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Post by motoxman on Jul 26, 2012 13:24:01 GMT
Has anybody changed from spd to flats?
What did you think?
Boss changed a few weeks back and every Monday morning he's now raving about how good flats are, says 18cycles in Hope only sell flats now.
Wondered if anyone else has done the same
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Post by akasmithy on Jul 26, 2012 14:23:02 GMT
Spd's for my hardtail. Flats for my FS
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Post by chris on Jul 26, 2012 16:29:47 GMT
flats for me, want to try spd but you know where you are with flats, also you can choose when to exit the bike in an off quicker i think. DMR V8  |
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Post by thistle on Jul 26, 2012 16:56:52 GMT
A lot of people reckon flats give you more confidence on tricky stuff because you don't have to worry about unclipping.
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Post by Trailrash on Jul 26, 2012 19:35:34 GMT
It's not just the un-clipping (although I have had some comedy offs when stationary as some of you know, sorry Meirion  ) but also the clipping-in I found on occasion a pain especially when you're on tricky balancy bits or on a narrow ledge or going down a fast rocky descent and you can't get your trailing foot/cleat locked in while you're negotiating a drop-off  I personally have persevered with the cleats for quite a while but have since gone back to flats as it just makes me more relaxed on the bike plus I seem to be able to put more power down when I'm climbing. |
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fugazi
Have-a-go Hero
Posts: 244
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Post by fugazi on Jul 26, 2012 20:45:58 GMT
Changed from spds to flats, then after a few good rides + foot slipping off the flats a couple of times back to spds + will be sticking with them, more comfortable, better for climbing + once you get more confident in riding the technical sections in them, you wont change back easy enough to clip out in tricky situations + back in if you have them set up right. |
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Post by Ross on Jul 26, 2012 20:54:23 GMT
Changed from spds to flats, then after a few good rides + foot slipping off the flats a couple of times back to spds + will be sticking with them, more comfortable, better for climbing + once you get more confident in riding the technical sections in them, you wont change back easy enough to clip out in tricky situations + back in if you have them set up right. +1 (although personal preference i wont be going back to flats anytime soon) |
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Post by Rupert on Jul 26, 2012 20:59:05 GMT
I've run SPD's for years and never really had a problem with them not releasing when you have a proper off. I think I'd actually feel less confident on flats in the technical stuff as they help you to move around on the bike without sliding off them. I think I'd also be nervous of the spiky bits on flats and what they might do to your shins. The only time I've wished I didn't have SPD's was in the snow, when they just turn to balls of ice that you can't clip in to.
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Post by seismic on Jul 26, 2012 21:47:13 GMT
I found the SPD's without a cage painful on the ankles on long rides. I know have SPD's with wings and like other products with wings much more comfortable and secure (or so the advertising goes). They are also easier to engage and you can pedal with them even when not fully clipped in. With flats on rocky terrain find that seem to get a lot more pedal strikes and loose control. But that may be that with SPD's you get lazy and dont notice it so much.
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Post by seismic on Jul 26, 2012 21:49:25 GMT
Also never taken big lump out of shin with SPD's. Pins on flats however have left nice big scar on shins. |
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Post by Trailrash on Jul 26, 2012 21:53:57 GMT
Agree with some of the advantages on SPD's but found that flats with 5tens are a good compromise.
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) but also the clipping-in I found on occasion a pain especially when you're on tricky balancy bits or on a narrow ledge or going down a fast rocky descent and you can't get your trailing foot/cleat locked in while you're negotiating a drop-off 
I personally have persevered with the cleats for quite a while but have since gone back to flats as it just makes me more relaxed on the bike plus I seem to be able to put more power down when I'm climbing.
