Clipless vs. Flats

On 2005-06-26, Mark Hickey penned:

Quoted message said:

Being a closet roadie, I pull up on the back half of the stroke a
lot more than most MTBers (actually, according to a Spinscan
computer, a lot more than most roadies). That's the only place I
ever pop a pedal out - it would be (as you've found) unlikely for
the pedal to release on the front half of the stroke (since you're
pushing down on the cleat).

You may or may not ever develop a "round spin" to the point where
loose cleats are a problem.

Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles http://www.habcycles.com Home of the
$695 ti frame

Well, nevermind the spin stuff, but I rode a rockier, rootier,
all-around tougher trail today than I usually do, and I noticed just a
couple times that my feet were thinking about detaching. Usually
because I was really moving around to keep the bike upright after
botching something.

--
monique

"Get a bicycle. You will not regret it, if you live."
-- Mark Twain

SuperG said:

I ride both. All the XC riding is with clipless, doing some trials with
the flats. Any thoughts on one or the other? My flat peddle riders say
they (flats) are better - they are afraid of the clipless saying they
are dangerous. It seems you need to have alot of time in the saddle to
"train" your feet to unclip properly - they seem to unclip fine every
time I fly over the bars and bounce off the ground... thoughts?

Personally, I've been a flat rider from day 1...never saw the need for
clipless. But now that I have a more respectable ride and a sweet river
valley trail system (everything from paved bike "roads" to gravel
"multi-use trail" (just watch out for all the flippin' dogs off leash)
to single track and some brutal climbs, I'm seriously giving them a look.

I have to agree with a lot of the comments here...flats are great
teaching tools to help you keep with your bike and control it with your
upper body...but being able to pull up when you are in tight (vs having
to load up the fork and launch then shift using your upper body to move
things) is easier.

I'll likely go to clipless for most of my riding next season, one I get
the full feel of my new ride in all the areas I run.

Psycho Mike