For almost two decades, clipless pedals have been my go-to for mountain biking, and they still are for most of my rides. However, a few years back, I reintroduced flat pedals into my riding routine across various terrains. Having relegated them to dirt jumping for about ten years, bringing flats back has been surprisingly enjoyable and beneficial for my overall riding skills. If you haven’t ridden flats in a while, I genuinely believe it’s time to give them another try.
Now, let’s be clear, this isn’t to disregard the merits of clipless pedals. There’s a valid reason they’ve become the standard in top-level racing. Clipless pedals offer undeniable advantages like enhanced pedaling efficiency, improved bike control, and a reduced chance of pedal slippage. Sure, we’ve seen exceptional riders like Sam Hill dominate Enduro World Series races using flat pedals, but let’s remember, he’s an outlier, a phenomenon. It’s akin to watching Hoji ski incredible lines on pin bindings – just because a pro can do it doesn’t necessarily make it the ideal setup for the average rider.
But here’s a crucial point: are you racing? The vast majority of us aren’t, most of the time we’re on our mountain bikes. It’s perfectly acceptable if you take an extra split second navigating a trail. Riding flat pedals is not only incredibly fun, but it’s also a fantastic tool for honing your skills, skills that translate back positively when you switch back to clipless pedals.
I recently convinced a couple of friends to revisit flat pedals. While neither has made a permanent switch (and neither have I, for that matter), they both appreciated the unique connection to the bike that flat pedals provide. They also felt it highlighted and helped correct some flaws in their technique, areas where they had become overly reliant on their clipless system. Particularly noticeable is the more direct pedal connection when cornering. All clipless systems inherently have some degree of play, or float, in their interface. This becomes strikingly obvious when you switch back to flats. This direct feel is not just cool; it compels you to refine your bike control through your feet. This footwork skill is invaluable for any mountain biker, regardless of pedal choice.
Furthermore, many riders might have last experienced flat pedals on bikes with geometries that are now seriously outdated. While flat pedal technology itself hasn’t seen radical changes, bike geometry has evolved significantly. The vastly improved stability of modern mountain bikes provides a completely different experience with flat pedals compared to what you might remember. Where clipless pedals were once almost essential for keeping your feet secure on a twitchy, older bike with a high bottom bracket, flat pedals are now an excellent tool for learning to effectively weight the front end of a long, low, modern bike using your feet. Learning to lift the bike without instinctively yanking up with a clipless pedal will undoubtedly refine your technique and smooth out your riding, whether you ultimately stick with flats or return to clipless.
Another compelling reason to consider flat pedals is for winter riding. They eliminate the hassle of dealing with clogged clipless mechanisms and contribute to warmer feet by removing the metal cleat plate in your shoe acting as a thermal bridge, drawing heat away. However, even if you store your bike away during the winter, the points mentioned above remain valid and provide more than enough justification to revisit flat pedals if it’s been a while.
So, equip yourself with some quality flat pedals and proper flat pedal shoes, get out on the trails, and experience the ride. And as always, share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.
