Everybody understands what you are saying dude. We just don't really agree with all of it.

Ardents are horrible wet tires. I'd bet even Nevegals (which are also shite) are better than ardents in the wet.

SPD's are a tool for better, more efficient pedaling. That's it. Pedal flips? Yea that's a useful thing to base whether or not you want to downhill race with spd's. Smeckma, you are making broad assumptions that aren't backed up with anything useful. I can, for example, bunny hop just as high on flats as I can spd's. My feet also never bounces off riding rough shit when I'm on flats. By your logic, I should not be able to ride flats and not have the skills to pull it off. Stay away from drugs kids.