Clipless or flat pedals

[screenman]

4 of my bikes have SPD on the fifth has flats, even though the one with flats on only gets rode on about once a year I seem to have no problems.

 

[Backonmybike]

I started cycling this summer after a 30 year gap. Used flats for a couple of months until I got confident riding again and changed to dual flat/spd. I set the tension to low and practiced for a couple of days and only had one fall on the first day. I never use the flat side now unless I am going on a very short trip even then it doesnt feel right. A bit like driving without a seatbelt.

 

[youngoldbloke]

this?

or this?

with toe clips or not?
- or this?

They are all classics aren't they? (Not to mention the classic Shimano SPD pedal, Speedplay, Crank brothers etc etc).

 

[screenman]

OK - what is the broad consensus of what a classic traditional pedal looks like?

SPD of course, what else is there.

 

[terry_gardener]

i have both flats and clipless (spd) and i prefer flats. but i agree with earlier posts if you want to use clipless do so if not dont.

 

[mickle]

Google 'The shoes ruse'.

 

[Drago]

Try cycling for a week in plimsolls and then re-read The Shoes Ruse.

 

[The_Cycling_Scientist]

now they are nice pedals! I am still in two minds as to whether to keep my vintage pug pedals with the toe clips or get something similar to these in a chrome finish for the winter

 

[Gravity Aided]

+

now they are nice pedals! I am still in two minds as to whether to keep my vintage pug pedals with the toe clips or get something similar to these in a chrome finish for the winter

Those are Lambda Pedals, by MKS. They are very nice. I use the Nike Hiking shoes with those in this weather, and switch to boots in the winter.

 

[theloafer]

I have a mix and match approach (but not on the same bike). As far as I can see, there really is no firm evidence of the suggested benefits of clipless pedals. I have only put them on my "best" bike because flats would look a bit odd.

as odd as this (seems fine to me) looks like a bike with pedals... my carbon road bike

 

[G3CWI]

as odd as this (seems fine to me) looks like a bike with pedals... my carbon road bike
View attachment 61494

What pedals/cages are they?

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I remember my brother getting his first computer and thinking why would anyone want one of those. After all a pencil, paper and abacus works fine.

and they do even in a power cut when lighting a candle won't make the internet come back on.

I've gone from flats to clipless and pretty much totally back to flats again now. I prefer the utility of being able to hop on a bike and go nowadays and don't like the click clack or clank clank of even MTB SPD shoes when walking out and about / in town.

My roadie has clipless as much for aesthetics as anything performance wise (me? performance?? hahahahahah) &I've just taken the dual sided pedals off my MTB this afternoon and replaced them with straight flats

 

[youngoldbloke]

as odd as this (seems fine to me) looks like a bike with pedals... my carbon road bike
View attachment 61494

Looks like a bike with pedals with toeclips and straps - that's fine (if a bit 'retro' ) - not what I think of as 'flat' pedals at all.

 

[theloafer]

What pedals/cages are they?

these http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mks/sylvan-touring-pedals-ec012137
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mks/sylvan-touring-pedals-ec012137 had hard job finding the red straps though