What’s The Best Shoe For Your MTB Riding? | Clips Vs Flats

[@gmbn]

We know there are some strong opinions out there, so let us know below - do you ride flat pedals or clipless pedals? And do you call them Clips, Clipless, SPDs, or something else?!

[@SaltySender]

Flat... if i want to bail quick i can... grew up no suspension tennis shoes and flip flops down creek trails and through the woods.

[@tlheingrunst]

Spd's

[@gr-zj1yp]

Flats! I still use inner tubes too however 😅

[@saddleweary2777]

Both, and I call them clipless to preserve history. And I ride clips on a 85 model road bike

[@tlheingrunst]

@@gr-zj1yp still using tunes as well! Lol

[@L0G1C4LLY]

I just can't stop thinking about how weird it must be to hold one half of the conversation alone and then afterwards film the other part...

[@KP-ol3tc]

This is Blake in his shed when the camera is off too lol

[@elizabethpoley6882]

Heck, I'd like to know how they edit it like that.

[@TeftStormblessed]

GMBN actually cloned Blake for these segments.

[@Saftkeur]

They’re two separate Blakes, why else would they be riding two entirely separate bikes? If it was just one they could have simply swapped the pedals around. GMBN keeps a shed full of Blakes for segments like these (and for when he gets a bit too much steeze on a ride and they lose one)

[@alc2347]

I hope he gets paid double :D

[@billblake4029]

Blake, that was an extremely well done episode. Your own efforts along with the production crew are greatly appreciated.

[@Evertb1]

The best pedals are the pedals you like, enjoy and you're comfortable with. I have used clips and flats. Technically the clips were no problem as I am pretty comfortable with them. But I stick to flats because I just love them. I ride XC and Enduro and I never worry if I could maybe win a couple of seconds here and there by using clips. I just enjoy my rides and am happy with my pedal choice. I receive comments every now and then from other riders that clips would be better. I just smile and answer "not for me".

[@ProfeTa6]

I ran clipless for a long time (mostly xc) and used flats when I switched up to enduro style riding and now I'm back to clipless. I feel clipless gives you more control over the bike and makes you feel more connected but it gives you a few bad habits on more technical terrain. Basically flats were very important for me to build up proper technique but after a while I wanted to go back to clipless to get that extra control. Might use flats every once in a while if I want to work on my skills.

[@Celeon999A]

In my book, clips work perfectly for as long as everything goes according to plan. But i learned the hard way that if things suddenly go wrong and you just have a split second to get a foot on the ground to prevent a crash, or to just jump off the bike for that matter, it might be that one or even both clips just wont let you do that. At least not in the time you have.

[@benjamimnande442]

Fully agree

[@rewernan]

That, and that they are awful in the mud

[@harcormor]

10:08 that white car popping out of nowhere was kinda funny.

[@stug45]

Both.... always loved flats and smashed trails on my hardtail. Just got an FS and trying flats out while i ger used to it and finding them mega dor jumping and technical climbs (although the only climb has actually been a stair set!)

[@cmmoney]

It's amazing the amount of clips vs flats videos GMBN is able to squeeze out. I count at least 10

[@timothyobrien5367]

Great video! I use pedals that are flat on one side, SPD on the other, best of both worlds for my hardtail

[@derrickquintal]

I genuinely wish there were multiple Blakes in this universe. We need that!!!

[@fatbikeriderforever]

I actually own both flat and clipless in one! All the efficiency of a clip, but all the safety of bailing out on gnarly downhill which thankfully hasn't happened. Both of best worlds.

[@raphaelwolff8205]

Cheers Blake that was entertaining as always,keep up the great work GMBN.

[@tooclaws]

Flats as the Army taught me always have a plan B if Things get messed up I like to eject and not be connected to the bike's lead. Unless I was competing. :) Old 53 dude

[@hayleypardinan]

No one can beat Blake in terms of being energetic, makes you wanna ride your bike when you don't feel like

[@briw4647]

Flats. Always used them from my younger years till now. I prefer the feeling of being able to move my feet. Plus, I damaged my left leg very badly and the foot has ever been straight since

[@VictorElGreco]

Just a personal opinion, based on my sense of security: If the terrain is *rough*, I feel more connected clipped in. If the terrain is *loose*, I feel more at ease on flat pedals.

[@nilsschear1095]

I’m primarily a downhill rider. I switched to clipless because I got tired of my foot shifting on the pedal or falling off in the rough stuff. I’d have gouges in my calves and shins all summer with flats. When I’m clipped in my foot never moves and is always in the right position no matter how rough it gets. But don’t listen to me, almost all the top downhill pros are clipped in. One reason is just like he mentioned in the video, you don’t have to drop your heels so you can have a more forward attack position, allowing you to go faster. As far as being able to put your foot down? Clipless pedals are tunable, I have mine set so the slightest twist will release them. I can dab as fast as any flat pedal rider and I’ve never had a problem getting out in a crash.

[@arekb5951]

Same, you just have to remember that if you want to move your foot away from the pedal you just have to relax it, so that when you're going for a dab the unclip motion will generate itself as you move your leg towards the ground.

[@jessicagray5873]

This was beautifully filmed and edited. Always love the Blake clone videos.

[@CoachLo3]

I ride Funn Mambas with an SPD on one side and a flat on the other. I get the best of both worlds on my rides. Highly recommend!

[@Seppster58]

Watching Blake vs Blake reminds me of Spy vs Spy. Love these videos!!

[@Dannyjones1]

I'll always be a flats man. A grippy shoe just works no matter the terrain.

[@baloghlcb]

Flats for me, I'm too clumsy and don't trust myself clipped in. I have definitely gotten some chuckles seeing roadies not being able to unclip at stop lights and just fall over 😅. After making sure they were ok of course.

[@julianw5692]

I just got clipless shoes and pedals. I'm excited to try them out.

[@rossgirven5163]

7:55 the synchronised sway on engaging and disengaging… 😂 magic 🪄

[@cbarfatani]

I raced bmx in the 90s with clips. Now with just MTB riding it’s all flats, mostly because I’m a wheelie addict now.

[@andrewzabinski2205]

Informative, entertaining and good editing.

[@TeftStormblessed]

I rock Raceface Chester pedals with Five Ten Freerider Pro shoes and my feet never leave the pedals unless I'm crashing.

[@TheLp8840]

So do I. Ride clipless until I got a modern bike. Race Face and Free riders almost as good.

[@johngreen787]

Yet another great video, well done dudes, 🤘👍👏

[@jesuisjamaiscontent]

I've been using clipless for so many years that putting my foot down is no problem at all. Just adjust the clip tension so enable jumps and easy disengaging.

[@georgebeare8883]

I was a roadie for decades before I began mountain biking so being clipped in was normal to me. However, on the trails, I am 100% a DMR Vault and five ten rider. Early on, I rode with spd because that was what I was used to but I find I have no knee issues on flats and I am faster too. On an 18km loop in a local mountain trail that is used for XC racing, I have never cracked the hour in spds but I always do on flats in the dry. To me, the feel I get through my feet on flats allows me to push harder in sketchy bits and as for power transfer, enough tests have proven flats are not a disadvantage due to the better natural recruitment of major muscle groups that a mid foot position encourages. Even a previous roadie GMBN test a few years back proved this.

[@bjorne46]

I ride both. Flats when I want to get a bit more security of being able to put a foot down fast. Clips when I'm cross country riding. Also, the video doesn't talk about being able to pull with clips, which helps with putting power down, and using other muscles.

[@nilshilliard7576]

I tried clipless a year ago and have been using them since, i feel like i can be a bit more wild and crazy with the bike when on clipless. But i do switch to flats when doing skills at parking lot.

[@nolanwolf1828]

Forgot the "includes paid promotion" with those ads

[@stephaneducroquet2617]

I use Giant Pinner Elite flat pedals with Fiveten Trailcross LT, super happy with it for my use (mix of XC / technical trails).

[@martinpiek3130]

Blake vs Blake, always fun to watch. I love it!👍🏼

[@JaydenHaas-xp2db]

I love flats for trying new stuff or just messing around 😊 but the clips I like for racing or long climbs it just makes it easier although love seeing comparing of them

[@tlheingrunst]

Have to have more of your twin on the show Blake! Awesome lol

[@gmbn]

😂 We don't know if we can handle that level of craziness that often!

[@tlheingrunst]

@@gmbn be well worth it! for the entertainment value.

[@Paganiproductions84]

I ride xc and i ride with flat pedals and with giro flat pedals shoes and i love speed

[@shawnpritchard366]

A subtle advertisement for Shimano...

[@kathleendo2389]

Best edit yet!!

[@mybadvideos]

I go back and forth usually but this season almost exclusively on flats so far. Atlas v2/Aeffect v1/Chester with RC Powerline.

[@topheavy7616]

It’s about time someone tackled this subject.

[@reybelo]

I always use flat, on MTB and Road bike. In Brazil, those who ride with a clipless pedal we said to be "Clipado" (cliped)

[@willelliott5052]

Either you have a twin who is just as entertaining as you, or that was a great mastery of video production.

[@larsmtb0616]

I'm riding clipless pedals on my enduro for about a year now and I switched because I recognized in Bikepark Leogang that I often slipped away from my flat pedals while riding enduro/downhill trails. So for gnarly stuff clipless pedals are better but flats are still enough. For me clipless pedals are the better option for my riding style. I'm still riding flats on my dirt jump because it would be nuts not to haha.

[@Thealchemist233]

What a beautiful place. Where is this (probably somewhere in the alps)?

[@M.deHout]

I wonder if you tested the difference between flats and clipless or the efficiency between a coil and air shock :)?

[@danieljedrzejczak7631]

7:13 Left Blake hand disappeared 😮

[@brettjohnson9453]

Payroll must be really confusing with all the different Blake’s working at GMBN

[@gmbn]

They share it all evenly - it mostly goes on new bits of steel tubing and welding gear to make even more contraptions in their shed 😂

[@thefatathlete6687]

I really enjoy watching these videos, I don’t know why we don’t see more of Blake’s twin brother we need to get more content like these. 😂

[@sstrong42]

I learned to ride on clipless pedals, so switching to flats was full of lots of foot slips. So I went back to clipless.

[@PmatWolf]

I wish mouch earlier i would have tried clipless or cleats as it is i have arthritis in my left ankle and cleats are just not an option, having the freedom of flatties gives me that extra bit of movement that allows me to adjust while riding which i just couldnt do in cleats ..... besides i just dont have the bottle for beig clipped in. great episode though guys love it.

[@thatraymond]

Sounded like an infomercial.

[@jevadajones1645]

Exactly what I expected. Priced right. Good quality. Worth what I paid.

[@hein_mcleod]

I was running cleats for a couple of months, tried flats and I must say I prefer to be clipped in. More control and confidence. I'm using Time pedals, they unclip way easier than shimano style cleats.

[@williammitchell8612]

Absolutely breathtaking film location! Where is this?

[@paulblackwood46]

Clipless for years but had to switch to flats after a knee injury.

[@chantsmantrasandrelaxation5079]

Not sure if this is a dumb question - so please let me know if it is and why. With the clipless can you get some power from the 'upstroke' (how would that work) or is it that you don't waste power? Hope someone can make sense of my query, sorry if it's annoying.

[@carnivorebob3250]

You can push and pull at the same time. You can spin very round also. Modern flat pedals are awesome. But on a long hard ride pushing and pulling of a clipless pedal will help conserve energy by using different muscles.

[@gmbn]

Theoretically you can! It takes a bit of getting used to coming from flats as you have to adapt how you pedal, but it can be done.

[@firbolg]

I actually started using SPD pedals last week and it took me about 10min to get used to it. And as my knees are not great... the clipless pedal allows me to make sure my feet is always in the right position... and my knees hurt a lot less. Mind you, I mostly ride in the city with some dirt and singletracks now and there.

[@foracertablet]

That's the same reason I use SPD pedals, my very bad knees.

[@georgebeare8883]

The irony is that flat pedals and proper flat pedal shoes are actually much better regarding reducing knee pain. I can only assume you were not riding mid foot position on the pedals or some such.

[@rayred74]

Should have added an extra test where, on technical terrain, you should dab your foot, and put it on the pedal again and put the power on. Then see how long it takes for the couples shoe to clip in before they can do it.

[@Bike4adventure]

i run flats. 5/10 shoes and oneup flat pedals. Flats work fine for me. i don't see the cost of going clipless as worth the change...at least not yet lol

[@cemmy410]

The one-up + 510s combo is really solid, it's what I just switched to and so far I really love it

[@jokermtb]

I used to mountain bike in Shimano's MTB Sandals...anyone remember those? They actually did a re-issue a few years ago..... They were awesome - no protection! But, the soles were stiff and they could be run clipless or for Flats....

[@TheDizzyCyclist]

I remember the video of when Doddy introduced Blake to the world of clips

[@djberg3483]

To Blake and the editing crew, that was impressively well done, great content, execution and editing. Thanks for the awesome content

[@Sarky39]

Where are you riding?

[@Rouxenator]

Flats. KISS. Hardtail/no dropper/flats/manual lockout...

[@ken46120]

I just can’t stick to Flats on rough or jumpy terrain. I’ve been trying for over a month. Any tips or advice I get is helpful before I go back to clipless.

[@brandonquinn5835]

I have a question , are flats better for longer distance riding like doing 40 to 60 km Asking in terms of endurance and stamina on the legs

[@Putkijumala]

Went for clipless few months ago because I wanted all the grip and control on the rough stuff. I thought that I will go back to my Nukeproof Horizon DH flats when the bike park season begins but boy how wrong I was. I would never want to go to bikepark with flats anymore. I have so much more control over the bike and I just feel invinsible when clipped in. (Not sure if that's good thing.. 🤭) But I have to admit I do have racers mind. Adrenaline is my middle name.

[@jboycua6450]

Blake is so amazing 🤙🤙🤙

[@Joey.Oranje]

One time had spd but fallen hard because I couldn’t get the shoes clipped in while going down. Later fell while climbing and tipt over. Can’t have the feeling that my feet are stock. Flat is more my riding style.

[@bikegoon]

Try this on a 40 mile XC course, that's where clipless shine.

[@rodleypumpkins4174]

Dvs skate shoes. Never had fancy clip ins or riding specific shoes. Dvs and globe were always super comfortable I us d to be sponsored and did a lot of hard tail dirt jumping but also down hill. I’m sure these shoes would have been nice to have. But hell i ran all kinds of races with just skate shoes on. I back flipped off a house one time with just shoes on and a hard tail.

[@thevapingpolisher9717]

Flats all the way

[@stujm8376]

I’ve just gone back to flats because my clipless shoes just fell apart, I miss clipless for uphill and trails, but downhill I just feel safer with flats…

[@josephpsmithe]

Flats is the only option.

[@DarkHawk666]

Wow, haven't watched for a few years. Apart from in the video, Who are the GMBN crew now?

[@noelmoloney8840]

And I was having high hopes that one of them would grow up and have a coffee. Wrong 😂😂

[@gmbn]

The chances of any of the Blakes growing up are small at best 😉

[@KP-ol3tc]

Bad MCL in the left knee says clipless is a NO GO!!! Obviously it may help relieve stress in some aspects but the twist motion is what makes it too painful to use.

[@MrBob303303]

Not sure, I think maybe the difference is not so great if you are using flats and an oval chainring vs clipless and a standard chainring.

[@DARRENTRANCE]

I run clipless for every day riding (xc) and flats for techy just in case I have to jump ship unexpectedly 😃

[@brimchan1]

but the passing white car at 10:06!

[@Laurie-Kirk]

Fox union boa 47 👌🏼

[@RyanRyzzo]

Original genuine Abibas flipflops with electrical tape 😊

[@LEL7567-ABCDEF]

flat pedals win medals

[@gmbn]

That's definitely been the case again in the Enduro World Cups this year!

[@Justkeepshredding]

I just use vans I think they have the best grips for flat pedals to lock into.

[@gulfcitynd]

Flats are fine if you aren't the best as long as the shoe and pedals are grippy clips aren't needed

[@felipegonzalezm.4644]

With clips is good to end up in hospital badly becose whey crash you crash with the bike to. Recently I got a bad one and i am lucky becose using flat, managing kick out the bike on air. Accept clips is better but some results can be far more dangerous

[@theymademepickaname1248]

Yesterday I was coming down a hill and my handlebars clipped a sapling. The bike went one way, and I went the other. I was able to roll and got away with minor scrapes. I think it would have been worse if I was dragging the bike with me.

[@Typhoonbladefist]

With SPD pedals you can just lower the tension in the pedals. I have mine pretty loose and I’ve had a couple minor unexpected crashes and the cleats released on me. (Unexpected meaning I didn’t react to release the cleats from the pedals)

[@felipegonzalezm.4644]

Years a go when training road cycling I get a corner to fast and end up flying on other side off the road together with bike, firt part off my body be my left side on rocks, miracle no broke my femur but never forget the 15min off agonising and crying 😅

[@Typhoonbladefist]

@@felipegonzalezm.4644 that sounds horrible, I see why you’d be cautious about them. My accidents were mountain biking which is generally a lot slower than road cycling. Cleats for road cycling are usually very tight. Mine would sometimes release in the upwards pedal if I was pulling at a bad angle. In a road bike, you’re probably going flying with 20 pounds of bike attached to you.

[@linori8027]

If I know the trail I ride clipless, if it is an unknown trail then I use flats

[@diegosilvaol]

Personalmente me gustan mas usar clips, siento que tengo mayor control sobre la bicicleta (hardtail en mi caso) y la posición de los pies en el pedaleo siempre es la misma, algo que cuesta conseguir con flats.

[@sicmic]

I just got a set of Shimano Saint's yesterday, my first set of clips. I have to say, I really do not like them. My feet don't seem to be touching the platform part of the pedal at all. It feels like my shoes are just floating around on the clip part of the pedal. There's no way I can ride with these.

[@MightyFireL]

Another piece of bro science, comparing pedals on two different bikes. You could reuse the same footage to do a coil vs air shock comparison. Or blue vs yellow bike.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Being clipped in sure makes shoe companies profitable. Being on flats sure makes the salve and band-aid companies profitable. Or we could all just ask the question, why did we say toe cage pedals where such a problem with the common every day shoe?

[@frederikjacob1985]

Got them both, depending the ride i ride clipless but i prefer flatsole when riding unknown (for me) trails.

[@linori8027]

I do the same, flats if it is unknown, clipless if I know the trail

[@kieranrae]

Flats. Extremely rare I find my feet skipping off the pedals, and certainly not enough to upset me anyway, but I still see people who have ridden clips for years have stupid accidents as a result of them 😂

[@johnolin6474]

I guess the second guy is Blake's alter ego.

[@Liam1992]

I think its crazy how blake has a clone whos equally as good at riding! I guess you get one when you become youtubes funniest people! Sam pilgrim has dusty aswell 😅

[@fud1376]

Never rode Clipped in, never will....Ha !!

[@bbtube11]

Now do the same tests with an average rider, those tiny differences will disappear. The only difference besides preference is that flats do not require special shoes.

[@SLYBUTTER]

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