Can I learn proper skills with clipless?

[Wic2]

Been riding for a year.  Stuff like Barberton, Sabie  - 30 to 50 km's.

Major fall because of bad form on a small hump/jump.  Still not back.

 

I use Shimano XT with proper clipless shoes.  I really enjoy them.

 

So after reading allot, not sure if I should rather restart with flats.  It will mean I spend R 3-4k and some more pain and ..

 

Thus my question - is it possible to get to a reasonable level of skill with clipless, or will I forever be just another rider who cannot use his bike properly?

 

(I love to do but do not intent doing downhill racing stuff or big jumps. Like my bike to much and over 50.)

 

 

[Grease_Monkey]

Of course you can. Flats force you to use good form, clipless lets you get away with bad form - so it is better to learn form on flats BUT, you can learn on clipless - just be conscious of your foot placement, not pulling up with your feet on jumps, dropping your heels etc etc. The same principles apply as flats - like I said, just be mindfull of your technique.

[Albatross]

Spend your money on a skills course before trying flats. It may be a cheaper way to fix your bad form on humps.

[BaGearA]

YES you can, as above it's better to start on flats but it's NOT a must

 

I started on clips got I to very bad habits early on and it took very long to learn them off but all my skills from clips translate to flats and I can do all the same tricks and stuuf out on trails... I'm just more confident on clips

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Of course you can. Flats force you to use good form, clipless lets you get away with bad form - so it is better to learn form on flats BUT, you can learn on clipless - just be conscious of your foot placement, not pulling up with your feet on jumps, dropping your heels etc etc. The same principles apply as flats - like I said, just be mindfull of your technique.

Dis. It's just easier to learn on flats cos they flat out punish bad technique, so you learn faster due to that. I'd always advise someone to start off their skills progression on flats due to this, but you can (with proper guidance) learn on cleats

Edited December 1, 2019 by Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

[porqui]

If you are over 50

 

go to flats   -   you will thank me later.

 

No your feet will not come off flats.

 

(Do you have a dropper post ??)

[WaynejG]

If you are over 50

 

go to flats - you will thank me later.

 

No your feet will not come off flats.

 

(Do you have a dropper post ??)

Good advice this.

[Wic2]

Good advice this.

 

If you are over 50

 

go to flats   -   you will thank me later.

 

No your feet will not come off flats.

 

(Do you have a dropper post ??)

Yes, got dropper and use it.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

At what point do flats outweigh clipless? I don't consider myself a skills rider at all. I enjoy long rides with much uphill. I won't be getting flats. But where is the point you have to consider them? Just curious. What kind of style? 

Any kind of style. If you want to develop your skills, fast, then flats are the logical choice. Not to say that you can't learn proper technique on clips, too, but with flats it's just going to be easier to get them right, sooner. Especially with the help of a coach. 

[Hello Ruan]

I ride flats and don't see myself ever going over to clipless even though I use to ride with them for a year or so.

I just feel more confident with flats that is all. I do think when you are still progressing with jumps, manuals and very technical steep decents it helps you stick around with learning and pushing yourself a bit more.

If you are going flats get yourself ones with some proper pins, I would say avoid a flat pedal from let's say Shimano their pins aren't good enough and quite small so they chew your shoe pretty bad and the grip is not the best. I would recommend these pedals:

https://trailtechcycles.co.za/collections/oneup-components/products/oneup-components-composite-pedals-black

 

They are great and the pins are good. And just get a shoe with a stiff sole that doesn't flex too much and you should be able to get a good idea.

[Headshot]

My 2c. What you actually need is not an equipment change but some proper skills coaching and the correct mind set. Flat pedals won't stop you crashing on a jump and its perfectly possible to learn jump skills while clipped in. SPD's do allow bad habits to develop over time and learning to ride well with flats is an excellent idea, but no amount of riding with them is going to teach you the skills you need. Youtube is packed with videos  - start there or better still do a coaching session.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

My 2c. What you actually need is not an equipment change but some proper skills coaching and the correct mind set. Flat pedals won't stop you crashing on a jump and its perfectly possible to learn jump skills while clipped in. SPD's do allow bad habits to develop over time and learning to ride well with flats is an excellent idea, but no amount of riding with them is going to teach you the skills you need. Youtube is packed with videos  - start there or better still do a coaching session.

100%

[Red Robin]

 better still do a coaching session.

 

Best thing I ever did.   

[SwissVan]

My 2c. What you actually need is not an equipment change but some proper skills coaching and the correct mind set. Flat pedals won't stop you crashing on a jump and its perfectly possible to learn jump skills while clipped in. SPD's do allow bad habits to develop over time and learning to ride well with flats is an excellent idea, but no amount of riding with them is going to teach you the skills you need. Youtube is packed with videos - start there or better still do a coaching session.

What are the bad habits that spd or clipless pedals allow to develop?

[Jehosefat]

As everyone has said, you don't need to learn the skills on flats but it is a lot easier because you get immediate feedback when you do things wrong unlike with clips where you can get away with it and often need someone else to point it out. if you do decide to go with flats, make sure you get a proper set and also a good pair of shoes, that combo makes a world of difference.

 

What are the bad habits that spd or clipless pedals allow to develop?

 

Not keeping heels down, not keeping your weight through your feet on rough sections and pulling the bike up with the cleats when jumping/bunny hopping are the three big ones that come to mind.

 

For reference, I ride flats on my Enduro bike and cleats on my XC and road bikes.

[Grease_Monkey]

As everyone has said, you don't need to learn the skills on flats but it is a lot easier because you get immediate feedback when you do things wrong unlike with clips where you can get away with it and often need someone else to point it out. if you do decide to go with flats, make sure you get a proper set and also a good pair of shoes, that combo makes a world of difference.

 

 

Not keeping heels down, not keeping your weight through your feet on rough sections and pulling the bike up with the cleats when jumping/bunny hopping are the three big ones that come to mind.

 

For reference, I ride flats on my Enduro bike and cleats on my XC and road bikes.

 

 

Yup pretty much those. Doesn't mean if you ride spd you will develop those bad habbits, it just tends to happen over time because spd pedals allow you to get away with it. I always realise that every time I hop on flat pedals. It only takes a few rides to fix, and it's not the end of the world - just not ideal. Flat don't let you get away with those bad habits, so the just never form.