Clipless Pedals vs Flats - Bikepacking and Bike Touring

Ever wondered, what type of pedal you should use for bikepacking or bike touring? Are clipless pedals more efficient, are flat pedals more convenient, will I lose any control with platform pedals?
This video aims to answer those questions!
As a side note I want to again thank my loyal subscribers. As of this video's posting we have 191 subscribers, and while that constitutes a pretty minuscule youtube channel it still blows me away. I find it so rad that there's even that many people interested in what I am doing.
If you guys have any requests for videos please leave them in the comment section and I will try to get them done for you.

[@mrjack8849]

I’ve used only flat pedals for 9 years on my mtn/commuter bike and my road bike. After my first few long road rides, I saw too many people fall over because they couldn’t “unclip” from the clipless pedals in time. That deterred me from ever trying them. I use a solid trail running shoe that has a grippy and stiff Vibram sole on my flat pedal with with forks on that stick into the shoe. I also use cages on my road bike which does make a difference. I am definitely able to pull up on the pedal with cages without having to physically be attached to the pedal.

[@Corcioch]

5 10's and good flats are an excellent combination and give great grip. They are good for regular wear and are comfortable. You can cycle in regular shorts and t shirts too. No need to be dressed up like someone going on a stage of Le Tour de France.

[@Luke86Flyer]

You can ride with SPD and shorts/tshirt...whats the problem?

[@diana3599]

Good topic,. Answered many questions, provided new information . Thank you for doing this video.

[@johnhouston8297]

Thank you for this input. Getting a touring all around type bike soon and will be trying out flats with foot retention straps and a pair of chrome kicks. Love clipless on my track bike but would like to have more options during bikepacking/touring type missions. ✌🏼

[@Browning1ize]

Thanks for this interesting comparative, I think Im gonna stick to flat then!

[@blahblah2774]

Just found your channel.......enjoying the content👍🏻

[@tomsitzman3952]

I have been biking sense1970 to work to the store doing all kinds of errands around town as well as touring all over Canada and the States, always with toe clips. Three years ago, due to years of wear and tear on my body and feet I switched to spiked platform pedals. I ride with my Keen sandals which I also used with my toe clips, or in the winter with leather lace up Keens. The soft soles on Keen shoes really cling to the peddle. Once in a while it is like trying to pull my foot out of toe clips. The advantage of the platform peddle to the traditional steel flat peddle with spikes with toe clips is night and day around town and on the road.. I never saw any advantage for city biking or touring to use clipless peddles,. I seldom have carried a second pair of shoes while touring and a flat peddle just makes more sense than carrying two pair of shoes.

[@hoggvindog]

Thanks for this. Five Tens are a game changer and definitely makes sense if you are riding with a lot of weight and/or through terrain where you are on/off the bike. Cheers

[@bradsanders6954]

Ive started using Catalyst flat pedals due to ankle issues,now I love the things! Turns out Im a flat pedal guy after using SPD's since the first year they made them. Coming from a dirtbike background I really like riding the Mt bike and being able to dab a foot on a corner or when ever and snap my foot back on the pedal with out missing a beat. Dirtbike guys use their feet on gnarly stuff trail riding and cornering. If its rough and bike and body are bouncing around it doesnt always work stabbing a SPD cleat back into the pedal.

[@AWriterWandering]

I was wary of going clipless, just because of the learning curve. After seeing the studies I decided to invest in a decent pair of flats instead.

[@pedallinraw]

For sure agree,what works for you I guess! But you raise some valid points 🙂👍🏻

[@jerrys88]

Just want to mention, another good shoe option for flat pedals are Vans. They're designed for skateboarders, so the soles are gummy and stick super well to pinned flats. Five Ten's are great, but I switched to Vans because I have flat feet and the arch in the Five Tens were too pronounced for me. Pro Classic Vans are super comfortable and come in lots of cool styles. I wear them on and off my bike. Another advantage to flat pedals is that I can wear well-insulated hiking shoes in the winter.

[@automat8]

Agree with you. Thanks

[@nic12344]

Just use both! I have hybrid pedals, one side flat, one side clipless. This is the best of both worlds!

[@JWPanimation]

Agree, I ride in NYC and dual sided pedals are great. I only clip in when I have a decent stretch of of road where I don't have to stop to often. When first starting to ride clipped in from flat, it's good to remind yourself that you clipped before you stop. Nothing beats the terror of forgetting that you are clipped in after you stop..... thanks

[@SinnerSince1962]

Yeah, but I hate hunting for the correct side at each takeoff. Usually, the pedal rotates around and favors one side over the other. Naturally, it's usually the side I don't want. :(

[@dsego84]

It's a compromise, not the best of both worlds.

[@Erik-rp1hi]

Thank you, just bought a Specialized Levo to go out with my dirtbike riding friends and do not mountain bike. I'm a novice. They use clipless but they did say kids are using flats. I will go with flat since that is what I know.

[@BicycleTouringExplorer]

I am using the Sun Ringle zuzu platform pedals for Bike Touring with Gore Tex boots

[@robertlindsay7527]

Have been using Crank Bros egg beaters for years...clean out easily and have really enjoyed them. Yep!!Cant find soles stiff enough to give me the pressures I like!

[@TheOneGoodRoad]

You can get a hybird pedal? Flats on the one side, clips on the other. Quite ideal I suppose for touring :) For Road riding I like MTB spd pedals they feel more, natural & I can walk in them (lol) plus if I swap back it feels weird? :P but on very windy days or city or feel uncomfortable clipping in then you can swap the pedal to the flat side and continue :)

[@hartleymartin]

Something else to consider are the old-style toe-clips and straps. A couple of manufacturers even make special "Deep clips" specifically designed so that you can use any normal walking shoe, and they are fully adjustable. The only thing to consider is that you may need to look for wide pedals since most walking shoes are much wider than cycling shoes. For most of my commuter cycling, I use broad alloy BMX pedals which provide lots of grip on my regular shoes - I sometimes even wear my dress oxfords when I need to just hop off the bike at the end of the trip and quickly change into good trousers and a collared shirt.

[@mishafiguresitout557]

Thanks for this video! I'm about to go on my first big bike tour, and I thought I needed to buy new shoes and pedals for it. But I think I'm gonna steal my nice flat pedals off my mountain bike and use my five-ten shoes. I used to ride crank brothers (mtb) and speedplay (road) for many years racing, but for the past 3 years or so I have been teaching, which means a lot of on and off the bike, so I switched to flats... I tested my old mtb shoes and pedals yesterday and was like nooooo waaaay. There's feeling with the flat setup that the contact point is spread over a large area of my foot, vs the clipless feels like it's all right at the ball of my foot and way less supportive and stable. Interesting. Years ago I swore by them. Maybe it's best for people to just ride what they are used to?

[@mtbboy1993]

Definitely agree,stick with what works best. there are more pros than cons with flats. Five ten shoes are comfortable to walk in, but Impact shoes have a stiffer sole,but the Freerider, flex as much a normal shoe,but don't flex downwards, I recently saw on vital mtb Adidas has revealed the new Terrex shoe with Five Ten's stealth rubber. I have 2016 Impact & 2017 Five Ten Freerider EPS,which I have reviewed. I have not tried Shimano's shoes,I only use High tops. I will never use clip-less, its more dangerous.

[@WildOutdoorLiving]

I definitely agree

[@SinnerSince1962]

My biggest like for SPD pedals is safety. I can stand and hammer down on the pedals during steep climbs without worrying about my feet slipping off of them. That is, as long as I don't twist my ankles. Secondly, there is the advantage of being able to pull as well as push the pedals. It helps.

[@gordoncraig8238]

GCN did a test between clipless and flats and there was no 30% in it. They found clipless was only better in a sprint finish. That's no advantage for touring. You are carrying a big weight on a tour and clipless doesn't get over that. GCN also found carrying 5kg makes an easily measured difference all round and you often carry about 30kg.

[@headdeptofeyerolling7167]

Just thinking that to get the foot stick with platform that one gets with clipless, it requires "aggressive pedals and sticky shoe tread". the thing is that sticky in the shoe world often means soft. Soft tread does not last long when walking around. replacement may drive the price of the platform system up for touring purposes. Having said that, my husband and I rode the southern tier summer 2016 (Him on platform/Merrell glove and me on shimano clipless/keen cycling sandal). DH really liked the unfussy-ness of his system. the only thing I don't like about my MTB set up is that my cleats do still make noise when I'm walking around in the grocery/tienda.

[@Zinisster]

Hmm. I have an Avanti Mtb with 900km on it all with clipless. Yesterday i picked up my first ever road bike which is a Merida scultura. Now after 2 rides with a total of 60k, i find that i dont have enough movement with the clippess pedals and knee soreness. What would be the best flats for road bikes? I know its a newbie question, but hey i need to ask. Hence i wouldn’t be here investigating.

[@rickybosephus2036]

use your spd's, but loosten the tension to the max. That's what i did on tour. Tighten them up on your local rides. No need to buy more shit

[@danmitchell3758]

Any comment on clipless spd with touring and knee pain. Never had knee pain in my regular riding but wondered about the potential of developing a prob on a tour

[@automat8]

What about particulars of flat pedals? Best ones?

[@davidmoore9385]

Can pull and push with clipless pedals , more power by far

[@koukimonzta]

Clipless for XC , flats pedals for trail/ enduro/dh

[@meutmeuterer4081]

One point that is missing is how they affect your bosy. I started riding more actively and experiencing it band syndrome issues on my right knee. The reason for that seems to be that i inadvertently bend leg when i try to go harder (ride fast or go uphill). Fixing leg position by attaching it to the pedal was a suggested solution. I only bought hybrid pedals, so don't know if it will work. But definitely want to try this out...

[@bradsanders6954]

Make sure your seat isnt too low if IT band pain is happening.

[@chakibb9442]

Very useful video. My question is, if I put a strap around the flat pedal, don't you think I would have the best of both worlds?

[@WildOutdoorLiving]

Straps on flat pedals can be quite useful. From my perspective here are some pros and cons. Pros: More potential power in a sprint than flats. More comfortable shoes to walk around in than clipless. Better control on a fixie than flats. Cons: Slower to get in and out of than clipless and flats. (From my experience) Lacks the stiff sole of a clipless shoe so foot fatigue may be an issue. Less foot positions than flats. Shoe straps are quite popular for singlespeed and fixie riders and some track racers use straps with their clipless set up for ultimate power delivery. I haven’t seen efficiency tested on straps but I imagine since flats and clipless are equal straps will likely be the same.

[@AJMacDonaldJr]

Flats are where it's at! 😃

[@friarrodneyburnap4336]

I use flats on a Surly Troll...but on one side I have a velcro strap...that lets me pull and push...One the other side it's just a flat pedal....

[@selfactualizer2099]

the flat pedals with sharp bolts are best, and work best with proper mtb shoes, problem is these shoes are designed to get gripped by the bolts, mine are covered in holes in the bottom, i suggest a hybrid shoes with hybrid clip in system if your wallet allows it, i have hybrid shoes and i just toss in my flat pedals,

[@wilkbor]

A couple of thoughts: I'm surprised at the heat that this discussion can generate among cyclists. My advice to people is to try both systems and go with whichever works best. That way, you have the benefit of an opinion based on firsthand experience. Having tried both, I prefer clipless, but that's just me. Your mileage may vary.

[@jakefairley6993]

Well I guess I'm wrong, I do self supported tours with three bolt clips. I just pack my runners or sandals (depended on the weather) for when I'm in town or at the campsite. Haven't had an issues yet so I don't know why you were so quick to dismiss them as a viable option

[@WildOutdoorLiving]

I've ridden road clipless for years and still do. You certainly can do it, but there's no good reason for me to suggest that people go out and get road clipless shoes for touring. Road clipless is fine on the road, it's annoying to walk in and isn't any more efficient at touring sort of efforts than other types of pedals, but if it's what you have and enjoy then it's fine. It is the easiest system to fail in muddy conditions and since many tourers are exploring road, gravel and even single track conditions it just isn't a very good all around option. The most important thing is that you know your gear, how it works and how to fix it, as long as you've got that down you can tour with whatever you want.

[@bradsanders6954]

I think what he said was if you like what your using then use it.

[@mediumrick7667]

200 rpm??? I don't know anyone who pedals that fast. That aside, I think it's whatever you're used to. I come from a a road racing background where I was taught to pedal in circles many years ago. I've tried flats on my mountain bikes and my fat bike and I just couldn't pedal the same way I'm accustomed to pedaling. Maybe clipless pedals are more efficient, maybe they're not, I don't know. But to me it's more about feel. And flats certainly don't have the same feel when you're pedaling. I've got nothing against flats, in fact I can really appreciate their simplicity. But regardless of how sticky the shoe is, or how aggressive the pedal is, they're just not the same as far as I'm concerned.

[@WildOutdoorLiving]

Haha it's definitely not something you do very often or for very long, but if you can pedal at 200+ rpm 90 or even the occasional 150rpm is a piece of cake, to be fair though it wasn't my idea. It's something I picked up back when I was road racing and started getting into track (where the faster you pedal the faster you go). Pedals are definitely about feel and personal preference, but in the touring and bikepacking world convenience and versatility are just as high on the list for many. I feel like I can pedal just as smooth at even 100+rpm on the flats I described but not everyone will and that's okay. The real question is, are you more bothered by pedaling feel or wearing a less than ideal shoe off of the bike. Everyone needs to decide that for themselves and the trips they are taking.

[@ormsk954]

Flats everytime for me, but then I don't race road bikes.

[@stuartlarge9503]

Nah test on a treadmill have shown no gain with clipless, maybe be good for racing when it comes to acceleration and perhaps hill climbs, For touring? flats every time

[@WildOutdoorLiving]

I agree!

[@longbra]

When riding flats after clipless I noticed my foot coming off the pedal on the pull-up stroke during hill climbs. So yes, I pull up on the pedals during difficult climbs.

[@stuartlarge9503]

Not my pedals they have posts and i find it had to move feet to different positions

[@hanna9164]

well those just keep the foot from sliding. But when you're used to riding with clipless pedals, you might lift your foot off of the pedal as that is what you do when you 'pull up' on the upstroke. And those pins on flat pedals don't keep you from doing that. It is just something you have to get used to when transitioning frome one to the other

[@RobBastien]

IMO, if you do not intend to stand up and sprint and/or you are not a racer, clipless pedals are not needed. If looking like a racer is what you want, then go ahead.

[@EricS-xs3vk]

I thought the advantage of clipless was that your using more muscle groups when you're pushing and pulling through the pedal rotation. You can't PULL at all on flats leaving a whole muscle group doing nothing.

[@WildOutdoorLiving]

The only thing you can't do on flats is pull directly upwards. In testing basically no one actually pulls up on their clipless pedals on a steady state effort like you would see in touring. You can pull across the bottom on both systems though and so as long as you have solid pedaling technique you can get good results with both. It's also important to note that you don't just use your quads in pushing down, you must also use your hamstrings, glutes, calf muscles etc. There are a few knee flexors that get utilized primarily in the pull up but it's not like that entire group isn't being utilized in the rest of the rotation.

[@WildOutdoorLiving]

Of course this isn't to say that there is no advantage to clipless ever but in a touring environment flats certainly aren't at a major disadvantage.

[@brandonpfeiffer1]

Except on climbs and accelerating from a stopped position (non steady state). For me, those are the two situations where clipless are really preferable.

[@bigredsoutdooradventures207]

If there is a clip how are they clipless?

[@WildOutdoorLiving]

dennis davis-mayer Older set ups clipped down on your shoes with a physical toe cage and strap with an actual buckle some times referred to as a clip. Clipless pedals eliminated all of that. The terminology is a bit funny but that's where it comes from.

[@natelove187]

It’s about how smooth the pedal bearing are

[@BrianMax]

I still like toe clips.

[@SinnerSince1962]

You are a sick man. I had one of my worst accidents trying to get out of toe clips one time.

[@Veep_The_Goblin_Hermit]

Hybrid pedals