We're here in La Thuile, beautiful Italian alpine region,
home to massive long trails, and, of course, the Enduro World Series.
Now we've just been watching the Enduro World Series, where we saw
Sam Hill get second place, and this isn't the first time
that we've seen Sam get a podium at the Enduro World Series, but interestingly,
he's using flat pedals, something that none of the other riders in the top 30 are
even considering doing. So to me, that really sounds like we should be doing
another versus. This is flats versus clips, Alpine Enduro edition.
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Here we go. Start of the stage is the first test. I'm using my normal setup,
clip pedals, and we're going to see how it goes. I think I can expect it to be pretty
steep, going by the name "Vertikal."
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The test track really had everything. At the top, there was tight switchbacks.
It was undulating. It was loose, rocky, and lots of roots. The middle section was
quite flat. There's a long climb. The climb itself was about 50 seconds and then
it flattened off before going really steep into the finish. The finish line was one
of the steepest sections I've ever ridden on an Enduro bike, tight switchbacks,
rooty turns, and in the wet this would be an absolute nightmare.
Well, it's time to take those clip pedals off. Let's get these Mallet DHs off.
It's pretty rare that I actually get to ride flat pedals, tend to ride them in
winter only. This track is going to be perfect for them. We're going to be very
interested when it comes down to timing it and seeing what sections are better on
them. It's going to be a tight one.
Time for run number two. Let's really see if flat pedals do win medals.
♪ [music] ♪
So, we're back in the shed. We've been away. We've done our testing.
The La Thuile track was absolutely amazing. I had so much fun doing this
test, but you guys probably want to know who won. I'm going to tell you, and it's
surprising. Flat pedals won by a whole eight seconds over an eight-minute track.
That's quite a big margin. That's one second per one minute. I've actually split
it into three different sectors, and let me tell you some of the results.
So sector one, it was fast, it was loose, a little bit undulating, and it stopped
just right at the start of the climb. The flat pedals here were two seconds faster.
On the climb, the climb was 50 seconds, just about, and both the flat pedals
and the clips were identical time of 47 seconds, which absolutely shocked me.
Sector three, it was steep, it was loose. I was taking my foot off a little bit,
but I was just feeling a little bit more comfortable on the flat pedals, and this
is where it was really faster. It was a whole six seconds faster on the flat
pedals than the clips, and that's where I really made up most of my time.
So, what have we learned then? Well, obviously, Sam Hill is very fast.
He's skilled and, of course, he is used to riding flat pedals,
but are we going to see the rest of the Top 30 changing? Are they going to be
using flat pedals than clip pedals? I'd probably think not, especially on those
longer ones where they're out on the bike for five, six, seven,
even eight hours with multiple stages. The clip pedals are just a little bit more
efficient. You're going to be less fatigued at the end of the day,
but there is something for everyone to be learned. Flat pedals are a lot of fun,
they inspire confidence, and at the start of the video, I was just getting so loose
and I had the biggest grin on my face. I was having so much fun.
I think, though, that we're actually going to have to get back out there and do some
more testing. This was one of the steepest tracks I've ever ridden in the Enduro
World Series. What would it be like on a slightly flatter one, with more undulating
sections where you really had to put a lot of power down on the cranks.
We'll have to wait and see and find out.
Anyway, whilst you're here, why don't you watch some more videos from GMBN.
If you click just up there, you're going to get to flats versus clips.
We do a test in the laboratory. If you click down there, you're going to get to
how to set up your clips like a pro. Don't forget to subscribe.
If you click just about on this flat pedal, you'll get it and you'll get a
great video every day of the week. If you like riding flat pedals, then
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