Trailside Chats: Rob Drew weighs in on Flats VS Clips

The debate rages on...Flats VS Clips!! Which camp are you in?? Either way, I felt it was time to let @Rob Drew weigh in with his opinion. I'm sure it's bound to cause some controversy, but he makes a great point: Being clipped in means you don't have to worry about foot placement.

Now, as far as honing skill before you switch to clips, I believe there is some merit to that. However, the riding styles are very different and that needs to be kept in mind.

Here's my take: I prefer to ride clipped in. I've been doing it since I was 12 and I'm very comfortable with it. There are things I do on the bike clipped in that I just can't do on flats. At the end of the day, IT'S YOUR CHOICE! Do what makes you happy riding your bike.

Now, let the comments fly!! #howto #richdrew #mountainbike #bentonville

[JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

I’m scared of Rob and will only use clips out of FEAR.

[doooderino]

As an old moto rider and doing the BMX thing when younger riding clipped seemed unnecessary. I was basically duped by the industry and other riders that I wasn’t a REAL mountain bike rider until I clipped in. So I did clip in. I bought the shoes and the pedals. The problem was, I wasn’t ready. I couldn’t track stand, my turns were loose and my braking was sloppy. I ended up turtling a few times too many. That was probably within the first year or two of my riding. 5 years later, a few wins in DH and Enduro under my belt (old man class) on flats and I still think flats work good enough for 75% of the riders out there. Maybe more. I have never grated my shins from slipping a pedal. I have 100% confidence doing sketchy stuff up and down.

Now with that said, the last 5 or so rides have been on my hardtail clipped in. Hiline, with all the alt lines, no prob. Up and down Teacup and GrandCentral. So far so good. But I know how to corner now. I know how to brake and I know when I’m coming into an obstacle off balance. And because I know this I have been able to release just fine.

But there is a catch. This time I’m not on CrankBros. This time I’m on Shimano, full loose with the SH56 cleats. There is a LOT of float and it feels very loose and disconnected unless pulling straight up.

But on the bright side I do understand where Rob is going with this. It is like cheating. It makes techy ups WAY easier and chunky downs easier and with less energy to smooth it out.

So please don’t shame clips or flats. Some people are not ready for clips. And some people can’t ride flats (it’s actually comical to watch). Just ride and smile.

[bike_somm]

I like what you said choose which direction you want to go and stick with it.. I switched to flats after riding clips for 5 years & I did so because I wanted to be more free on the bike when learning to jump.. plain & simple.. I will say tho after riding flats for a few years, I do NOT always think about where my feet are on the pedals & that's the beauty of flats. Not going to argue with you guys on it at all.. different strokes for different folks but it's quite nice when shit gets dicey & you need to throw a foot down in a corner or even a slow speed tech situation to not have to Fish to then be clipped back in.. I can put the biggest part of my meaty shoe on any position I want in a split second and not feel like my shoe is sliding around on metal in search of being clipped back in and secure again within a few milliseconds. That's all, thanks guys! All this aside.. what do you guys think about the new Magped Flat/Magnet pedals?? Haha

[letsgoletsgoletsgoletsgoletsgo]

Good point the last time I was practicing manualing , I looped out but sideways and I couldn't get my feet out on flats

[adamoverweel]

Just a thought that I have that I haven't seen addressed very often...I switch periodically between flats and clips, and especially like riding clipped on longer rides/technical climbing/sprinting out of the saddle. But every time I go back to flats, I feel more connected to the bike and like I get more feedback from the bike through my feet. It's hard to explain but I feel like being forced to weight the pedals makes me feel more of what the bike is doing? Maybe this is to do with the stiffer pedaling platform in clipped shoes removing some of the feedback? I can't profess to have tried that many different combos of shoes/clipped pedals, so if anyone has had a similar experience I'm keen to hear your thoughts. My clipped setup if FiveTen Kestrels and HT T1 enduro pedals (and previously Shimano), and flats are FiveTen Freerider Pros with CB Stamp pedals with the pins wound all the way out. Interested to hear peoples experience of clipped shoe/pedal combos that give good trail feedback.

[tjdreyer]

What kind of clips and shoe combo do you guys prefer?

[jonathansebring]

I’ve ridden clips since I was twelve, haven’t clipped in on a mountain bike in the last 6 years and there is no way I’d go back, way more fun, I’ll try dumber stuff, and let’s see you throw a good Superman clipped in. Not to mention when you get proper off piste they hike way better!

[oldmtbrider]

I don’t think it matters unless you are racing on the other hand what matters is which one allows you to have the most fun and enjoy your ride

[gopro_vlogs]

I've been mountain biking for about 4 years and I've always had flats, I love them, but I recently started to ride with clips and I thought I would hate them. I've been riding clips for 3 weeks and I like clips more than I thought. I think you should try both. if you ride flats try clips and if you ride clips try flats. if you don't like the opposite go back, I think it is just up to personal preference like a lot of things, sram vs Shimano, fox vs rock shock. neither is worse than the other its just what you like better.

[chancebex]

The cold and hard facts straight from the mouth of "Commander and Chief" Rob Drew, Nuff said !!!

[michaelmann]

What pedal shoe combo do you guys prefer.

[Projectnortheast]

Yeeaaah, gonna need you guys to self quarantine now after sharing that PBJ haha

[Spinningtunesncranks]

Y’all are f’n great😂 On a serious note, I appreciate y’all’s honest opinions with everything y’all put out. I like knowing a sponsor backing isn’t watering it down. Keep it up🤙🏻 I’m gonna make a pb&j now……

[rafemaxwell]

If I wore clips I couldn't do can-cans. I can't do can-cans now but I DEFINITELY couldn't then....

[Projectnortheast]

Please start a YouTube channel for Rob called "MTB Truth Bombs With Rob" .... viral 😅

[aidan]

I dont understand the audio, it sounds like they are in an empty room with the echo but they are outside, its confusing. What mic are you guys using and any idea on how it sounds like that?

[rynobuilt]

im scared shit less of clipped pedals, so ill stay on the couch and eat cookies..love the passion rob.

[matt.hartwig]

Subscribing my neighbor. Took the Lexus GX off roading yesterday. Excited to get out there more mountain biking

[downundermtb]

Okay question if I want to learn a new skill I should do it on clips as I ride in clip all the time and leave the flats in the draw?

[TerryGrayTX]

So we'll put Rob down as a "maybe"? I like old dudes w opinions! Yes, you are talking to me when you say "fear of crashing"! Most of my riding would classify as "dicking around", so flats are more convenient. At 50 yo, i also feel i need that extra 1/4 second to save my ass sometimes! I must say, some of the flats are so grippy these days, I've gotten out of position mid-obstacle, then kinda gotten stuck in that bad position when my shoes grabbed. Each time, i said to myself "Damn, i wish I'd take the time to get comfortable with clipping in!"