I am so glad someone other than myself feels this way! I rode clipless for years before I even tried flats. I always felt fine going DH clipped in, but technical climbs were my nemesis. Either poor technique or bowed legs always prevented me from dismounting and my palms and knees suffered greatly on otherwise slow and silly tip overs. I found myself not trying or bailing early on slow technical sections that would likely require a quick unclip. Just felt they always held me back because I was uncomfortable in the last second where you think "oh Sh**".
Now on flats, I charge anything because I'm completely comfortable supermanning away from my bike given I need to eject. I never have a problem clearing obstacles on flats. Riding tech on flat absolutely requires more skill, albeit maybe slightly less dedication. I ride flats on everything but my gravel bike, and even then, I throw a 100mm fork, dropper, and flats on to go do dirty shenanigans on flowy singletrack.
May 20, 2021, 9:56 a.m. - Blake Clayton
I am so glad someone other than myself feels this way! I rode clipless for years before I even tried flats. I always felt fine going DH clipped in, but technical climbs were my nemesis. Either poor technique or bowed legs always prevented me from dismounting and my palms and knees suffered greatly on otherwise slow and silly tip overs. I found myself not trying or bailing early on slow technical sections that would likely require a quick unclip. Just felt they always held me back because I was uncomfortable in the last second where you think "oh Sh**". Now on flats, I charge anything because I'm completely comfortable supermanning away from my bike given I need to eject. I never have a problem clearing obstacles on flats. Riding tech on flat absolutely requires more skill, albeit maybe slightly less dedication. I ride flats on everything but my gravel bike, and even then, I throw a 100mm fork, dropper, and flats on to go do dirty shenanigans on flowy singletrack.