RidingAgain Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 So yesterday I put on a set of proper flat pedals with the studs. I took it for a quick ride wearing my Walmart work boots... Wow... Those studs really hold the sole. Not sure if it's the type of rubber compound on the Walmart work boots (kind of a soft rubber) but I was quite surprised that I had to consciously lift my foot up to get off the pedal. Now I'm really interested to see how mtb specific shoes feel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 That was my exact reaction as well with MTB specific shoes. I had to think more about taking my feet off the pedals with flats than I do with my SPDs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidingAgain Posted March 18, 2020 Author Share Posted March 18, 2020 1 hour ago, AntonioGG said: That was my exact reaction as well with MTB specific shoes. I had to think more about taking my feet off the pedals with flats than I do with my SPDs. I know you've spoken about it before, but remind me... Did you stick with flats or are you back to SPDs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 15 minutes ago, RidingAgain said: I know you've spoken about it before, but remind me... Did you stick with flats or are you back to SPDs? I only got flats for practicing things like wheelies, manuals, and other such things. I don't plan on riding them on trails. I still ride SPDs on the trail and I don't go down any tricky stuff unless I'm fully clipped in. I may get a cheap dirtjumper, or trials bike, or BMX bike to do all the practicing. I don't see myself changing pedals that often. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natas1321 Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 I've only ridden with flats so they are all I know but I do have a set of oneup components flats that really hold shoes compared to others that I have tried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack_turtle Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 You might find that the cheapie shoes you're on now won't last long. The pedals grip just enough that the rubber will rip rather than slip. This is why people pay top dollar for shoes like Five Tens. Most sneakers shred to ribbons after a few rides. I have been on some Issi plastic pedals for a few weeks. They feel fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 5 minutes ago, mack_turtle said: You might find that the cheapie shoes you're on now won't last long. The pedals grip just enough that the rubber will rip rather than slip. This is why people pay top dollar for shoes like Five Tens. Most sneakers shred to ribbons after a few rides. I have been on some Issi plastic pedals for a few weeks. They feel fantastic! I've got a set of five tens and some pedals with studs. I can't imagine even the five tens lasting that long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack_turtle Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 2 minutes ago, AntonioGG said: I've got a set of five tens and some pedals with studs. I can't imagine even the five tens lasting that long. I somehow found a pair of Freeriders at a thrift store, used, for under ten bucks. I've been riding them consistently for over a year and they have a few chunks taken out. I'll get another year out of them. Previously I bought some Giro Jackets and they lasted about ten rides and just disintegrated. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheX Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 These are a little over a year old, and still going strong. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 I run DMR Vaults with Ride concepts Livewires. I really like the Livewires and they're holding up well. They fit really good and are super comfortable. Was on Freerider VXI's but needed something to replace my freeriders and decided not to go with 5-10 due to too many reports of the newer Addidas ones not being as durable as the pre Addidas era and the fact that they cost somewhere around $150. Got the Ride Concepts from Jenson with a 20% off coupon, only cost $80 delivered. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack_turtle Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 that's good to know. shoes that cost more than $100 is a hard pill for me to swallow. The most I have ever paid as $90 for my Xeros and I have had to send two pairs back due to manufacturing defects. otherwise, I buy all my sneakers off-season and make them last a few YEARS. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockshins Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 I have been riding flats again. Using VP Harrier pedals because I have huge feet and these have some of the biggest contact patch. Five Ten Freeriders for me as well. Have tried almost every iteration of 510’s and these have the best pedal feel (IMHO). 510’s have been going downhill in quality well before the adidas thing but their rubber is perfect. It wears down but just has such awesome grip. I am limited in shoe choices as not many brands make larger shoes. Would love to try Ride Concepts or some of the other new shoe companies, but they generally stop at size 13. I switch between clips and flats but really enjoy the flats. Clips make me faster, I can handle rocks gardens more fluidly and the ability to fully control the rear wheel in awkward situations is a great advantage. Flats are just so fun and bring out the hooligan riding style. Brings me back to the beginnings of learning how to ride and figuring out bunnyhops. More of a fun skateboard feel. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidingAgain Posted March 19, 2020 Author Share Posted March 19, 2020 This seems to contradict the common thought... That flats will make you more confident riding through things like rock gardens. I have really only considered flats because of wanting to have a quicker way to get my feet off the pedals when attempting more difficult sections of trail... Especially things like more gnarly rock gardens and uphill ledges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack_turtle Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 (edited) uphill ledges and slow tech is where flat shine for me. I charge at that stuff with way more confidence now because I know how much easier it is to bail. I've fallen backwards off ledges a few times during my decade of riding clipped in with disastrous results. it doesn't happen any more. that said, I need to try the clipless again to see how it compares. I ride my CX bike on un-gnarly terrain clipped in, but that's a different animal. Edited March 19, 2020 by mack_turtle 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sluggo Posted March 20, 2020 Share Posted March 20, 2020 23 hours ago, TheX said: These are a little over a year old, and still going strong. not to be mistaken for cankles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheX Posted March 20, 2020 Share Posted March 20, 2020 12 minutes ago, Sluggo said: not to be mistaken for cankles LOL, I'm 6'1" and 175. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sluggo Posted March 20, 2020 Share Posted March 20, 2020 white socks tend to have a slimming effect 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted March 20, 2020 Share Posted March 20, 2020 TheX, you need to get some of these if you haven't already. I started buying them for cycling, now that's all I wear. Only the Merino kind year round. https://swiftwick.com 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree Magnet Posted March 20, 2020 Share Posted March 20, 2020 If we're going to go into sock mode, I'm going to throw a couple of contenders. Rule #1 with socks, don't think about how much they cost. Think about how a crappy pair of socks can ruin your ride and render all the other money you spent on the bike, etc. a complete waste. I used to think that expensive socks were stupid but now I'm older and wiser and recognize that you put your money where it matters. Socks matter. Seats matter. Valve stems? Maybe not so much. Smartwool - These are great in all conditions. The wool pulls the sweat from your feet in the summer and keeps them warm in the winter. My only beef is that they really like to pick up that beggars lice and stickers and once they start to fall apart, they're toast. Darn tough - I love these like Smartwool but they don't seem to have as big of a problem with stickers. Drymaxx - These are my wife's favorite (trail runner). These are dual layer where the inner layer is hydrophobic. Again, keeps your feet dry. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidingAgain Posted March 20, 2020 Author Share Posted March 20, 2020 14 hours ago, Sluggo said: not to be mistaken for cankles See... I left it alone. I thought about it... But I left it alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidingAgain Posted March 20, 2020 Author Share Posted March 20, 2020 12 hours ago, AntonioGG said: TheX, you need to get some of these if you haven't already. I started buying them for cycling, now that's all I wear. Only the Merino kind year round. https://swiftwick.com Wool tends to be best for me, even in hot weather. If you've used wool, how do these compare? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheX Posted March 20, 2020 Share Posted March 20, 2020 LOL, @ socks. That pic was from Colorado Bend, on a day when I forgot my bike bag of stuff. This pic is my bike sock reserve, it doesn't include the 20 pairs that I have in the truck in my gear bag. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notyal Posted March 20, 2020 Share Posted March 20, 2020 2 hours ago, RidingAgain said: See... I left it alone. I thought about it... But I left it alone. Commenting on how you didn't comment on it, is commenting on it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheX Posted March 20, 2020 Share Posted March 20, 2020 Just now, notyal said: Commenting on how you didn't comment on it, is commenting on it. He's an real-life asshole, he can't help it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidingAgain Posted March 20, 2020 Author Share Posted March 20, 2020 1 hour ago, notyal said: Commenting on how you didn't comment on it, is commenting on it. Yep. But positively indirectly. I’m good with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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