Cycling can be a political act. We’re not talking defiance or protest or oppression, just the simple reality that riding a bike on the road means sharing space with other individuals doing things other than cycling. John considers the implications. Patrick checks in with regard to his effort to learn to mountain bike with flat pedals.
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You asked people to tell you their stories about flat pedals on mountain bikes. This is my story. Over the past 30 years I’ve had 3 mountain bikes. The first two were old school bikes with 26″ wheels and cantilever brakes. I put clipless pedals on both of these because that just seemed like the right thing to do. I had clipless pedals on all my other bikes so I saw no reason to go with flats. I gave away the last of these first two bikes about 8 years ago and didn’t have a mountain bike at all for 6 years.
2 years ago after hearing Robot and Padraig talk about mountain bikes so much I decided it was time to get back in the game. I basically followed Robot’s advice each step along the way. I bought a hard-tail 29er and put Chester flats on it. I knew it would feel strange to not be clipped in, but I like the argument for being able to get off the bike quickly and easily. The last thing I want is another injury. Two years later I’m still “getting comfortable” with flat pedals. My biggest challenge is maintaining a consistent position on the pedal with my foot. My foot tends to slide forward/backward or in/out at inopportune times making it hard to put power in the pedals just when I need it. It takes a “flat” or “easy” section of trail for me to be able to find the right foot/pedal position again. I get through most things this way but every time this happens to me it bugs me. I make no attempts to “catch air” of any kind so I don’t have the discomfort of that experience. Overall, I like flats and don’t want to go to clipless on the mountain bike. But, I still struggle with the foot position thing. Not sure if that will ever go away. I think I’m OK with that.
You may already know I am an opinionated basterd, but I have experience and science to back up my assertions. First, Patrick…sweet Jeeebus! The absolute WORST pedals to “learn” flat pedal techniques are the combo flat/clipless ones. Please give them away yesterday. I can tell you exactly what to get, but I’ll go further than that and say if you find yourself in the ATL metro I will take you out for a ride and get you confident before the end. If you want specifics on pedals/shoes/techniques drop me a line. I’ve taught my sons and they got it in a single ride. Ditto for the kids on the NICA team I’ve coached for the last eight years.
As for my flat pedal journey, I began mountain biking in the late 80s and ran bear trap pedals with toeclips like everyone did at the time. In ’94 I switched to clipless and used those nonstop other than some time on flats in the early 00s during my freeride fascinations. In ’20 I went to ride with friends at Snowshoe and that was when I finally switched to flats for good. I whole heartedly agree with Robot that shoe/pedal choice are critical and it took me a few tries before I figured out what worked and what I liked. Robot, who I am sure is as cynical and jaded as everyone in the cycling world even commented on how good the pedals on the bike I let him borrow were.
FWIW, I am faster now and ride with more confidence than I ever have. Riding flats provides a whole new world of fun challenges and will elevate your bike handling skills exponentially. I will also give credit again as I have in several of my pieces to Rich Drew and The Ride Series. I’ve ridden all over, taken many classes and TRS blows them all away.
Commit and make it happen.