In praise of platforms

[Trevize1138]

I'm sure most of you are sick of Shad going on and on about how platforms are what everyone should practice on to get this or that bike technique down so you're not using your clipless as a crutch and you'll learn how to properly bunny hop and blah blah blah blah ...

He and I were talking about how much fun riding platforms (some of you call 'em flats for whatever odd reason) is. Since I got my SS ride and put platforms on it I've come to a new appreciation for them. There's a lot to be said for simplicity.

I really feel a clear distinction now between putting on my cylcing shoes, hopping on my geary, TIME pedal bike and hitting the trails to "train" or throwing on the $19.95 Target special Vans knockoffs and a ratty old T-shirt and hopping on the single speed with platforms. You're not "training" on that ride, you're just riding. You're just out having fun, zipping around the turns on your bike like a kid again. You're not super serious or concentrating on pulling up on the pedals or on which gear you should be in for this section or how to time this or that ... you can just ride and enjoy yourself.

So, that's my endorsement: if you've got a 2nd ride, throw on some platforms, strip it to a single speed (if not done so already) and have fun! :D

[bkyatty]

I agree with you Chris, I even put BMX flats on my non-ss mtn bike. I think my legs. knees, ankles, feel better after every ride. I also for the first time did all the obstacles, without incident (except jans rock) on the XX at leb with the flats. I was able to ride more aggressive because I didn't have to think about getting stuck in peddles on top of the teeter or a log pile. I dont know if I will go back to clipless

[crashnburn]

I rode flats for about about 2 months and then switched back to mallet c's. Other than being easier to ride xc, I'm really not digging them too much anymore. I guess I can still unclip, but they're pretty slippery. I feel like I'm in much better control with the flats...

Although getting nailed in the shins is rather uncomfortable. :sick:

[destrago]

Although getting nailed in the shins is rather uncomfortable. :sick:
My clipless hurt WAY more in the shins than my platforms did. When you think you're clipped and take a powerful stroke and it turns out that click you heard was something else, yeah - that sux.:hit:
-Tony

[berrywise]

Not if you run these as your platforms :D


http://www.cambriabike.com/pedals/images/brooklyn_machine_works_shin.jpg
Brooklyn Machine Works Shin Burger pedals

My clipless hurt WAY more in the shins than my platforms did. When you think you're clipped and take a powerful stroke and it turns out that click you heard was something else, yeah - that sux.:hit:
-Tony

[Brick]

my shins fear them........:hit:

[manual63]

There are a few things that always surprise me. One of them is when a rider makes a statement about not being able to do something because they are not clipped in.

I remember a guy, who raced MTB mostly, showed up to race BMX in the cruiser class. He was running clipless pedals and I told him that it seems scary to me that a BMXer would run clipless. His reply was that he could not keep his feet on the pedals if he didn't have them. I would say that clipless were a crutch for that guy if he needs them just to keep his feet on the pedals......

[manual63]

Not if you run these as your platforms :D


http://www.cambriabike.com/pedals/images/brooklyn_machine_works_shin.jpg
Brooklyn Machine Works Shin Burger pedals
There is no reason platforms need to be this aggresive. Primo Tenderizers are plenty aggresive, these are overkill......literally.

[crashnburn]

Agreed... Brooklyn makes some cool stuff, but me thinks these are just made for masochists. I just normally ride with junky Mosh bmx pedals and even with those, I rarely, if ever slip.

[soupboy]

...and I agree you should learn how to do certain things sans clipless, but I tried the retro back-to-flats thing two seasons ago and ditched it. Got some cheap Sun Ringle ZuZus. Plenty of grip w/o excessive flesh eating tendencies. Worked great with any skate or athletic shoe.

Where I really noticed the detriment is on long climbs. You can't maximize your efficiency and balance your legs' efforts as you lose a significant amount of the "pull". Also, a stiff-soled cycling shoe is far more efficient at transferring power. In tech climbing situations you are left with only one option - one massive downstroke vs. a controlled spin using a balance of push/pull. As a result, I found myself spinning out more often sans clipless.

That said, it is liberating to just hop on your bike and go vs. changing shoes and clipping in. I'd love to find some of those old purple ano BMX "bear trap" pedals with MTB threading for SS cruising.

Who's got some? Shad?

Sean

[berrywise]

That said, it is liberating to just hop on your bike and go vs. changing shoes and clipping in. I'd love to find some of those old purple ano BMX "bear trap" pedals with MTB threading for SS cruising.

I've got plenty of ano blue and red replacement cages for Odyssey Triple Traps :)

[Trevize1138]

You'll get no argument from me: clipless and stiff-souled cycling shoes are far and away superior overall if you're looking for efficiency, speed, control ... all that stuff ...

Of course, that's not the point I was trying to make now, was it? No, it was not. :crazy:

Platforms are just fun, and that's really the only thing I'm getting at. Clipless are great if what you're looking for in your ride is better efficiency, transfer of power and all those high-performance doo-dads. Platforms are great if you just wanna hop on and go for a ride.

...and I agree you should learn how to do certain things sans clipless, but I tried the retro back-to-flats thing two seasons ago and ditched it. Got some cheap Sun Ringle ZuZus. Plenty of grip w/o excessive flesh eating tendencies. Worked great with any skate or athletic shoe.

Where I really noticed the detriment is on long climbs. You can't maximize your efficiency and balance your legs' efforts as you lose a significant amount of the "pull". Also, a stiff-soled cycling shoe is far more efficient at transferring power. In tech climbing situations you are left with only one option - one massive downstroke vs. a controlled spin using a balance of push/pull. As a result, I found myself spinning out more often sans clipless.

That said, it is liberating to just hop on your bike and go vs. changing shoes and clipping in. I'd love to find some of those old purple ano BMX "bear trap" pedals with MTB threading for SS cruising.

Who's got some? Shad?

Sean

[TML]

That said, it is liberating to just hop on your bike and go vs. changing shoes and clipping in. I'd love to find some of those old purple ano BMX "bear trap" pedals with MTB threading for SS cruising.

Who's got some? Shad?

Sean

You mean like these!

Flats are the way to go for the winter rides and ice races!

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/500/198WinterTroyPlatform.JPG

[transplant]

OOOOOO! I want to ride in the snow again. It's been almost 6 years since I've had a winter adventure like that (no snow in Phoenix), and I miss it. Where can I slip and slide and crash and fall in sub-freezing weather? Aren't the River Bottoms open year 'round for riding?

[robc]

I just recently bought some Shimano M324 pedals. They have the platform on one side and the SPD clip on the other. With some softer soled mountian shoes, they work good either way. Nice to have the pull for the climbs and fast sections and unclip for anythnig hairy.

[jonbodin]

I put the same Shimano 2-sided on my Stumpjumper also. I think the last straw was when I wiped out in the parking lot at Lake Rebecca before even making it to the trail because I couldn't clip out!! Is there any worse feeling than the panic when you can't clip out when you have lost all momentum?? (you just hope no one saw you!!) :hit:

[EmL34]

I'm no psychoanalyst, but not wanting to be clipped in thru a sketchy section may be a fear of commitment.

[el gueche]

i switched to the shimano flippers and 661 shoes black (whatevers) and my problems disappeared - i kept adjusting the peds and shoes and couldnt get secure/either to tight or to loose - switched and dialed em in pronto - dont know if lucky or what but i look less like a sissybear stink pickle which might be a good thing - el

[thebionicman]

I don't have the luxury of having a choice. I have to use clipless. If there is something that I can't stay clipped in for I have to walk it. I stay clipped in for rock gardens, jumps, pretty much anything. I don't know why you would not want to be clipped in.

But this is OT, I agree with Chris, it is a nice change of pace (just wish I could still do it)

[Trevize1138]

Start seeing motorcycles, eh, Erik? :hit:

I don't have the luxury of having a choice. I have to use clipless. If there is something that I can't stay clipped in for I have to walk it. I stay clipped in for rock gardens, jumps, pretty much anything. I don't know why you would not want to be clipped in.


But this is OT, I agree with Chris, it is a nice change of pace (just wish I could still do it)

[manual63]

I'm no psychoanalyst, but not wanting to be clipped in thru a sketchy section may be a fear of commitment.
I don't mind commitment as long as there is always an option for divorce.......dooohh!!!

[grizzly adam]

Anyone remember these!!

ha haaa...

http://www.ekosport.com/images/pg_in_action1.jpg

[Magic]

I still have a pair of those. Best there was, if you don't like cages. Talk about not getting the foot out in time. They were the altimate for locking you in.

[grizzly adam]

I still have a pair of those. Best there was, if you don't like cages. Talk about not getting the foot out in time. They were the altimate for locking you in.
Do you still have BioPace chainrings too!??

[Magic]

Since you asked, yes I have one hanging on the wall in the garage. It's a reminder of bad ideas in mtb'ng. That man was on crack when he came up with those.

[SPR]

Do you still have BioPace chainrings too!??I had those on my old Grizzly mountain bike. Watch out they're on the way back.:crazy2: Seems a similar type chainring showed up in the TDF this year. Bobby Julich was using them in the Olympics as well.

[LightWeight]

Do you still have BioPace chainrings too!??
I guess I wasn't cool enough to have BioPace. My first MTB (Giant) had OvalTech rings. Lousy cheap knockoffs...

[Crash]

I had those on my old Grizzly mountain bike. Watch out they're on the way back.:crazy2: Seems a similar type chainring showed up in the TDF this year. Bobby Julich was using them in the Olympics as well.
http://www.velonews.com/tech/report/articles/6807.0.html

[grizzly adam]

Yikes - does that mean the chain will wear out all funny?
That would suck if you put the front der. on when the "chainrings" were in their low-spot. ha ha!

[EmL34]

Yikes - does that mean the chain will wear out all funny?
That would suck if you put the front der. on when the "chainrings" were in their low-spot. ha ha!
Seems like it would be hard to adjust the rear der as well. Wouldn't the slack in the chain be variable then? I wonder if this impacts the quality of shifting. If so this would probably be les desirable for MTB.

[manual63]

Do you know why most BMX platform pedals are angled?

/....... / You know, they look like that from the side.

I know the answer, but just testing you dudes.

[grizzly adam]

How about something to do with cornering?

Or sliding your foot back on easier??

Stronger???

[noise_is_life]

So that it's easier to get you feet on the pedals after that big air no-footer x-up 360 back flip?

[grizzly adam]

Cuz BMXers are just punks and to be a punk you have to do things outside of the mainstream, so they made crooked pedals. ;)

[manual63]

So that it's easier to get you feet on the pedals after that big air no-footer x-up 360 back flip?
Well, I guess that didn't take long.

Back in the early 80's Shimano came out with DX Platforms, which have been copied many times now. They made the pedals a Parallelogram shape so the pedals would always flip to one side when you put your foot back on. Rectangular shaped pedals, like the famous Crupi's, made it easy for you to actually step on the flat side (instead of the top of bottom) of the pedal and as soon as you put pressure down, the pedal would flip forward or backward and cause you to slip a pedal in a race, which hurts with those things.

Since then, many companies, the smart ones anyway, have made pedals angular. Now that all these trick variations are common, this style pedal is ideal for the reasons you stated. Originally it was designed for racing.

I remember the first DX platforms. I didn't think my Vans would stick to them because they didn't have aggresive cages. Then I got to try some and those little pins were amazing. I actually had better grip with the platforms than with the toothed cages. Most freestyle riders don't want their pedals to be super grippy, that's why the Primos are not as nasty as some pedals. Thay were more or less designed for freestyle riders. Primos have a few pins, but then they have the rough surface on the rest of the pedal for lighter grip. They are probably the best overall design in my opinion.

Just call this MORC education.......or boredom.....

[grizzly adam]

I think Pat and I should get half-credit each for that answer. I answered first and he elaborated.

[manual63]

I think Pat and I should get half-credit each for that answer. I answered first and he elaborated.
Yeah, but you were stabbing guesses......:p

[grizzly adam]

okay...was my guess accurate?
I wanna win!!