Clipless vs Flat Pedals for MTB - The One Thing No One Talks About

Shop Talk EP.3 - My take on the clipless vs flat pedal debate and breaking down the one aspect of this topic that I think is oftentimes overlooked.

Subscribe for new videos every Monday, and new shorts every Tuesday and Thursday! Appreciate the support!

Sponsors:
- Marzocchi (Suspension)
- Race Face (Cockpit & Wheels)
- Fox (Helmets, Clothing, Shoes)
- Shimano (Drivetrain & Brakes)

If you enjoyed this video and want more MTB content, you can find me on social here:

#mtb #mountainbike

[PeterJamison]

Any topic requests for future 'Shop Talk' episodes? Feel free to drop them below ⬇

[GustavoCebo]

I've been using clipless pedals for about 30 years now, so I'm definitely used to them. Recently, I've been hitting the Pump Track, which got me onto flats. While I dig them for pumping and jumping, on the trails, I still prefer clipless. My issue with flats is that every time you lift and set your foot back down, it ends up in a slightly different spot, which is even more of a hassle if you're wearing shoes like mine, the SPZ 2FO, which have a super strong grip.

With clips, your feet are always in exactly the same spot, or maybe with a little rotation at most. The fact that my foot shifts around with flats is just too distracting for me, and it messes with my flow on the trail.

[taylormurphy]

Love all of your vids dude!! Really helping me out as I get back into the bikesss. You helped me buy a bike that actually fits me, def way smaller than I woulda bought otherwise. Keep it up, your content is gold

[Jimmy.meyer.]

Dude, loved this, some good points covered, I like the down to earth approach of your videos, cheers !

[rogerdoak]

Great commentary and points mate. Some of that control piece at the bike park I've not really thought about just assuming I'll ride flats only there and clips when out for hours in the woods. Food for thought, thanks man.

[freezer]

Another point nobody really talks about is that riding flats aggressively takes more energy than clipless because you have to maintain tension/pressure between your hands and feet to keep your feet planted on the pedals in the gnar and in the air. It ends up being a lot more tiring to ride flats if you're going hard.

Agree about being able to do more with the bike on clipless with the caveat that you're talking about riding at a very high level. Conversely, you see a lot of beginner/intermediate riders on clipless that develop some crap habits and some god awful ugly technique relying on clipless to mask a lack of proper rear wheel lift and bunny hop skills.

[WubHDofficial]

So much energy spent to discuss this matter when GOOD dual pedals exist out there ( xpedo ambix ). Been rocking those quite flawlessly, the only real disadvantage is slightly harder to locate which side you need but you get used to the feel after some rides.

[AbrahamBarberi]

Great video and great riding! I also prefer clips when riding parks with chunky and gnar. I definitely use clips when doing XC. I only use flats when I practice jumps or new tricks.

[lafargaa]

I ride a hardtail, so when I'm going hard downhill on my rocky and dry local trails, the clipless system gets me "attached" to the bike with all the bumps and vibration. I also tried flats, but I just felt too slow in the flats and going uphill, this is my insight coming from a gravel/roadie previous riding. As you said, starting with flats is better as you build up confidence.

[hardmtnbiker]

Great topic. I started with clipless pedals and pretty much stayed with them. One of the main reasons is I just feel like I’m more connected and with my stiff shoes it’s obvious more efficient for long distance rides when my legs get whipped out. Ratcheting on techie climbing sections are probably helped by being clipped in but I can see the need/want for flats in case you have to bail.

[x]

Yo I love your vids but please stop premiering them for like 4 days in advance, just schedule it instead :)

[HD]

The efficiency between flats and clips is about the same except in sprinting situations. Clipless pedals are good for 1 keeping your feet on the pedals for control purposes and 2 for those XC people clipless keeps your feet in a biomechanically optimum position for hours at a time without thinking about it.

[lostman]

this is awesome peter. i tried clip-in (note i like new term for “clipless”) pedals recently and failed. i had a few high side falls and shattered my confidence. i feel like i should give it another try… maybe on easier stuff till i get comfortable…

[scene]

They way you put it, I'll have to try clip ins one day💯

[bgeorgeashton]

I love that you talk about your setup. Knowing some details about a pro's setup with the pro explaining the reasoning behind it is highly valuable to me!
I had no idea you ride clipless for all your trail vids!

[amir_mtb]

Thanks! Great POV. I've been riding for about ~14 years learned flats and stayed on flat pedals, ride everything from sweeping XC to double-black DH. Recently I got into road and gravel riding (as well as still MTB) which forced me to learned clipless - not without a fall or two on the sidewalk. Now I feel confident clipped in on road rides but still can't bring myself to try clipless for enduro or freeride, even though they also involve a lot of pedaling.

[RufusRosso]

Peter I love your videos. I really enjoy watching you ride. I live in western Colorado and ride similar desert terrain as south Utah. I would like to know what tiers do you run and why?

[rodjets]

SPD's for me! Not for efficiency, but because it locates my feet in the correct position on the pedal every time, without having to be concious of it. Unclipping in tight situations or coming to a stop is automatic, after 30yrs of doing it. Used PD-M520's on road and MTBs and now eMTBs. Very reliable pedals.

[filipsoltys]

love the point you brought up towards the end. people claim riding clipless is bad cause it can teach bad techniques. that's true to some extent, but clipless pedals actually offer more options to the rider, that is their advantage. why wouldn't a rider want more control, more options on how to move the bike?

[jojotherider]

My biggest gripe between flats and clipless is the support. With a flat pedal, it feels like the pedal is supporting a lot more of your foot. On a clipless pedal, I've always felt like I'm standing on a point. I feel like the Mallet DH pedals come close, but the pedal body is still fairly narrow and doesn't go across my whole foot.

That said, I want to give clipless a better shot. I rode a lot of bike park last year and found myself losing my pedals every now and then when riding through some rooty sections at speed. It probably happens only once each time I went up, but that has the potential to end my day or worse, my season.