Now ^ that ^ is an unpopular opinion 
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That’s funny. I’d say the same about clipless.
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Anyone else have the sensation that they can’t control a car when they don’t have a seat belt on? Same sensation when riding a bike not clipped in, like some how I have no control over it. I know both are illogical but some how just don’t feel connected enough.
The funny part is I own a repair shop and pull cars in and out/drive around the lot all the time without being buckled in and have no problem doing that. But if I hop in my own car I can’t even back down my driveway unless I’m buckled in.
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Lol apparently 
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I dunno. Steep mountain grade, high speed, bumpy terrain, and no connection to the only weight bearing contact points seems like asking for trouble haha. I know there are a lot of mtb people that ride flats, but I’d never try it
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All a matter of the gear in use. 30 years ago you’d be right. Hikers, tennis or running shoes on crappy bear trap pedals were a treat (been there… done that).
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But the modern super-sticky rubber MTB specific shoes along with the scary bite available in current flat pedals are a different world than you’d realize if you haven’t tried them. Some combos require deliberate “lift and move” to reposition the foot on the pedal. Slipping and sliding can and does happen, but it’s rather extreme with current gear.
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Yea I certainly dont dont doubt new flats and mtb shoes are really good. They’re still not ATTACHED though. It just seems like making the best of the situation when not using the tech that fixes the problem completely.
I remember going from my bear trap type pedals to my GT flats. With the right shoes (airwalks/vans at the time) they would make a set of bear traps with other shoes feel like you were walking on wet glass.
My really bad scar from the GTs was from trying to do a one footer and not getting my foot back on the pedal right, brains being brains I could never do a 1 footer again… but could do no footers.
Still have the pedals and the scar.
Not the offending bike, this bike is responsible for my dislocated shoulder back in 05ish, so now it is just art.
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Being clipped in as you move downhill picking and choosing your line while threading huge rocks leaves you feeling far from secure. Just knowing you can put your foot down when needed is a big mental advantage that allows you to try things you’d be less likely to try if you were clipped in. I’ve done both and flats are absolutely enabling when you’re in the sketch. Clipless are great for lots of XC stuff, but flats are far better (for me) on rough stuff and downhill.
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Hmm. Yea I dunno…maybe my perspective is biased from years of unclipping when my bike starts to go down in muddy off cambers on the CX course. Unclipping just doesnt represent an obstacle to me anymore…
No need to be so specific.
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Muddy off cambers are VERY different than huge rocks, big drops, and high speeds. When you bite it on one it’s embarrassing. On the other, it’s broken limbs.
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I race CX. 15mph is fast.
The few times I go mountain biking, my brakes get a way better workout than my legs
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Same. Flats for downhill… clip in for XC / trail riding.
What flats you run?
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I have size 48/49 feet, so I run the extra wide Stamp’s with Freerider Pro shoes.
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But wasn’t the idea of ‘more float’ basically an answer to the idea that cleats are ‘too confining’?
I tried Specialized flats with those gnarly long set screws to grip shoes, and they also shredded my leg, TWICE! I went back to SPD pedals, and checked my tetanus status. OUCH! Using pedals with those screws sticking up is an invitation to be a blood donor, and starting some nasty infections as well as ruining socks, tights, etc. Plus those screws are meant to ‘lock’ your foot in position (like cleats?), either in a good or bad position. I’ll stick to SPDs. They have float…
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I think a lot of this just has to do with when you started mountain biking. If you started in the late 80’s early 90’s, the only option was toe clips and straps (which were absolutely freaking terrible off-road. And on-road. And in the garage) until SPDs came out in like '90 and depended on whether or not you were an early adopter. I rode Look pedals on my road bike and was quick to jump on.
So like probably a lot of the 50+ crowd here, I’ve been riding SPD’s off-road for about 30 years and in that time, the only bikes I’ve owned that weren’t clipless have been townie bikes, usually single/fixed gear or with Sturmey-Archer 3-speeds. I’m mildly interested in trying flat when I get a new mountain bike in the next year or so, but frankly the idea of not being solidly attached to the bike feels alien and a bit terrifying. Even though it’d likely make me a better rider.
The flip side of that being if you had a BMX background or started after good flat pedals were a thing, you’re totally comfortable with them.
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Riding road shoes with adapters for MTB cleats is dumb, if you’re that worried about it, get your sponsor to put the two bolt holes for SPD in the bottom of your road shoes.
On that note. I think laced cycling shoes are a crazy idea. But that might just be because I have skinny feet and always have long lace loops.
Is this the pedal thread? Asking for a friend!
Start another thread, enough now.
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Unpopular Forum Opinion: One Topic per Thread
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