What are your thoughts on advantages and disadvantages of using spd shoes for a swiftly improving beginner.
Should you wait until a certain age/ weight/level of experience before you let them go clipless?
i would wait as you really want to learn your flats skills first.
This is a joke right?
clearly not.
I would wait until they are better than you before sticking them on spd's.
Actually, I'd wait until they ask to use spd's before refusing, waiting a year and then asking them if they still want them.
Agree with all of the above. flats may not be quite as efficient if the youngster is looking to cover a lot of ground fast but there are so many subtle skills and techniques to be learned riding flats.
Juts think back to when you were a kid riding round on a bmx or whatever, bunny hopping is best learnt on flats and has always been, for me, a valuable trail technique for tricky stuff or when you get into a bit of trouble.
spd`s suck anyway, go flats all the way unless you wanna fall off with your bike stuck to you while mid air because you didn't get time to unclick!
it doesnt matter what pedal system you use. the trouble with starting on spds is you encourage pedaling on the toes