SPD's on the MTB and the 'cross bike - but then again, I don't do "gnarly and rad dooooodd..."

I ride with 5-10 shoes (very hard sole), no clipless or toe clips. I prefer it that way for multiple reasons.

Done quite a bit of reading on it (one example here). And here.

I wish I could easily find the longer document I read, as well as the YouTube video that compared energy outputs from different pedaling scenarios, but it's bedtime and I'm sure you can find the same things I did with simple searching.

I think many people assume that if you're hooked into your pedals you have more power on the upstroke, ergo a more efficient ride, and perhaps ride faster. That's not what some of the research out there shows. Seems like any benefit is fairly minuscule unless you're really trying to cull micro-seconds off your time or are way into racing.

I personally like the ability to move my feet around as I'm riding, rather than having my feet locked into a certain position the entire ride (I have permanent sciatic nerve damage from an old back injury, and my part of my right foot is numb/dead). I also don't want to have to remember to unclip when falling or banging around.

That being said, the trade-off is that the bike can bounce me off the pedals on bumpy trails.

I'm not a fearless, go-for-it, fast rider though, I'm a *kitten*-foot when the trail gets all rocky and steep. I'm a gal in my mid-50's just out for fun, not for testing my limits. Your mileage may vary. I just mostly wanted to respond about the research I've found online that indicate it's pretty much a matter of personal preference and that actual speed/power benefits are fairly minimal and not all that significant for the average rider.

I have crank brothers egg beaters on everything - mtb and road.

MTB? What is this weird witchcraft you speak of?

I use Garmin Vector 2 pedals on my road bike. Used SPDs for years and they're great, but there's no SPD power meter.

I don't own a mountain bike, only rent, so that puts me in regular hiking shoes. I still have a nice pair of mountain shoes and I guess if I hadn't given the pedals away I could have the shop mount them when I rent. Seems like a pain.

CarlydogsMom wrote: »

I think many people assume that if you're hooked into your pedals you have more power on the upstroke, ergo a more efficient ride, and perhaps ride faster. That's not what some of the research out there shows. Seems like any benefit is fairly minuscule unless you're really trying to cull micro-seconds off your time or are way into racing.

It's really not about speed, it's about comfort and safety.

SPDs on my Ultimate, Flats on my Stumpjumper. My shins pretty much look like I've been mauled by panthers, but I'm hoping I'll learn how to stick a landing before I'm 50.

I agree with @ntnunk. An MTB is a nice change of pace occasionally, and it demands more in the way of handling skills, which translate to better cornering on a road bike.

On my road bikes, two are spd-sl's and one is on spd's, although that one basically lives on a turbo trainer. My CX bike is on SPD's, and the gravel bike that is presently just a pile of boxes will be on SPD's when built. My hardtail MTB was on SPD's, but got relegated to trail-a-bike duties for munchkin #2, so I put it back to flats just to be sure I could put my foot down quickly enough in an emergency, but I am trying to encourage her to learn to ride her proper big bike now, so have taken it off to 'fix it' (in other words, put loads of upgrades on it for no apparent reason! ) and am contemplating putting it back on SPD's, as I just don't like not being clipped in.

I think it's a personal choice. I used to clip in but had a nasty fall a few years back. Went to flats and never looked back. Have some excellent Kona pedals and wear a shoe with a grippy sole that's flat. Nothing like a running shoe. More like a skater type shoe (VANS, etc.). But I don't race but I feel more secure not being clipped in.