What’s wrong with flat pedals on a road bike?

i wish clipless weren't called clipless cause its causes confusion doesn't it - i mean you clip into them don't ya?

I use spd pedals on my road bike. Handy to walk in when I get off the bike and easy to clip in and out.

I am not interested in racing either, but I noticed a real benefit once I swapped from flat pedals on long spins. It is not about pulling up on the pedal and maximising power output, it is just that you don't have to think about keeping your foot on the pedal. You may not consciously notice it but you are keeping your "up" foot on the flat pedal so it is ready to push down on the down stroke. This takes only a tiny bit less effort when clipped in. But a "tiny bit" (to use the scientific term) less effort on every pedal revolution adds up over a 3/4 hour ride to being less tired at the end of it.

Maybe that is all in my head and maybe it is just a placebo effect, but even if so - why not? It took me a few hours to get used to clipping in and more importantly to clipping out, but once that was done the benefits last forever.

But as others have suggested - you do you. I will never shave my legs, but clipless pedals are well worth it imo.

magicbastarder wrote: »

i have the shimano version of these, similar to what others have mentioned.

https://www.decathlon.ie/en/bike-trekking-pedals/120472-33375-spd-compatible-clipless-flat-mountain-bike-pedals-500.html#/demodelsize-254/demodelcolor-8379913

Im the same, Shimano XT 8000, by far my fav cycling accessory or after market addition or whatever you'd call it, they're the perfect way to give yourself the option of shooting down to the shops without having to change shoes, I tried every other well known pair before settling on them and they were all torture, like literally a flawed design that hurt your feet even the other Shimanos. Prices are flying up on them though, literally 100% increase on when I last bought a pair:

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/shimano-xt-t8000-spd-trekking-pedals/rp-prod156186?gs=1&sku=sku570233&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PLA+All+Products&utm_medium=base&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgtWDBhDZARIsADEKwgPUVTRI2KZxppCyeWaeDNTfFFes0JrnZHuSCxR4sHojkRRUxMHuPbEaAntMEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Ill be trying those Decathalon rip-offs next time I think.

Cant believe that GCN video though, Ive never disagreed with them more. I wouldn't go near the Wicklow mountains without being clipped in, Id have to get off and walk just to get out of Enniskerry if I tried to do it on flats.

There's nothing wrong with it OP. I've got shimano MTB pedals on the gravel bike. It's just more versatile for me because ill often abandon the bike and walk for a bit.

I also wear ould shítty new balance runners while cycling and just a plain black jogging tshirt. I know I'm a good cyclist and can tackle some insane hills no problem and cycle for hours.

There's so many different styles and disciplines when it comes to cycling, so do whatever works for you and feels best.
For me pedals are probably way down the list of whats important.

But I know what you're saying regarding other cyclists. This is definitely one of the more snobby sports I participate in. Lots of sneering and fanatics galore.

There’s certainly nothing wrong with flats and if you’ve been commuting on road bikes for 25 years as mentioned, then you certainly should have a good idea what works well for you. Clearly whatever works for you can’t be wrong. As a few have alluded to, flats are better for commuting in many people’s opinion. I find I’m a safer cyclist commuting with flats as I don’t try to avoid clipping out/putting foot down.

I think though your question is more akin to “why do ‘road biking enthusiasts’ (leaving racing out completely) almost all use clipless pedals and why do some of them think it’s wrong to use flats”. If that’s the question then I think for the first part it’s likely that most will tell you it’s more comfortable and/or easier to apply consistent power over long distances with clipless pedals. My own view is that the fixed position is supportive and with the right set-up over time it facilitates you to build muscles needed for long distance endurance in your legs. The rigidity helps with the specialisation.

For the second part of the question, why do some think flats are wrong, I think it’s a mixture of just going along with the accepted wisdom that clipless are better over long distances and also (but more rarely in my limited experience) the snobbery about “the rules” etc. For the last group it’s best to just ignore them. Almost nobody takes this seriously and if they do it’s not your issue.

Still though, don’t be surprised if your choice would raise some eyebrows on a group ride (much like it would if you choose to wear those gaa shorts!) but almost nobody really cares so long as you are keeping pace safely.

Recently bought a decent road bike as I enjoy short high intensity climbs of the hills in my locality(Up around viewpoint in South Dublin). I'd previously been doing this with a steel frame Surly cyclocross bike and I find it tough to get up to the top without stopping a couple of times. Anyway I've never used clipless pedals/shoes so I toyed with the idea of finally getting them. The bike shop fitted flat pedals for free when giving me the bike so while I was still thinking over clipless pedals/shoes I have done a few big spins with the flats. It's been several weeks now and I think I'm just going to stick with the flats. I'm not looking to get a KOM or cover long distances in as short amount of time as possible, I just enjoy cycling for fitness/weight loss so if flat pedals mean more effort then I guess that's a good thing for me. Who knows, I may still get them in future and realise what I've been missing out on all this time

magicbastarder wrote: »

But you were wearing runners with spd pedals? Of course that's not going to end well.

They are double sided. Spd on one side and standard foot pedals on the the other.

I always* got the impression that the rules were more serious than not, or at the very least, they were a joke created off the back of something much more serious.

Like, even though they overstate the fact, they're based around the idea that people out cycling bikes genuinely think like that.


*Always being the last two or so years since I was made aware of the bloody things