Choosing the Right Pedals: Flats vs Clipless for Trail Riding

The flats-vs-clipless debate can get surprisingly heated in mountain biking circles, but the honest answer is that both are legitimate choices depending on riding style and priorities.

Flat Pedals: Pros and Cons

Pros: Easy foot entry and exit at any moment (crucial for technical terrain where quick dabs matter), no learning curve for clipping in/out, generally cheaper, and pairs with a wider range of shoe options.

Cons: Less pedaling efficiency on sustained climbs since you can't pull up on the pedal stroke, and feet can bounce off pedals on rough terrain if foot placement and pin-grip technique aren't dialed.

Clipless Pedals: Pros and Cons

Pros: More efficient power transfer (pulling as well as pushing through the pedal stroke), feet stay connected to pedals over rough terrain without bouncing off, and can improve technical climbing traction since your foot position is fixed.

Cons: A real learning curve for clipping in and out smoothly, especially unclipping quickly in an unexpected stop — a common cause of low-speed tip-over falls for new clipless riders. Also less flexibility for quick foot dabs on technical, slow-speed sections.

Which Suits Which Riding Style

• Aggressive, technical trail riding, downhill, dirt jumping: many riders prefer flats specifically for the ability to bail or reposition feet instantly.
• Cross-country, endurance, and efficiency-focused riding: clipless is the more common choice for the pedaling efficiency gains over long climbs and distances.
• New riders: starting on flats while building bike handling skills is a common and reasonable recommendation — you can always transition to clipless once fundamentals feel solid.

It's Not Actually a Permanent Choice

Plenty of experienced riders switch between flats and clipless depending on the specific ride or discipline — there's no rule that says you need to commit to one system permanently across all riding.

Shoe Considerations

Flat pedal shoes prioritize sticky rubber compound and a flatter sole for pedal grip; clipless shoes prioritize a stiffer sole for power transfer and a cleat mounting system compatible with your specific pedal brand.

Neither system is objectively "better" — it depends on what you're optimizing for on a given ride, and plenty of skilled riders land on opposite sides of this choice permanently.

Whichever pedals you run, gear up right — check out our full apparel lineup.

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