Switching From CLIPLESS to FLATS Pedals at the Bike Park

[@jvoytilla]

Hi! I am the 7 year old who did pipeline and the two jumps after it. I also did the patio drop at the end. I love your videos!

[@maxrez74]

My brother is Sky from the video

[@erinhope2115]

Oh dang bro

[@doubletrackdodger2512]

I’m that guy from Colorado who was not on that video in that video

[@RonnRider]

You're a little legend!!!!

[@rafe7678]

And I'm gonna win megavalanche

[@ToogyHowser]

The Phantom Drop (Patio Drop) is so sketchy!! I nose dived hard when I tried it, somehow survived haha. Great job on the jumps and hitting some features I am looking forward to hitting next time I'm there!

[@calivino88]

Love the story telling between your wife and your channel. Its radddd

[@tacticalpotato5665]

you made the right choice switching to flats, i used to ride clips too but when i got a new full squish i rode it with the flats that are on it and i loved it. jumping is so enjoyable on flats and you ride the bike better because you don’t trust the clips to pull up on jumps and you need to take better lines to keep your feet planted on the pedals, with clips they stayed on through everything and you will unweight the rear which makes it really easy to get bucked.

[@lokmtb8503]

Cool to see you switching to flats to become a better rider. You're right how it's easy to learn some bad habits while riding clip less. Stick with the flats and you're going to see some awesome improvement in your riding game. Honestly I feel like your jumping technique was looking more solid today than most of your videos. Being able to build skills that will make you more consistent with jumps will have you feeling more confident and less sketchy even when you're back in clip less.

[@greg1083]

Went to flats about six years ago. I don't see myself going back to clipless ,except for the gravel bike, any time soon. Great vid. Thanks!

[@Wizler71]

Pump down into your suspension as you're going into the jump's transition. Then the bike will push up into you as you pop off the lip. I rode clips for 10 years and switched 3 years ago out of curiosity. It was weird at first--I couldn't jump or bunny hop anymore! I stuck with it because I wanted to learn better technique and it paid off. I do think that clips are nice for XC/trails and especially climbing.

[@jakebeaudrie]

I love your videos. This one especially. You made great use of the music between the jumpline at first and then the jump line with the groms.

[@b.s.adventures9421]

Your a good rider eric. You’ll get it. I switched a few years back. Like the flats more. Personal preference.

[@gogovitch66]

bravo! Good decision! I already saw some progress! Keep it up and thx for the vid 🤙

[@redrover9988]

Eric, I recently tried flat pedals after years of nuke proof Shimano SPD 747's. I was amazed at how many times I tried to twist my right foot to unlock from the flats when stopping. I will figured it out. Nice job riding your flats.

[@RobbisTV]

You can see a huge progression from the first few runs to the last run. Good job! Keep it up. Cheers from Ontario. YEEEEWW! :D \m/

[@RyanRidesPGH]

I went through this switch this season. Your video shows the progression perfectly!

[@loominal2009]

BKXC and Skills with Phill all use this bike park ALOT in their videos. It seems to be a popular park. Glad you had a great time!

[@phantomrider86]

Hi Eric, I had been riding clipless pedals for about 17 years and made the switch back to flats. I am also using Pedaling Innovations Catalyst pedal, which uses a more central foot placement. I have to say, I really love the way they feel much more stable, more secure and more power with this foot placement. I have no affiliation with P.I., just a happy customer, but maybe you should look into this pedal and see it may help.

[@nvr2old700]

Nice Eric! While I ride clipless on the road, flats for me on the MTB as I come from an MX background. And you got it, let your legs absorb some of the terrain and preload the suspension on the face of the jumps helps tremendously. Great vid and commentary as always!!

[@KestrelYI]

Good stuff! Looks like a great bike park.

[@Adventures_with_Sog]

Welcome back to the dark side, buddy. *Flatties for the win 🤙

[@805mctrailrider8]

YEW

[@joshualangenhoven3548]

I got my first serious enduro bike and decided to make the switch. Ahh it's tough, especially climbing and distance in jumps. I feel your pain bro, all the best.

[@stevethesmazsmathers9112]

I've been considering trying out flats but just havent made the leap yet. I've been riding clipped in for over 30 years! Good stuff and I'll be looking forward to see how the switch goes for you.

[@wizerats]

Great vid. I live a couple of hours from there. I liked your progression on the jumps. Enjoy your videos. You guys should make a video about being a couple in a van. I know it's not all good times. I tell my wife about you guys. Keep it up. And stay safe.

[@FlowFinderUSA]

There's a lot more to MC. Albeit most of it is techy stuff. However, there is a fun jumpline on the back side called "Tempest" which is not as intense as Dominion but a step up from Breakout. My riding skills have really improved from my visits here.

[@heididietzman6670]

Nice video! Good luck with flat pedals!

[@eykonabike6196]

I came to MTBing from road so I've always been more comfortable on clips and I've learned to mtb on clips for 3 years now. I'm just starting to get into bigger jumps and features and riding at the local bike park for the first time this year. I didn't know that flats affected the way you jump that much, maybe next year I should try flats out for a bit to check it out.

[@lokmtb8503]

Yeah with clipless people frequently use their feet to pull their bike up to "get air" when jumping instead of utilizing a good stomp, pull, extend that actually launches them and their bike higher into the air.

[@drod519]

Haha, you should try switching to a hardtail for a few months.

[@gregorypatzelt6964]

I grew up 5 mins from mountain Creek. It's the best downhill park near NYC and has a ton of features.

[@RealMJSr]

When I switched to MTB from Road, I decided to go flats. I felt like clips are for pedaling efficiency and keeping locked in for long endurance. My riding in MTB is more enduro/DH and I really wanted to be able to disconnect on bails easily! 🤘

[@RonnRider]

My exact story! Just like having the freedom to try different things (wheelies, Manuals), or just being able to bail out if I get into trouble in the air, etc.

[@LuisGonzalez-nx2pn]

Very cool video, Eric. I'm glad that you are trying flat pedals to improve your riding. I only ride flat pedals and maybe I will try clip-less someday to experience the difference; but for now I like to have the body-bike separation in order to bail out if required... 🤣 Stay gnarly! 🤘😎

[@805mctrailrider8]

Flats are so fun. Nice

[@Jon-tg1js]

0:00 his shoe blends into the road

[@Jon-tg1js]

Yea

[@MTBZenMaster]

Mt Creek is fantastic. I just happened to put out my versions of a recent visit. So Rad!👍🏽I need to put my flats back on. I want to work on my technique too. Getting buck is no fun.

[@richr7604]

Good video Eric, I still use toe clips sometimes so I feel your pain..

[@nickkautzman9711]

I to have joined the ranks of those giving flatties a try. It's like learning how to ride a bike again, bunny hop - pitiful, confidence sending jumps - lacking, speed on steep tech - granny level, LOVE of Mtb - still cranked up to 11. One of the things I love about Eric's vids is that he don't do every feature, as an older dude with lots of experience crashing and burning, I to some times roll up on a feature and decide the pain (for not making it) ain't going to be worth the gain.

[@nicholasvoth9262]

Jumping looked much better already!

[@rofelwope3356]

Practicing your Bunny hops will help a lot on learning how to ride Flats

[@MTBnorcal88]

That looks like an awesome bike park! I love flat pedals and just stick with them so I can free ride 👍😎

[@connoroneill5682]

Love the video and you seem to be doing great with flats. I was curious, did u ever venture to the back of the mountain to trails like outlaw, Busch wack, tempest. Outlaw is a super fun berm trail and tempest is a fast flow trail with a newly added lower section. If you didn’t try it this time next time you need to try it.

[@yannickschepers1511]

Liked the video. I ride flats I just feel trapped riding clips. It's oke for XC rides but on tech and jumps I want to feel free to move around. The biggest downside in regards to flats is climbing the fire roads or even the tech climbs you are missing out on 50% power by not being able to pull the pedal. 🤔

[@MTBGarage]

I missed you when you were in my home trail! Did you ride any of the black tech on the backside of the mountain? Would be curious how it compares to other places, its a minefield of rocks! I've been going back and forth between pedals as well, and I can still get bucked on flats and steep jumps! lol

[@v0ss29]

I just couldn't😂 I am soooo used to clipless

[@kenny_kaos]

This is why I'm apprehensive to switch/try flat pedals since I've learned and ridden almost exclusively on the dirt with clipless pedals, good for you to try though!

[@spikeeee1]

100k congrats

[@pkundrat]

Great video. If you get used to dropped heels and constant foot pressure after stomping, you dont need to bend your legs anymore.

[@kencycles3655]

you know what they say, flat pedals win medals 🤣... but really, I noticed a huge improvement in my corning, jumps and overall bike control after switching. It did take a few months but was worth it. No need to go back, I'm even planning to do longer marathon rides on flats.

[@amargnwalkr]

I saw you guys there, but didn't want to yell across the line. I love that place!

[@markkligerman6861]

I just switched to flats for the first time in seven years! Ugh! It is very different. I don't ride park, I just ride trails. I miss getting to power earlier in the stroke and it's weird to have your feet bounce in the knar. I do like the stability in the corners and it feels like it's easier to get a wider stance on the bike. It's just two rides now and I think I'll adjust just fine.

[@ronhalfman4158]

Another great video. Are you going to go to Ray's while you are on this side of the states?

[@zictayprod5561]

Hello! Nice video ! May you share your gopro setting ? They are pretty dope !! Thanks !

[@FishstixTv]

I raced bmx for years grew up on flats then raced only on clips I would never clip ride a mtn bike unless I was in a no jumping down hill race 🤙🏻

[@Ironsights85]

get crank brothers stomp pedals, i have them and the exact same shoes your wearing, you stay glued in place!

[@Wannaridebikes]

I think ya did pretty good with the flats.

[@alexandertheroot]

For flats try catalyst pedals, they are extremely long for great support and not wide so less pedal strikes

[@jaytothesun99]

What kind of shoes are you using for flats? I’m new to mtbing and I’ve got flats with some trail hiking shoes but the bottoms are so uneven I think I need some real mtb shoes, but have no idea what to look for.

[@sixgunsal81]

I'm a clip rider myself but my buddy rides flats. Says a skateboarding shoe works well. Maybe look for cheap soft rubber bottoms. Maybe start at Walmart look for a $15 pair of throwaway shoes then upgrade to a set of flat riding shoes.

[@alanbecker5930]

I do cyclocross and mtb. I ride clipless on my cross bike but definitely flats for life on mtb

[@davidlarochelle1618]

Now we can see pop the jumps.

[@BikeLifewithRob]

Fun on flats, I hit my dirt jumper with flats!

[@taffycymroukmtb9073]

Great Stuff Eric me more of a Flat pedals rider 🚴😉🤟🤟

[@carsonpearce5980]

Hey BCpov, do you know where you are going next? I ride at a park in Virginia called Bryce and was wondering if you were gonna stop by there. Not to be annoying or anything, I just thought it would be cool to meet you and Yuka. Its a small park but in my opinion very fun.

[@Wizler71]

Sounds like a nice park. ;-)

[@carsonpearce5980]

Lol yeah. But seriously, It’s lift access and it has some good flow. You should check it out. Doesn’t have anything huge like highland or mountain creek but it’s fun riding for sure. Also the lift lines are fast.

[@MXD29]

It’s a shame that you passed through MA and didn’t ride Lynn Woods. Based on your vids, I think you would have loved it.

[@joshuabakin3624]

What is the name of that song at the end? Starts at 9:25.

[@lostman65]

i tried flats a couple times recently. i hated them my feet keep feeling like i were going to fall off. i finally realized that i had my feet in the wrong position. with clipless pedals you want the ball of your foot over the pedal axel. with flats you want the arch over the pedal axel.

[@taiteshredthegnarandeataca8022]

Are you making a highland vid

[@davids.p.9569]

I swith to flats 2 weeks ago ufter 20 years of clipless pedals. I ve done it for the same reason you did. I still feel awkard. How is your ride now? Did you feel better riding flats now?

[@alexiadroz]

I just switched to flats 2 rides ago... never ridden flats before, it's been super frustrating

[@TMAN882]

I switched too and wont look back. It takes time to get used to them.

[@RonnRider]

Agreed!!!

[@Guineson]

haha i am the total opposite, i cant stand the flow trails at Creek. Brake bumps everywhere and its just not my style of riding. i much more prefer all the tech trails and there are plenty of them. i rather stumble or walk a section of tech then ride the flow / jump lines. its cool to see you hitting up so much on the North East.

[@faultlinegravel]

Nothing wrong with self preservation. I wish i was practicing that more in august when i broke my collar bone taking me off the bike for 5 months.

[@JustJake77]

Never have run anything but flats for 40 years. Anytime I clip in I feel unsafe. Flats for life!

[@tommydelgado2594]

I switch between both but prefer clips. Is it me or did some of those jumps look like they had a high kicker at the lip? I’ve ridden a lot of parks that don’t get the transition right and you end up getting bucked if your speed isn’t just right.

[@Azazel518]

Flat pedals win medals 😜

[@mtbclassic2690]

What model USWE pack do you ride with?

[@jny78]

Skipped school to ride! I miss being a kid

[@tmwei396]

Mountain Creek is my local bike park. Did your wife enjoy the Hog Burger at the Bier Garten?

[@billycushion9266]

I use clipless pedals on my gravel bike but thinking about changing to flats because of pain in my right foot which I broke a year and a half ago

[@mblades14]

Those look like OneUp pedals. Are you sure you want to use a convex pedal? Most are concave. If you're experimenting grab some Raceface Chesters or DMR V12s. Once you love flats Chromags are the best!

[@tomkot5700]

R u going to ct

[@makuusil]

Are those flats raceface chesters

[@jamiemchugh2500]

100,000 subs 🤘

[@deets29mtb53]

Pipeline drop is easier and smother than phantom deck drop! Did you see cabin drop? And I switched to clips this year!

[@TrailPOV]

I've only ever run clips with XC and would feel weird riding DH on clips.....interesting to hear how flats are unnerving for others

[@arneilson4450]

I am terrified of switching back to flats. The consequences of falling over when not moving when clipped in are a lot less than the consequences of my feet coming off the pedals going over a big jump! But part of me wants to improve my technique. We'll see.

[@8664antonio]

nice!!

[@buraburayama6883]

I recently got some clipless from a friend and was thinking about making the change in the opposite direction. But maybe I should stay on flats until I properly learned how to clear jumps.

[@805mctrailrider8]

Yeah that is a good idea. I want to do the same.

[@brianscott3933]

Hi BCpov I have clipless peddles and there no bad and I just a little harder to lift you back wheel but there pretty good I us clipless

[@jimborghini2761]

Did you hit Phantom Drop?

[@WipUDiPu]

nice!

[@alfiebockemuhl4549]

My dad broke his foot at 3:43 😂

[@S.Mallard]

"you like that feeling?" 😭 By the way Eric I always wondered where was your accent from? French?

[@EatingBarkWithMarc]

Only took you a day to figure it out. Guillaume will be so happy ;)

[@ET-ns5wz]

Take two clicks off rebound front and rear. Your feet will feel more planted 👍

[@dillonbhutani3492]

Sky is a big chemma cheese head. "Yeah I sent it a little far" sky me brother

[@cparm08]

I saw that kid having a photo shoot at the top of the mountain

[@dylancondell9459]

The park closed a month ago I’m a local

[@pjcrotty1401]

Have you sold your house or are you just staying in the van while your on your road trip

[@billysbikes8671]

I love your channel but i hope it will stop you bailing at the top of techy stuff. You quite often get to the start of a feature and clip out its really frustrating to watch as i know you can do it. Maybe if you dont need to clip out and back in again you can just put your foot back on and ride without backing up an starting again.

[@ejbiq3700]

Do something with that suspension. It sounds horrible.

[@backpackjordan8372]

How bad is crashing with clipless? Does anyone has some experience?

[@MTBZenMaster]

All cashing is bad😂😂 but seriously, you learn to unclip. I ride park and race in clips.🤙🏽

[@Happy_Biker]

Eric has a weird crash in one of his ews stages videos, and his leg is trapped, can't unclip, can't get untangled from the bike and needs help from a race proctor- it is painful to watch.

[@johnnyutah6056]

Its fine just use Crank Brothers

[@backpackjordan8372]

@@Happy_Biker where can i find the video?

[@eastonwww5700]

back when you actually had sponsers

[@Wannaridebikes]

A fiend of mine was teaching his kid how to be faster with a drone following him and now this kid is pretty good on speed and janky and sketchy thing and he’s only 12.

[@JB50713]

I’m doing the opposite next season. Going back to clipless from platform pedals. Way more control.

[@wordreet]

I switched to, . . . Oh, I''ve never used any type of clipped pedal in my life. I did try toe clips the one time about 50 years ago and hated them. Flatties on my fattie right now!!!