All of the above can win on any round of the WC racing flats. Sam Hill was dominating Val di Sol in 07 on flats and that is the roughest track of the year. Its possible to win WCs on flats.

Personally, I have better balance, control, and can make subtle adjustments to hit and maintain narrow lines with clipless pedals [and obviously have more power/endurance climbing]. Flats force you to use proper techniques and can be more fun if you want the freedom to pull off different tricks or moves. I rode Freeride clipped in back when MANY said not to, and rode lines those many couldn’t. A few years went by and I noticed I was starting to have difficulty on some newer/bigger jump lines, especially ones with steeper lips. I went back to flats on my DH bike and bought a DJ bike [with flats] to force myself to re-learn proper jump, pump, scrub, and boost techniques. I actually was riding DH worse for a while after making the switch, but the days doing DJ on flats made me re-learn the proper jump techniques, instead of using my ‘easier’ clipless crutch techniques. I am now back on clipless for DH and am hitting jump and technical lines smoother, with more control, confidence, and better overall flow. I will continue to flip flop between flats and clipless depending on what bike I am on and where I am at with my riding.

“The snobbery of riders who are able to ride clipless pedals at a high level and then dismiss people’s very real fears and concerns with an “I’ve never had any problems so neither should you” attitude as they continue to tell every new rider they meet that they need to get clipless pedals ASAP is ridiculous.”

Thank you for giving the rest of us some ammunition by which to defend our choices.

It’s so awesome to see someone with the balls to say things that completely go against what is jammed down our throats as mountain bikers. I raced DH and SD/Enduro DH for years on SPD’s. After finding your site about a year and a half ago I have been primarily on flats. I still struggle with thinking I will be faster if I just forget about flat pedals and just clip in, but even real world timed runs confirm that flats are just as fast and often faster. Thanks for your continued passion on this subject.

Years ago in my 20′s I raced road and did triathlons with Time clipless.

Then I took a biking break and switched to other sports (including couch training. haha).

I just purchased a nicely priced used Schwinn Moab 2 with flats. I was going to switch them out but now vow to do at least 6 months with them and keep the flats for intermittent training thereafter. Good wisdom.