Clips Vs Flat Pedals | More Power Or More Range?

The choice between Clipless pedals and flat bike pedals has been an ongoing debate in the EMTB community for some time now, but maybe there's a new way of thinking about this debate!? There's no denying pedal choice is extremely personal, but if you're after battery saving gains and maximising wattage then maybe there might be a better choice of pedal for you!? Join Chris Smith for an afternoon of pedal testing to find out! 🎬

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Do you run Clips or Flat pedals on your EMTB? Share your thoughts with the EMBN community down below!

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[Thebowber]

You should have had someone who was used to riding clipped in to do this test, for instance, I find technical trails easier with clips as I can use both legs to keep me moving, with flats I'd just not have quite enough leg power to get the bike moving again when the wheels jamed on an obstacle. In short you have to be confident in clips to use them properly.

[Chris-bgmk]

Charge the battery between tests to start at the same state. The discharge curve is not completely flat.

[robpearce]

Can you put the GPX file up please. I'd like to ride your course. Thanks

[jamesw]

If clipped pedals weren't any good world-class downhillers wouldn't use them. They give you the stability to ride over ruffstuff and give you excellent control. You got the wrong guy testing them.

[chillout]

No clips for me. I need my feet free at all times.

[jokermtb]

Ditched the clip-in pedals in the late 90's and never looked back. Foot freedom is way more valuable than being locked in place - you can body english the bike so much better, and as I'm a bit duck footed, it's way more ergonomic for me than my clip ins ever were. Clip in pedals may be 'faster', but they're definitely not more fun.

[Ruffest]

Only thing your missing out on with flats are broken legs and ankles 😂

[acelectricalsecurity]

Doesn't matter what the data says, it's what your most comfortable with, and flats for me

[brendonnoble]

You forgot the other con about flat pedals. The dents they can make in your shins...🤕

[nomad-pqywiyv]

So many factors the rider the style and size of your flats and clips for some a tech climb is easier in clips. I suck at riding clipless but clipping back into a set of shimano style clips that are setup right on the flat and you didn't step in something almost always go right in after you've been riding them a while. There are all kinds of direction one could go with this for instants clips with a small platform or no platform less pedal strike or Crankbrothers clipless pedals that don't have the mud and snow issue so much. That' was just a few things on the clipless side of the equation. In some cases the answer is as clear as well.... mud!

[SimonBauer]

flats for me any days. i need to be able to jump of the bike without needing to make another motion beforehand. also sticking one foot out is way easier

[MHH]

Anyone that doesn't know they can benefit from angling on a flat pedal is getting NOTHING out of clipless. It is true that clipless will help a good spinner more on a torque sensing e-bike than on a traditional bike. If you always remember to ankle. The slower cadence pedal mashers will get more out of their motors, but use a great deal more battery than a spinner.

[ninetendopesaitama]

Mountain bikes and clipless are a big no no for me. Never liked them even on road bikes.