);

Platform Pedals or SPD?

The race team has a mix of riders who like to be clipped in with some sort of SPD style pedal as well as the guys who use platform pedals.

Here’s Team Racer Corey Pond using SPD pedals.
corey clipped

Team Racer, Joe Solancho using flat pedals.
joe clipped

So the question is, which is better? SPD or Platform?

Personally I’ve tried both. When I first started downhill mountain biking, I used flat pedals and I found that I didn’t have full control of the bike. I assume that I’ve grown accustomed to using my cleats to pull of on the bike when needed (make sense?) I also didn’t like how my feet would come off the pedals if I hit a bump. But the benefit of having platform pedals was getting your foot in and out quicker. It’s useful when you’re trying to prevent a crash or need your foot to catch you if you wash out.