The MTB thread

Gutted you won't try clip less pedals...
Was going to charge up the helmet cam specially too...

[G]

SPDs are awesome, just bought some m780 XT pedals and mavic razor shoes. Not sure I would use them doing steep technical stuff just yet, there is no alternative for XC though.

I've done downhill for years with them g.
I'm still using the old pair from 1993 and still going strong.
Have got a pair of the red "downhill" spd too.
I'd recommend clipping in to anyone.
More control, more power

[northwind]

They both have advantages and disadvantages so worth trying both and finding out which you prefer (and you can learn stuff from each type of pedal as well, I couldn't spin as well as I can if I'd only ever ridden on flats frinstance but I never bothered to learn proper bunnyhopping til I had to stop using SPDs) And when I say trying, I mean properly trying, not just doing it once then deciding you hate it because they both take time to learn.

But flats is cheaper, and one less thing to worry about when learning... And arguably SPDs can cover up bad foot/weight technique whereas flats brutally punish bad technique

[G]

I fall off and ride into trees to much to wear SPDs all the time at the moment I'm used to flats from my BMX days too... at the minute I love them both equally.

I'm getting too old to use flats!
I had them in the early downhill days and before that when on bmx (really wish I'd not sold the pk ripper ow I know what they sell for!!).
I did a lot of time trial and triathlon as well as mountain biking so spd on all bikes just seemed natural.
I've noticed that spd crept into bmx a little too which was a suprise.

Toe clips rule

[maviczap]

Hah Hah Hah

Only once have I fell over after forgetting to unstrap, thank heavens for look & Spd, toe clips - never again

I wouldn't ride with anything else, love my toe clips, if it ain't broke don't fix it

Never go riding with mr speirs....