clips vs flats Debate

[driftking]

I dont think the "confidence" argument is all that relevant, when compared to actual numbers...

I could feel confident with 300mm bars and no brakes - would that mean I am faster than if I were to have a normal set up?

Realistic though would you feel Comfortable with 300mm bars and no brakes on your current dh tracks?
You can't dispute confidence there are guys finishing out side the too 20 who are just as physically and skillfully as fast but mentally they can't compete and reach that next level.

I know for a fact mentality can make a big difference not small but leaps of difference upto a other level.
If we look at the top guys of course we see less variation as most as so highly developed in all aspects, you need to look further down the result sheet or at the guys who excel at state and national levels to see the difference in mentality where we can compare those who don't have confidence.

 

[Mywifesirrational]

The only thing about these debates that annoy me is the term 'clips'....

Clips - refers to toe clips very common before the early 90's



Clipless refers to pedals that you attach to but without the toeclips....



I personally prefer clipless, as this is what I am comfortable using, but either way as long as I'm having fun, I don't care what other people use -although clipless is faster!

 

[nexusfish]

This is a pretty whacky idea, but try riding both and see which one you like.

This is the best suggestion. When trying to mak up my mind, i put a clip on the left and a flat on the right then swapped clip on right and flat on left.

I got solid results and found that if the majority of turns in the track were left then the clip on the right was the best and visa versa.

These days i run two clips so i can turn both ways on a track.

 

[Doggy]

I ran flats for many many many a turn of the moon and quite happily bagged the shit out of clips...I run clips now:embarassed: Dont judge me
I started running clips on my hardtail for sprinting around the BMX tracks and got quite comfy on them and confident, thought Id try them on my Stumpy and loved them on that. Was still all about flats on my v10 until I started losing my feet off the pedals from being too used to jumping in clips so took the next sensible route and staple gunned my 510s to my pedals. That worked all well and good but the sensible thing would have been to put clips...it would have saved me ruining a perfectly good pair of 510s at a good number of staples.
I wasnt all that confident on them on the v10 but Im more then happy running them now, ran flats again for a day in whistler and nearly killed myself (got lazy with the feet) so went back to clips. I prefer the clips for the moment but I do miss the ability to move my feet around a bit but I definitely dont have them same confidence on wet roots (my currently broken ankle can attest to that) that I did on flats but thats more a case of me dusting the sand out...who rides in the wet anyway?? Jumping, rocks, drifty shenanigans and all the like Im happy riding on but wet roots are the devil I tells ya. I suspect I shall have to return to flats for a while once Im back on the cycles and my ankle is still healing but I will be getting back on them

 

[SPECIALIST]

i ve ben riding for 15 years and ride dh and xc on spd. I tried flats for dh but after a year on them i went back to spd

 

[Puppet Master]

The only thing about these debates that annoy me is the term 'clips'....

Clips - refers to toe clips very common before the early 90's

View attachment 244700

Clipless refers to pedals that you attach to but without the toeclips....

View attachment 244701

I personally prefer clipless, as this is what I am comfortable using, but either way as long as I'm having fun, I don't care what other people use -although clipless is faster!

Beat me to it! Pedantic old bast*rds that we are!

 

[avantikid]

My 2cents worth...

I prefer clipless over flats anyday...but, I got so used to them on my all mountain bike and didn't ride my DH bike for about 3-4 months(which has flats), that when I finally decided I would pull out the old DH bike it did't go well...i was just cruising up and down my street getting used to the feel of it again,(Here comes the painfull bit!!), that I jumped up a driveway, feet came off the pedals, and got wedged between the seat and rear tyre...lets just say I felt sick for about 3hrs after that...and it hurt for weeks afterwards
SO i could quite happily say im now a clipless rider on all my bikes...cause well I wana keep my balls where the are!!!!

But they do take some getting used to...my mate, who is a flats DH rider swapped bikes and shoes with me for a run...we both crashed a couple times, cause we were just not used to the pedals on each others bike!

Like everyone else has said...try both then decide...but for starting out in DH...dont even bother with clipless!!

 

[Trigger02]

Me personally would never go riding without clips. My hair would go everywhere!

 

[donny70]

I crash way better on flats.

 

[dienamics]

I recently wrote a couple of articles on the flats vs clipless topic on my site. I have gone from always riding flats to riding clipless, I found it better but I always had trouble with the foot position being too far forward for what I was used to so...got the tools out...



Now I would never go back to using flats for DH!

Part 1

Part 2

 

[snyper140]

Clips for me

Hey Champ,

I've just spent 1 months working as an mtb guide in Bolivia and racing the downhill series there. I'm on a V10 and now swear by the Crank Bros mallet 3 pedals. I started on clips, changed to flats and have now gone back to clips.

Bolivia's downhill tracks are super steep and fast and the confidence to control the bike with clips is unbelievable. For me, hitting big drops and jumps flat out is easier knowing that your feet are always in the right position. Don't stress about crashing, it's not that scary. Most times you'll come out naturally and on the odd occasion you don't, suck it up

Enjoy!!!

 

[johnoo01]

it Really is up to personal preference, i ride flats and i have been for years, it is because i am used to them.but on the other hand i know many downhill riders that have made the transfer from flats to clips and all of them swear by them.

 

[Dozer]

Riding clips is great because it actually gives you a valid opinion in the flat vs clip discussions. Most of the time though you only get input from fanboys who use strictly one of the other and never try the opposing style in fear that someone may bag them in public.