Riding Flats or Going Clip-less....

When choosing what type of pedal for your bike there are a few things to consider. From the traditional platform pedal to many of the clipless options out there it can be a bit confusing. This article will help shine some light on which option just might be the right one for you. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and give this a read by the way.

Traditional Platform Pedals

Platform pedals come in many different styles and variations. Like any accessory your are purchasing be sure to do some research to make sure this product suits your riding style & preference. Platform pedals are a very popular go to for many reasons. Primarily the choice of foot wear you use is not restricted (This will be addressed a little bit down the line). From sneakers, to hiking boots etc platform pedals allow use of almost anything...er even flip flops (um be careful with that one). Another added value is that the rider is NOT attached or connected to the pedal in any way shape or form. This allows for unlimited freedom of movement and easy dismounts in and situation. Platform pedals generally are more robust by nature which means that the occasional fall or contact with rocks etc wont leave you with a broken pedal. If you are looking for a performance option they do make lighter low profile versions with replaceable pins for added traction. Side note....these are NOT shine or leg friendly "slipping off" these pedals can hurt. Also...nothing hurts more that catching a pedal to the shin...so be aware of this option. Only down side to platform pedals... because of the unrestricted movement they will not be as efficient in terms of energy out put and easy of climbing etc.

Clipless Pedals

Clipless pedals for many seem very intimidating right from the get go. Like anything you try for the first time getting better at it takes practice. Which brings us to the point of clipless pedals...this option requires a specific shoe that has a special "cleat" on the bottom. When the rider clips in...it's as solid of an interface as you get. For this particular set up you will need to invest into a pair of clipless pedal shoes (These particular shoes have special cleat mounts on the bottom of the shoe). Good news the clipless pedal shoes come in MANY different styles were are sure will find something that fits your style & look etc. From an efficiency perspective this is as good as it gets, much better power transfer and almost mini energy waste. One of the most noticeable differences is riding will be on flats surfaces and ease of climbing. In terms of freedom of movement etc. many of the pedals systems have some "float" or play. (This is a bit more restricting than the platform pedal option). When it comes to releasing from the pedal this is the part that does take a bit of practice. For pedal release the rider has to move their heel away from the crank arm. To get this particular effort down to a science it's best to practice with one foot first at a time BEFORE clipping both feet in. To avoid any major slams while learning try riding in a grassy field OR put your bike on a stationary trainer. The above tips will definitely fast track you to getting the hang of clipping in and out of the pedals. (Pro Tip: When learning to ride clipless pedals off road for the first time avoid super technical terrain) 

I hope these tips and suggestions help, in the mean time, happy trails & don't forget to take time to stop and enjoy the ride !!! Any other question, comments, ideas or suggestions please feel free to drop me a line I would love to hear from you !!!