flats or clipped in ?

? for you downhillers. as i'm getting into more downhill stuff and have always rode clipped in, i was wondering how many clip in or ride flat pedals at say southridge, mammoth, etc. ? does the trail dictate which ones you use, or are you clipped in or flats all the time?

thanks

 

Well being clipped in is ideal I guess. For DH and BMX I ride flats. The biggest thing is, do what feels right. I rode BMX and DH clipped and it just felt wrong. At the same time, long Am rides, I need to be clipped in for the peace of mind. Go figure.
Its all what feels right.

 

I agree with bighit8, do what feels right. I ride clipped in more than on flats, but I still choose the flats for DH. With the right pedal/shoe combo, I feel like I can get just as much pedal power as being clipped in.

 

I tried clipping in but for me flats work better for DH stuff. I always had a tough time getting clipped back in after a dab in a techie section.

 

Flats for DH!!! Kona WahWah's or Crank Bros 5050xx pedals and FiveTen shoes.

 

Denmo, truer words have never been spoken.

510 shoes and Kona WahWah's for me. Works like a charm.

 

Best of both?

I ride CB mallets.
Clipped 90% of the time. If the descnt looks like it might get out of control I unclip and ride them as flats.
Safety being the consideration!

 

+1 for me! I ride the same :beer:

 

The Wah Wah's are great pedals. I have them on my ride. They grab great to your soles. :wave:

 

I ride clipped all the time. I feel like I'm in more control.

 

thanks everyone. that's what i was looking for.

 

What clipless shoes work well with flats? My sidis suck with flats. Any DH type clipless/flats compatible shoes out there?

 

personally, I think everyone should practice some with flats. For me, when I rode clipless almost exclusively for over two years... I found that I sort of "cheated" alot with my body position. I wasn't staying centered, wasn't unweighting properly, etc. After riding some with flats, my body position is much better, even when riding clipless now.

Plus, I find when I'm really pushing my limits, I'm a little braver on flats.. cause I know it's easy to eject, or step off.

 

Kona Wah Wah 's here, they are thin and curved pefectly. Try shoes w/ rock climbing sole (Intense made some ) the are sooo sticky its almost like being clipped in.

 

As said, it comes down to personal preference and mental comfort.

I started riding clipless when SPD's first came out. These days I use Mallet-C's and am able to unclip and clip in as if I wear on flats and if I do miss clipping in I know the cleat will engage with in a stroke or two.

The only bike I have with flats these days is my neglected dj'er but when I start taking that to the track I will toss on some clipless as well.

 

I agree with the Flats call. I have rode mallets and have clipped in on accident. I like Welgo MG-1 or similar pedals with 510 shoes.

 

Flats with, five tens, or cheap vans with waffle soles, for the most part you arent gaining anything clipping in on the DH, you shouldn't be using your pedals to hop your bike or stay connected to it.

 

I ride flats because size 15 shoes are tough to find, and the pair I did get were not wide enough. For pedals the Atomlab trailkings are the best flats there are, CNC'ed from an extrusion with a 14mm spindle they carry a full warranty and service parts are available. For shoes Nike trail running shoes have been great, especiaqlly on Saturday when I walked four miles due to the group going through half a dozen tubes is the same rock garden. First time I had to pack crap in my tire because patches would not hold, but that will be it's own thread.

Stay within your budget and ride what you like.

 

Northwave Raptor

It has the same appearance as a Sid but the sole is softer ans it grips well. Otherwise the more recreational Shimano MTB shoes have flat soles and work well.

 

Old school, checking-in with full toe clips. You know the ones with the straps that you sinch down. Been using them for 10 or 15 years, and I think I'm too old to change. With just flat pedals I feel naked, but clipless scared the hell out of me. Full-toes seem just right, ahhh. I know I'm not going to win anybody over, but they work for me, and that seems to be the jist of this thread.

Just try not to laugh when you see me on the trail.

MBA