Exclusive Review: The X-ALP Launch Is The First Ever Flat Pedal Shoe From Pearl Izumi | Spd Pedals

There are two types of clipless pedal. Pedals for road racing follow the original concept introduced by Look in 1984. The cleat stands proud of the sole and is attached by three bolts. This allows an uncomplicated, very rigid sole, but is awkward to walk in.

This isn’t to say I don’t like clipless pedals or that I don’t use them. I do and I do, quite often. Here’s why:

You might get a little bit of occasional chain rub on the chain set because the chain won’t sit quite straight on the chainwheel sometimes, and…

Ordinarily, when it comes to uninspired gifts, nothing underwhelms like a pair of socks. It’s the present that says, “You exist, and you have feet.” Cyclists, however, get genuinely excited about socks: they’re our “pieces of flair,” and sock choice is really the only way we get to express ourselves stylistically (unless you count really bad calf tattoos), especially if we’re on a team and all have to dress the same.

I’ve been testing them for many months, through the winter and into the summer, with riding that has included cyclocross, mountain bike and gravel riding. They’ve stood up to everything I’ve thrown at them exceedingly well. The upper material cleans up after muddy rides really well and they dry out quickly too. They’re not the airiest of XC shoes for the higher temps we’re dealing with at the time of writing though.

There’s more to buy if you go for Shimano Di2 or Campagnolo EPS. On top of the shifters, derailleurs and charger, you’ll need a battery and wiring.

Pearl Izumi X-Alp Launch The Launch has a bonded seamless upper, with no stitches to fray or wear out. Claimed weight 356g. $150 USD.

Go to a safe place—one without traffic—to practice starting, stopping, and unclipping while moving. At a stop, one of your feet will already be clipped in; move that pedal to the top of the pedal stroke. Push down on that pedal to start, and as the bike accelerates, find the opposite pedal to clip into and start pedaling. "If you miss the engagement with the opposite pedal, don’t stress," Compton says. "Just look forward and continue to pedal as you clip in with your foot. If the bike is moving forward you won’t fall over—the faster you go, the easier it is to balance."

For experienced bicyclists with their own bicycle, that may be the way to go. Pamela Larson, a data reporter here, swears by it. It usually takes her about 12 minutes from central Phoenix.

Now I couldn’t use anything else. They are just pheneomenal compared to the various Looks I usually use. They need broken in first of all as the spring is super stiff, but once done then it only takes a little force to clip in. Actually finding the insert point is a few weeks of muscle memory (I stuck them on the indoor trainer first which sped this process up).

That’s perhaps why you might find cyclocross coaches recommending flat pedals for young racers. It’s vital for cyclocrossers to be able to bunny-hop confidently, and properly. Learning the real technique means positioning your feet properly, and managing your bicycle’s weight. Flat pedals force a rider to do exactly that, without allowing clipless pedals to pick up the slack.

What is it about the extremities of cyclists that causes such heat?  Helmets, and now, apparently, cleats.