Flat Pedals For Road Bike
05-11-23, 01:10 PM
#27
Newbie
05-13-23, 05:19 PM
#28
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I'd feel pretty weird riding my road bike with flat pedals, but if you're comfortable with it, go for it. However, if the issue is being able to unclip faster and easier due to your injury, you might want to consider either (a) a pair of road pedals that will allow you to adjust the release mechanism to a super-duper low tension, or (b) a pair of cross country MTB pedals. I have Time Speciale XC/Enduro pedals on my gravel bike. The cleat is similar to Shimano SPD MTB pedals. In general, I believe that MTB clipless pedals can be adjusted to release faster and easier than most road pedals. And the Speciales have a big platform and adjustable pins in addition to the clip.
05-15-23, 09:51 PM
#29
Senior Member
Adidas Velosambas have semi-stiff soles, and you should be able to use them without cleats. I use them with SPD cleats when I’m riding in the city - less likely to have a clipping incident than with single sided road pedals.
05-15-23, 11:30 PM
#30
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I switched over to flat pedals with pins about 5 years ago on my touring/commuter/errand/knock-around/transportation bike.
I don't have a car so that bike gets used almost everyday for daily living.
I use skate shoes from Big 5 Sporting Goods, less than 30 bucks a pair.
Before I made the switch I also was filled with trepidation and doubt.
My vanity/ego was worried that I would not be taken as a "serious" cyclist by my pedaling peers.
But when I'm out and about I spend a fair amount of time walking around and it is so nice wearing comfortable walking shoes.
With those big, wide pedals there really is no need for a stiff sole found on specialty ($$) shoes.
I have easily (last year) knocked out 50 miles in an afternoon with no regrets (except for the Schwalbe Marathon Plus's that I'm running).
That's not to say that 3 and 2 bolt shoes don't have their place (I'm down to 3 pairs).
When I get together with "the boys" for a ride on one of my "sport" bikes then it is time for the full road warrior kit.
There is something magical about riding in a paceline, locked into your pedals, one with the bicycle, hauling a$$.
But now in my twilight (??) years those days are getting far and few between.
TLDR Don't worry about using flat pedals, you're not losing anything and you are still ahead of 99.9% of the population.
I don't have a car so that bike gets used almost everyday for daily living.
I use skate shoes from Big 5 Sporting Goods, less than 30 bucks a pair.
Before I made the switch I also was filled with trepidation and doubt.
My vanity/ego was worried that I would not be taken as a "serious" cyclist by my pedaling peers.
But when I'm out and about I spend a fair amount of time walking around and it is so nice wearing comfortable walking shoes.
With those big, wide pedals there really is no need for a stiff sole found on specialty ($$) shoes.
I have easily (last year) knocked out 50 miles in an afternoon with no regrets (except for the Schwalbe Marathon Plus's that I'm running).
That's not to say that 3 and 2 bolt shoes don't have their place (I'm down to 3 pairs).
When I get together with "the boys" for a ride on one of my "sport" bikes then it is time for the full road warrior kit.
There is something magical about riding in a paceline, locked into your pedals, one with the bicycle, hauling a$$.
But now in my twilight (??) years those days are getting far and few between.
TLDR Don't worry about using flat pedals, you're not losing anything and you are still ahead of 99.9% of the population.
05-16-23, 04:44 PM
#31
Senior Member
I've ridden pinned flats with 5-10 Freeriders for 7-8 years on my C&V road bike. Once I get to 35-40 miles, I swear I can feel the pedals through the 5-10 soles. One to-do on my list is to glue some Vibram to the soles of my entry-level road shoes to get less flexible shoes.
The problem I had with clipped pedals is that the shoes I could try on were either too small/tight or too big/loose. I chose the looser version, so when I rotated my feet to release from the clip, my foot first moved inside the shoe, and then the shoe moved. That meant I couldn't reliably rotate the shoe enough to free my foot, so I fell every 3-4 rides. I don't have that problem with the pinned flats. Besides, when my knee hurts, as it often does, I can adjust my foot position on the flats.
If I raced, I might have put more effort into making clips work.
The problem I had with clipped pedals is that the shoes I could try on were either too small/tight or too big/loose. I chose the looser version, so when I rotated my feet to release from the clip, my foot first moved inside the shoe, and then the shoe moved. That meant I couldn't reliably rotate the shoe enough to free my foot, so I fell every 3-4 rides. I don't have that problem with the pinned flats. Besides, when my knee hurts, as it often does, I can adjust my foot position on the flats.
If I raced, I might have put more effort into making clips work.
05-17-23, 06:47 AM
#32
slow on any terrain
I have RaceFace Chesters (pinned flats) on my bike. My Merrill hiking shoes turned out to be just the ticket.
05-17-23, 07:44 AM
#33
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I’m currently using Deore XT PD-M8140 flats on my road bike. They are light, and feel super solid. I wear soft soled shoes with them and the pins really lock you on, but no problems stepping right off.
05-17-23, 02:06 PM
#34
Clark W. Griswold
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My favorite pedals are the Crank Bros Stamps, UFC person Connor McGregor rides a very very very nice custom made carbon road bike and uses Stamp 11s (in his case custom ones with his nickname on them) and I think they are fine. On my road bike I use XT clipless pedals personally but in the end there is nothing wrong with platform pedals especially good grippy ones like the Stamps.
