Gnar Gnot Gnecessary: Great rides don’t need bluebird skies | Bike Self Locking Pedals

Shimano GR7 The GR7 has a stretch mesh ankle collar that offers additional debris protection. Claimed weight 349g in size 40. $113 USD.

Specialized cycling shoes usually use cleats on the bottom of the shoes, and a matching spring-loaded clip on the pedal. SPD cleats are the most common type you’re likely to see in classes. (Pro tip: these are called “clipless” pedals, even though you have to clip in, because clips, aka toe clips, are something else entirely.)

Really I’d only recommend them to riders who will find that learning curve worth the touch of extra speed off the lights or side of the road. To me it was.

The recessed area itself is reinforced with a hard plastic material, and it’s located further toward the middle of the foot than a traditional clipless mountain bike shoe. There’s a big range of adjustment, which is great for those who are used to riding flat pedals closer to mid-foot than big toe.

Selling for £89 for the pair, the XT flat pedals can be had in two platform sizes to suit different shoe sizes. I’ve been testing a set of the Large size for the past three months, which come in at 491g as tested.

The newer Speedplay Aero Walkable cleat has taken the pedal system from being horrible to walk with, to one that’s pretty decent.

VeloNews magazine will bring you inside the sport of bike racing, with exclusive features, analysis, expert training advice, unbiased gear reviews and the absolute best cycling photography.Subscribe

The wheels felt quite good in the aero sense. Not as fast as my own wheels with 60mm deep rims, but they held high speeds easily. They were laterally stiff. No rubbing or other issues to report (and at 90kg, I tend to induce such behaviour in susceptible wheels).

There is a vast choice of mountain bike clipless pedals available to buy, some are good for all-round trail riding, some are more suited to cross-country riding whilst others are aimed squarely at gravity, enduro or downhill riding. Between us at off.road.cc we’ve tested quite a variety and have listed the best in test here. 

Manufactured from big hunks of forged alloy, the XT flats get a very robust platform for stomping your foot down onto. The body is hollowed out through the middle for mud-shedding, and chiselled around its perimeter to reduce weight. Chamfered edges aim to help the pedal slide off of rocks rather than jam onto them, though the angle of these chamfers isn’t as obvious as what you’d find on say, a DMR Vault.

Standard SPD cleats only release when the rider twists her foot outwards, but multi-release cleats come out if you pull up hard too. That’s a far more natural action for a clipless beginner, who’s probably used to flat pedals that you just lift your foot off.

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.