Riders will likelydebate the merits and pitfalls of clipless pedals versus flats for all eternity. Greater security, improved power transfer and consistent foot placement are just a few reasons why you may choose to clip in, while flat pedals offer more freedom. Trail clipless pedals – which combine a clip-in mechanism with a flats-style platform – are designed to offer the best of both worlds. But do they really, and which are the best options out there?
The answer depends on what you personally want from your pedals. Do you want a platform to just offer security for those critical moments on the trail when you can’t clip back in? Or do you want it so you can have the stable, planted feel of a flat pedal, together with the consistency of clips? Either way, some designs will leave you disappointed, offering no more shoe contact than simpler, lighter XC-style pedals.
You also need to consider the stiffness of your clipless shoes, because that will affect how much a platform improves the perceived support and control on offer, and
