So I am thinking about simplifying my riding by dropping the clipless pedals and just riding some good platform pedals. The idea is that I can just hop on and ride, and if I have to hike/run, then at least I have some comfy kicks on. I have seen that some of the old-school McClung riders are doing this. Anyone else? Am I gonna lose a lot of speed for racing?
I used to BMX, so bunny hopping and jumping won't be a problem. I have the skeelz
I run platforms on every single speed bike I own. I have a bmx background as well and I would strongly recommend running platforms. Single speeds are all about simplicity and for me platforms are just the way to go. What type/brand are you planning on using?
I've been considering this but I started biking on clipless basically. I can always get out of the pedals when I need to and I'm afraid if I switch to platforms I'll be sliding off. I looked up nice platforms and shoes, but it's just as pricey if not more than my picked up on clearance egg beaters and fancy blue velcro shoes. I guess there's only one way to find out if I like it though.
I run platforms on every single speed bike I own. I have a bmx background as well and I would strongly recommend running platforms. Single speeds are all about simplicity and for me platforms are just the way to go. What type/brand are you planning on using?
I just got a pair of DMR v12 mags for pretty cheap. They were affordable and they seem pretty solid/rebuildable...Also, they have a heck of lot more grip than my old bmx pedals had as a kid. I'm not looking forward to slipping on them.
I'm thinking that the platforms will be great for epic rides where I will be hiking a bunch and for simplicity. I'll probably race clipless if I am really gunning for a win, though. Then again, maybe I will just let go of that and focus on having fun :thumbsup:
Do you guys/gals think platforms are a disadvantage pedaling-wise?
I singlespeed with candi pedals that have a bit of a platform but clip in. I worry about coming off the flats and banging my legs up on aggressive hill climbs. But using a shoe with some comfort and being able to jog and walk in comfort with the bike would allow a bit of cross training for a workout change up. For me......maybe the answer is to give both a try. You can get some cheap and dirty plastic flats ..... throw on your running shoes and give it a whirl. 15 ..... 20 bucks. or less.
I'd do platform myself, but I come from a middle class, Protestant background and my parents worried that bmx would ruin my khakis. If I went away from clipless, I could bunnyhop and get some air, but my bike would still be on the trail.
But yeah, we have some awesome threads on platforms v. clipless.
IMO t really depends on what kind of trails you ride and how you ride them. For instance there are sections of trails I like to ride that at the speed I take through those sections my feet have nearly rattled off platforms which is no fun whereas with clipless its no problem. More speed please:thumbsup: .
Also when I ride across town sometime and I want to go into a store I don't necessarily feel comfortable clicking up and down the isles just to get my chocolate milk fix while on a ride. Having platforms w/ some regular footwear would be more appropriate.
One need outweighs the other though so I guess I'll have to listen to myself click through the store isles with my clippless shoes on. I'm too lazy in that regard to really want to switch petals on and off just for an occasional benefit like that.
Nothing wrong with either kind of petal. To each their own.
I singlespeed with candi pedals that have a bit of a platform but clip in. I worry about coming off the flats and banging my legs up on aggressive hill climbs. But using a shoe with some comfort and being able to jog and walk in comfort with the bike would allow a bit of cross training for a workout change up. For me......maybe the answer is to give both a try. You can get some cheap and dirty plastic flats ..... throw on your running shoes and give it a whirl. 15 ..... 20 bucks. or less.
I disagree with this approach. If you want to try platforms you need to try a decent pair and learn a few different techniques like putting the pedals in front of you on the downhill. Cheap plastic pedals have no grip and do suck off road.
I've got crank brothers mallets on one of my single speeds. In town or easy trails=regular shoes. technical stuff=clip in. Is this really that difficult?
I've got crank brothers mallets on one of my single speeds. In town or easy trails=regular shoes. technical stuff=clip in. Is this really that difficult?
Gave it a try yesterday. I definitely think It's a little slower on really steep hills -- I can't pull up, which is pretty necessary on a single speed when it gets steep. Anyway, I'm gonna do an epic ride on them on Saturday (lots of hiking sections and 5+ hours), so we'll see.
Ultimately, I think the platforms will be great for riding/training/epics on the single speed. For races, I will clip back in and get a boost.
Oh, and wheelies are way easier on the platforms, which is fun :thumbsup:
TruAtiv Holzellers on my SS and Straitlines on my FS. I like clipless for certain trails under some conditions but prefer platforms most of the time, having been a BMX kid in the '80s.
Plus, decent platforms really don't slip much IMO with good shoes like five-tens. Now cheap-a$$ed pedals with crappy shoes will cheesegrate your shins like hell and yeah, I know that from painful experience. :nono:
I was thinking these guys would end up walking around in the woods if they keep simplifying too much. BoonesDaddy let's hear from you after 5 hr ride (6 hr if no clip-ins). I ride steep NorCal trails and sometimes rocky, so platforms are way too dangerous and inefficient for a 42 year old hardtail singlespeed rider. If someone lets me borrow a $6000 downhill 8 inch travel squish bike I'll give platforms an honest try ( and all your pads ), ( oh, and a car ride to the top ) , ( and I would have to borrow your shoes ewwwwww ). Car rides to the top. What a joke.
I love my platforms. Don't like clip-less at all. but I guess what ever your use to is what to go with. I use 50/50 crank-brothers (all pins installed ) for off road and a set of twisted PC odyssey pedals for street ridding . The techniques for ridding change dramatically but you can't beat the option of taking your feet off the pedals when needed. When choosing a platform look for concave in the pedal it helps for grip and placement . The shoes I suggest would be old school type skate shoes like vans or I Paths. I personally use Dekline bodega's .
I ride clipless and platforms. All my bikes are clipless right now, but I rode platforms quite a bit this last summer. All I ride are rigid singlespeeds. I think both pedal types have their advantages and don't really have an interest in convincing people one way or the other, but dangerous? Give me a break.
I did a 5+ hour backcountry ride on Monday on a trail that is really hard on a fully rigid single speed. I probably hiked about 8 miles out of the 40 mile total. The platforms were great. The only places I missed my clips were on really steep climbs and on the dirt road downhills where I spun out. However, these areas wouldn't be an issue on platforms if you have gears. I don't think anyone would even notice a difference in power. Overall, I would say platforms are about 95% as efficient as clipless (just a guess obviously).
Ironically, however, I got horrible blisters from hiking in my "comfy" vans. That has never happened in my SPD shoes :madman: . Stupid.
I'm still gonna ride clipless for big races, but the platforms were fine otherwise. Plus, they make trips to the store and popping wheelies a lot easier. Just need comfier shoes.
I always ride in Etnies if I'm on platforms, which is basically on if I'm on my BMX bike. My Etnies are also my regular pair of shoes I wear when not riding. I tried Vans, Air Walks, cheap shoes, etc. and Etnies are the best. They can survive some crashes too. The only time I've used platforms on my mountain bike is when trying a difficult trail for the first few times.
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