone who can't get sponsored for the pro circuit? Why include the madman getout clause (the Donald Trump of shoe buying)?

ZootHornRollo

...So...
...As a rank amateur with no Olympic dreams who trying to do a few more red miles at trail centres and a bit more XC riding on his hard tail...
Where do we stand?
I'm erring towards the flats but it does worry me I'll jump on the road bike and forget I'm clipped in :shock:

P.s. I have shin guards already bought 661 comps cos they seemed "best value"... Feel like a twat in them tho... seem a bit overkill

spaniardclimber

@OP I've been riding clipless for almost 20 years, and have recently switched to flats, why? Because I'm now focused on improving my technique, surely I could use clipless pedals too, but clipless allow you to 'cheat' whereas flats don't. I'm more confident with flats too eg: when learning to manual I'm sure I'd fallen backwards if I had been in clipless while with flats I could get my feet off in time.
Personally I feel more conected to the bike on flats.

If you get some Five Ten and any decent pedal you're ready to go.
I guess there's no 'better' but 'different', and it's great to have options for one to choose.

Hinaultscrapcousin

ZootHornRollo wrote:

...So...
...As a rank amateur with no Olympic dreams who trying to do a few more red miles at trail centres and a bit more XC riding on his hard tail...
Where do we stand?
I'm erring towards the flats but it does worry me I'll jump on the road bike and forget I'm clipped in :shock:

P.s. I have shin guards already bought 661 comps cos they seemed "best value"... Feel like a fool in them tho... seem a bit overkill

Go with whatever you feel most comfortable on. In reality, when you are riding you won't notice much difference while riding, it's only likely to matter when it comes to putting a foot down. Do bear in mind that you can basically wrench SPD cleats out of the pedal just by pulling them and you can get multi-release cleats which come out even easier. They're not like road cleats.

If you go clipless get the cheapest Shimano SPD pedals you can and something like the Giro Privateer shoes. If you go flats then 5:10s (I'd recommend impacts over freeriders) and something like Superstar nanos or Shimano Saints.

About switching between bikes, don't worry about it. I rode flats on my MTB, SPD on my fixed and SPD-SL on my road bike for ages. You don't forget. I now ride SPD on my MTB/Monstercross bike and my fixed wheel and SPD-SL on my road bike.

ZootHornRollo

Decision made. Flats won!

I have a pair of 5.10 Impact VXi on the way.

Thanks very much for your input guys.

spaniardclimber

Did you consider the Contacts?? Too late now I guess..

Ross Gardner

ZootHornRollo wrote:

Decision made. Flats won!

I have a pair of 5.10 Impact VXi on the way.

Thanks very much for your input guys.

The VXis are little wide for normal feet, so they may not be for you.