So a recent foray into the free ride/DH-ish world has me thinking of moving (At least part time...) to flat pedals with a skater type gummy soled shoe. What are the cool kids wearing these days?
Shoes with flats...
- Thread starter JohnE
- Start date
Nice thing about flats...wear anything.
I use some lightweight hiking boots but I'm not cool.
I use some lightweight hiking boots but I'm not cool.
Are you currently riding clipped ?
I never could go back to flats after bing clipped in. Rode flats in BMX, but just could't do it for DH. All could I think about while riding was where my feet were. Damn shame to lose track of your feet.
I never could go back to flats after bing clipped in. Rode flats in BMX, but just could't do it for DH. All could I think about while riding was where my feet were. Damn shame to lose track of your feet.
I found the transition quite painless. And I gotta say...I don't really miss clipless.
Pedaling in hiking boots would make me want to shoot myself in the face.
But do you.
5/10s. Impact Lo for me. Been running 'em ever since I went to flats maybe 8 years ago. Got a pair of freeriders cheap on amazon last winter bit haven't tried 'em out yet.
I'm struggling to see what ability has to do with deliberately making yourself uncomfortable.
You must be a pigeon toed mother fucker if the boots don't rub.
Allways been on flats for dh but pretty much allways clipped for xc.
Now last year I seem to have misplaced my pedals and have just been riding flats on the xc bike since. Ill never go back to riding clipped in for anything.
But, imo... Five Tens are definitly a must. Did a small lap some days ago on normal sneakers and my feet were all over the place.
Now last year I seem to have misplaced my pedals and have just been riding flats on the xc bike since. Ill never go back to riding clipped in for anything.
But, imo... Five Tens are definitly a must. Did a small lap some days ago on normal sneakers and my feet were all over the place.
Fiveten or the offerings from Giro. I like the hightops for ankle protection.
I've been using the Freeriders for several years now and love them. I had debated between the Impacts Lo and the Freeriders when I was originally looking but went with the Freeriders because they're lighter and felt more like a typical casual skate shoe.
EDIT: Also... since they look like a typical skate shoe then you don't look awkward when using them on a casual bike path ride with the family (vs the clunky boot-like appearance of the Impacts... in my opinion)
(I have these exact ones)
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Yes, been clipped in for years now...but dont like the feeling that i if I need to drop a foot I then have to search for a clip. Will stay with clips for XC, but also dig the idea posited by Iceball about the family rides.
Anyone try the Teva Links?
Anyone try the Teva Links?
Flats with 5.10s ftw.
Also, in winter, riding in boots rocks.
Also, in winter, riding in boots rocks.
I alternate back and forth, I'm way more comfortable learning a trail on flats, but once I get to know the tech sections, clips are sweet, unless it's really technical, then none of the shoes I've tried have the cleats far enough back to work.
I have 5.10 Freeriders, Diddies, Impact lows and Spitfires. Freeriders are my favorites for normal day-to-day MTB riding.
Steep&cheap always has them on close-out, and I have tiny girly feet so they always have my size, cheap 5.10s FTW!
I have 5.10 Freeriders, Diddies, Impact lows and Spitfires. Freeriders are my favorites for normal day-to-day MTB riding.
Steep&cheap always has them on close-out, and I have tiny girly feet so they always have my size, cheap 5.10s FTW!
How do you lose your pedals, aren't they usually right where you left them? At the end of the crank arm?
5.10 Diddies are your friend. Same great stealth rubber, but waterproof and warm. They also have a nice bonus safety toe for those of us who lack talent and regularly smash our feet on rocks and/or wear them while working on the shop. I like them better than my Vasques for all but the gnarliest snow related tasks.
I am the opposite. After years of roadie clipless, I tried clipless on my mountain bike and was too unskilled to not fall on my ass all the time. I went back to BMX style flats when I got my '00 Stinky (the start of doing stunts in the woods) and have ran them on every bike but my CX (took the toe clips off, left the sh!tty pedals).
I could see going back to clipless if I ever got a bike that might climb a little.
I am sure I have a few different pairs in my parts bucket in the garage (towards the bottom, I'm sure)<edit> I have yet to try the 5.10's, I am usually in a pair of Vans, but they keep changing to shoes to be more expensive and less supportive. My fav shoe has been the Rowley.
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As everyone said: 5-10. I dropped out of the clipless scene entirely when the kid & I started racing BMX and don't regret it. I use freeloaders for BMX and Impacts for trail riding.
I only clip in on the road bike.
5.10s are the ticket for sure. I've worn the Freeriders and various Impacts. The big difference is the Freerider is less stiff under-foot than the Impact, but (usually) less bulky and lighter. Years ago I had the Sam Hill shoe and it was my favorite, based on the Impact as I understand.
I use Straitline DeFacto pedals and wear Impacts and Freeriders.
5.10s are the ticket for sure. I've worn the Freeriders and various Impacts. The big difference is the Freerider is less stiff under-foot than the Impact, but (usually) less bulky and lighter. Years ago I had the Sam Hill shoe and it was my favorite, based on the Impact as I understand.
I use Straitline DeFacto pedals and wear Impacts and Freeriders.
I started out riding with regular skate shoes & flats but I found that the pins on pedals ate the crap out of the skate shoes after just a couple seasons of riding. I've been using the 5.10 Freeriders several year for all my riding (DH/XC/Enderpro) and the bottoms barely show any wear.
Clipped in on my roadie, commuter and trail bike, flats with 5.10 impacts on the DH bike.
I ride clipped on my Chromag Stylus, mainly because it's hard to control a hard tail on flats when the trails get really rowdy, but still run flats with 5.10s on my DH bike. Can't stand riding clips on the DH bike...tried it. Not really a huge fan of flats on my Chromag, but the pedaling efficiency and staying connected in the rough stuff is worth the hassle.
Searching for a clip stopped when I put 646 pedals on. Just slam in.
This said, I use flats in winter and year round on the Moonlander. Sometimes I use hiking boots, typically light running shoes. The cleats ate holes in one older pair of shoes, real uncomfortable. After reading this discussion, I might try a pair of Five Ten Freeriders.
Get a set of these if you can still find a pair:
They'll grip onto anything and can give you that cool tribal scarification look on your shins.
They'll grip onto anything and can give you that cool tribal scarification look on your shins.
Seen those Hutch pedals run for over 200! Here's Crupi repro:
http://www.jrbicycles.com/crupi-pro-round-cage-pedals
http://www.jrbicycles.com/crupi-pro-round-cage-pedals
Amazoned a pair of 5.10 Freeriders for almost nothing after all was said and done. Thanks to all for your inputs...looking forward to crashing and riding slow another way...