I’m having more fun with flat pedals

I started out mountain biking this summer clipped into Crank Bros Eggbeaters with a good pair of Bontrager Multisport shoes.  After a few minor spills, I got the hang of getting out of them (rotate your heels outward)  and I could feel some benefits to keeping my feet in the right position on the pedals.

But I was still nervous about tackling the advanced technical stuff that I like and after a few scary crashes, I found some blog posts with long discussion threads that opened my eyes:

James Wilson on MTB Strength Training Systems:

Gene Hamilton on BetterRide.Net:

Five Ten Impact HighVP-ViceSo I got a pair of Five-Ten Impact High shoes and thin VP-Vice pedals and they’ve made a huge difference. I’ve been way more adventuresome, not having to think or worry about being clipped in.

I’ll keep the Eggbeaters and Bontragers for the gravel rides.

Updates, November 2014: I’ve updated the expired links to the shoes and pedals. And I’ve added two more article links.