I rode clip-in pedals almost exclusively for over two decades. When I did rock flats it was in controlled situations – smooth & flowy descents rather than janky tech-gnar with lots of climbing. Almost always solo. My transition to full-time flat pedaling started sometime in 2018. But, it wasn’t until 2021 that I could claim to have truly focused on flats, having ridden an entire year without clipping into ‘clipless’ pedals. I haven’t clipped-in since. 

It took three months to really feel confident and competent. It took me the full 365 days of riding on flat pedals to feel as intuitive as being locked in. There are still a couple of technical climbs that I haven’t checked off in the years since my switch, and I still occasionally slip a foot, but whether it’s on my ATB commuter, my single-speed MTB, or any other bike, I can’t foresee any reason I’d go back. I’ve even been talking about doing a few XC ‘races’ and while I’ll certainly swap to lighter and faster rubber, I’ll quietly take a pass on whatever performance advantages springs, clamps, and cleats would deliver. 

(Photos by Steve & Meg @ Hardtail.Life. Thank you, Steve & Meg)

The whys are for another conversation, but right now I’d like to talk about the hows. I’ve experienced a lot of learning curves when it comes to mountain biking. I’ve been around for the before and after differences that dropper posts, disc brakes, good rubber, and great geometry have made to the activity. Despite what one may assume from my Luddite’s love of suspension-free one-speeds, I’m not prepared to give any of those luxuries up. I should say, those easy to enjoy luxuries.

On the side of harder transitions, since 2001 I’ve spent more time pedaling single-speed than multi-speed mountain bikes and since 2017 I’ve spent more time riding a rigid mountain bike than hardtail and full-suspension mountain bikes put together. As much as I tease #JerryWillowsHatesMyBike, these are acquired tastes, no doubt about it. 

I lay this all out as a foundation for my claim that no learning curve has been as hard for me as achieving the aforementioned competence and confidence riding flats. It was a rewarding process and while I know that in many situations – up, across, and down – I’m not going as fast, I am having more fun, which for me is the point. 

Before I go on, I want to note here that I’m not suggesting anyone or everyone should toss out their cleat-adorned dancing slippers. In the world of voluntarily committing to grinding blood, sweat, and gears – playing on bicycles in the forest – do what works for you. Ironically, the biggest flat pedal advocate in my life when I made the switch now clips in almost exclusively. For good reasons. However, if you’re feeling the flat pedal passion but you suck, my experience says stick with it. Take the 30-day challenge, then the 90-day challenge, and when that’s feeling grand step up to the 365-day challenge. 

And, I dredge this all up as I’m currently going through a pedal-related re-learning curve. For this moment I’ll call these new platforms a unique take on flat pedal riding and leave it at that. Since I am becoming increasingly enamoured with the concept though, I’m taking this moment to remind my future self that early parking-lot enthusiasm gave rise to multiple truly awkward moments and a keenly learned cautious uncertainty out on the trails for ride number one. 

Then, plenty of time practicing in our underground parking brought a higher level of competence and confidence to ride number two. A dawning appreciation as well. And then, I had only one minor moment of weirdness on ride three. As learning curves go, I’d call that a very short process. I’m exceedingly excited to report back about ride number four. Still, the current M.e. is reminding future M.e. to chill. 

Chill Drew-Bob!

On the subject of re-learning curves, these to-be-released pedals are the first of two products, and then hopefully a curated selection of interesting objects, that I’ll be looking at specifically under the MEATengines (M.e.) lens. 

I’ve given these product pieces their own category ‘Actual Bike Review Shit’ as opposed to the ‘Bike Review Shit’ category in which I toss anything and everything gear related. I use the word ‘review‘ very loosely in this case as my biases and relationships will be clearly noted and the content will be qualitative and story-forward, not quantitative. No measurements will be harmed in the making of these musings. 

(Okay, okay, I might replace the battery in my calipers so I can list the platform size and who doesn’t like a gram-scale photo?)

Re-Learning Curves.