Crankbrothers Stamp 11 Large flat pedals review | Bike Flat Pedals

That difference is a factor in which system’s best for you. If you’re clipping and unclipping a lot — while commuting, for example — then the easier clip-in action of two-bolt systems means you won’t find yourself fumbling with the pedals as you set off from the lights.

Aside from the bent pins, the XT pedals have largely been trouble-free. The bearings have spun nice and smooth throughout testing, though more recently I did notice a small amount of play between the body and the axle, so I got my hands on Shimano’s plastic TL40 tool to pull the pedals apart and take a gander at the insides.

One of the coolest features is the full-length chromoly-steel spindle. This makes the pedals feel incredibly stable, and should prove beneficial for heavier riders. The only downside is this adds weight and thickness to the pedals. At 18mm thick, the Stomps are the thickest pedals I tested by far.

Well, now you can recoup all the time the bike has stolen from you by giving the gift of a skateboard! Yes, no fit person over 40 can resist the allure of a skateboard, nor can they stand on one without sustaining an injury just bad enough to keep them off the bike for awhile and force them to appreciate you! Just find a reissue deck from the halcyon days of their youth, sit back, and let physics and nostalgia do the rest: “Whoa, a Rob Roskopp! I used to have one just like this! You know, I used to be pretty good…” [Stands on skateboard, immediately breaks coccyx.] You’ll be enjoying that romantic anniversary dinner in no time—though your partner may be sitting on a doughnut.

Try experimenting with those shims and the pin setup, and you should be able to get the clearance you need.

I am using Shimano PD-T420 CLICK’R pedals on my road bike. Using my bike also for communting, I can easily pedal with my leather shoes for office on the flat side.

Time says the carbon fairing on the underside toughens the pedal up and also has aero credentials, although I’d suggest any watt savings are likely to be extremely marginal. Time’s patented Iclic engagement system has been improved, and it works by remaining in a looser, more open position when you’ve clipped out, ready for the next time you clip in, making the process seem effortless.

The upper is made up of a few panels, with the closed-off toe splitting the two perforated pieces of synthetic leather. A large reflective panel sits at the rear, with a padded interior designed to cuddle your heel. Unlike Shimano’s performance shoes, the XC5 doesn’t attempt to lock the heel in with any special one-way fabric or aggressive shaping.

As CXR94Di2 has demonstrated and I can confirm that road shifters do work with the XT mechs, but as I said you must use front and rear. I took my advice from CXR94Di2

“We buy these bikes (and) we end up owning these bikes,” Fischer said. “It’s not like they’re on loan to us until we can sell them.

 Clearly you’re triggered by my positive reaction and descended into some maddened state ranting about damascene, puns and post-purchase-rationalisations. 

More than this, there are certain aspects of clipless pedals that are downright insidious. Firstly, they make you lazy. Do you really need to be physically attached to your bike in order to ride it over a log? Do you really need special equipment to tell you where exactly to place your feet, like you’re slipping into the ass groove in your sofa? (This goes double if you had to pay a bike fit professional to help position that "ass groove" in the first place.) Secondly, clipless pedals engender a smug sense of superiority. Once you master clipless pedals, you look askance at any rider who has not, and on a certain level you feel your attachment to the bike reflects your commitment to the sport. They’re tentative noobs, whereas you’re like a captain ready to go down with the ship. "If this bike falls over I’m going with it!"