First Look: Ritchey WCS XC Clipless Pedal: Wider & Lower | Road Bike Clipless Pedals

Flats on the DH bike, enduro, xc and cross bike, clips on the road bike and that’s only because you look daft in fivetens and lycra.

Our official grumpy Northerner, John has been riding bikes for over 30 years since discovering as an uncoordinated teen that a sport could be fun if it didn’t require you to catch a ball or get in the way of a hulking prop forward.

GCN tested this in the lab in a recent YouTube video and found that clipless did not increase power – they seemed a bit shocked that the common precept that clipless are better for power and efficiency could was not proven in testing.

Ride Concepts TNT Ride Concepts’ mid-height, flat pedal offering with an ankle strap for on the fly adjustments. $160 USD.

Five Ten is known for its grippy flat shoes, particularly the Stealth rubber it incorporates on all of its models. The Maltese Falcon uses a Stealth S1 rubber compound sole that is stiff enough for riding yet flexible enough for walking on rocky trails. But this flat riding shoe also comes with an SPD cleat, giving you the option to clip in while still retaining a casual, relaxed look. A lace-up closure gives it a skate-style look, and a Velcro strap helps with mid-ride adjustability. Sitting between the company’s heavier and more downhill-oriented Hellcat and stiffer-soled, more race-oriented Kestrel, the Maltese Falcon is an all-around, comfortable mountain bike shoe. Soft padding throughout keeps your feet from getting too hot during the summer months but also keeps them warm all winter.

“With a claimed weight of 500g (492g on our trusty workshop scales) they are certainly not the lightest flat pedals on the market. In fact they are one of the heaviest pedals on test, but Shimano have put a lot effort into making sure the pedals are robust and super reliable…” Read the full review here.

My eastbound train heading toward downtown #Phx, right on time. #carlesscommutepic.twitter.com/5GMyEF7tLK

The laces are effective at providing a generous range of tension across the foot, however, the mid-foot loops stubbornly hold the laces in position. To some, this may be a positive as the shoe will keep its adjustment between wears, but for me, I just found it slowed the process. Either way, they serve a functional purpose, and certainly the upper would squirm if it weren’t for them.

Installation was simple. I had been using the wheels for last issue’s racing tyre buyer’s guide testing, so I had to install the valves as a first step. UST rims work fine with tubes, but changing is more difficult than it needs to be because of the tyre retention ledges in the rim. After doing it more than 10 times, it became easier but it never got to be as fast as a non-tubeless rim.

This was on a cold day and he said he should have worn gloves and earmuffs, and brought tissues. And then there was one other problem.

With that super stiff carbon fibre sole, you don’t want to do too much walking. For running up a muddy bank with a cyclocross bike over your shoulder, or pushing a gravel bike up a climb that is just too steep to ride, they’re okay. But for anything longer, a slightly less stiff soled shoe would probably be preferable. These are best for racing and fast riding, not an epic multi-day adventure into the wilderness.

Also into my third year but with EPS. Haven’t regretted it for a second. Effortless and trouble free gear changing especially when braking. I’m thinking of replacing my touring bike and I hope I can get it fitted with triple electronic shifting.