Or is it considered anathema?

I’ve just bought a Tricross to use off-road/on-road/commuting and it’s got SPD pedals (I think they are Time’s) and I haven’t used clipless for years

when I borrowed one I did. I didnt die.

I use flats on all my bikes, including a CX and road bike (tho i have to take them off for racing). People can think what they like!

Just standard MTB flats then or is there something more suited to a “road” bike?

I use mtb flats on my CX bike. I’m useless with spds, especially off road.

I used mtb flats but then I was the world’s worst cyclocrosser.

MTB flats here as well.

I tried SPD’s but they hurt my knees

yes.

but then my cx bike doesn’t get used for cx racing, it’s more of a commuter/pub/tourer/mtblite bike.

Wellgo C612 CNC trekking pedal is worth looking at.

Yes.

As per stevie750 and ahwiles.