Why We Love Flat Pedals
As I mentioned in a recent Instagram story, whether to use flat vs clipless pedals while mountain biking is a matter of intense controversy in some circles… including circles that gather for my family’s Thanksgiving dinner! Even though I’ve ridden and raced with clipless pedals most of my career, I made the switch to flats a couple of years ago and now stand firmly in the camp of platform pedals—especially while learning new mountain biking skills! There are several reasons for choosing flat vs clipless pedals, including increased safety, skill-building, and confidence while riding.
Flat pedals are safer
Platform pedals have a larger surface area for your feet. When paired with mountain-bike-specific shoes with stiff and grippy soles, they provide enough traction to keep you from slipping off your pedals, even when you go over features or off jumps. Platforms are generally safer for descents and technical terrain since it’s easier and faster to step off a flat pedal than it is to unclip from clipless pedals—even for very experienced riders.
Flat pedals can help riders avoid some biking accidents. At some point, most of us have experienced crashing simply because we weren’t able to unclip in time—this sort of crash has contributed to many riders sustaining serious hip/acetabulum injuries. Further, while robust, peer-reviewed pedal-safety studies are scarce, there is some evidence that crashing with flat pedals results in less-serious injuries than crashing with clipless pedals. We know many riders who ascribe their bike-crash collarbone fractures to their inability to unclip, and mountain biking forums are full of clipless cautionary tales.
Flat pedals can help you ride with more confidence
This is especially true for new riders facing the flat vs clipless pedals dilemma. Especially when you’re facing unfamiliar technical terrain, being able to step off your bike in a split second or touch down briefly is a huge benefit and can expand the type and number of features you feel confident trying. You can read about this person’s unexpected confidence boost when swapping to flat pedals.
Flat pedals can help you develop better technique
Riding with your shoes clipped into your pedals can impair your progress when learning skills such as rear-wheel lifts, bunnyhopping, and dirt jumps. When you are clipped in, it’s easier to pull up on your pedals in order to lift your bike and rear wheel. This results in your center of gravity not being positioned over the bike correctly and not learning the skills properly. Using platform pedals forces you to use good pedal position to optimize efficiency and avoid pedal strikes. In addition, flats force you to use better sinking and scooping techniques and provide a larger platform for preloading before jumps and lifts—all of which will greatly improve your technique, fun, and safety!
Once many advanced riders have mastered riding techniques, they may choose to use clipless pedals for cross-country rides and switch to flats for more downhill or technical rides. We highly encourage you to use flats while you are building your skill repertoire!
Metal vs. Plastic Flat Pedals
Flat pedals come in both plastic and metal versions. Assuming the same quality, plastic/composite pedals are generally less expensive, but more prone to breaking. Metal pedals are stiffer, less prone to breakage, and will result in more of your muscle power being transferred to getting up the hill.
Some flat pedals we ride and love:
CrankBrothers Stamp 1 are the least expensive, quality pedal on the market. I have used them on my bikes for the past 4 years. I use the small pedal.
Deity Deftraps are high-quality composite pedals, also at a great price point. They come in fun colors and are solid options.
Chromag Contact Pedals are lightweight alloy pedals with a minimalist design. They are great for dirt jumping, but work just as well for cross-country and — we love them.
Raceface Atlas Pedals have an excellent reputation for their durable alloy construction, long and adjustable pins, and lifetime warranty.
Stamp 7 pedals have a slightly concave shape to help keep your feet from sliding off the pedals. They come in two different sizes to accommodate smaller and larger feet.
Shimano Hybrid pedals. Some pedal peddlers sell hybrid versions with platforms on one side and an SPD clip-in on the other side. While some purists from both camps pan the hybrid model, we know riders who love them.
