Pedal shape matters more to me than shoe stick. DMR vaults are my flat of choice. I keep a pair around even though I mostly ride clips. I have a few flat shoes around too, 510 Karvers and a few different Shimano ones. The pedal shape makes the most difference, I'm adaptable to the grip. My main concern is shoe stiffness, I find if my shoes are too soft I end up with foot pain. My flat pedal rides are usually under 3h and don't involve technical climbing, so it's not often an issue.
I'm mostly in clips these days though, except for winter when I mix it up. I run the clips tight and go through 2 or 3 sets of cleats a year. Really the only downside is tomahawking while attached to the bike (it happens and it sucks). Even with the added stiffness, which is important to me, I've been munching through a pair of SPD shoes every 12 to 18 months (I use them for road and MTB, so many KM).
Feb. 17, 2021, 7:41 p.m. - Sanesh Iyer
Pedal shape matters more to me than shoe stick. DMR vaults are my flat of choice. I keep a pair around even though I mostly ride clips. I have a few flat shoes around too, 510 Karvers and a few different Shimano ones. The pedal shape makes the most difference, I'm adaptable to the grip. My main concern is shoe stiffness, I find if my shoes are too soft I end up with foot pain. My flat pedal rides are usually under 3h and don't involve technical climbing, so it's not often an issue. I'm mostly in clips these days though, except for winter when I mix it up. I run the clips tight and go through 2 or 3 sets of cleats a year. Really the only downside is tomahawking while attached to the bike (it happens and it sucks). Even with the added stiffness, which is important to me, I've been munching through a pair of SPD shoes every 12 to 18 months (I use them for road and MTB, so many KM).