35mm stems seem to be very fashionable at the minute but that doesn’t necessarily make it a better choice for every bike. Modern 29er trail/enduro forks often have an axle offset of around 51mm. Do you really want to be weighting your front wheel from 16mm behind the front wheels axle?
Just a thought for you.

Cool. Glad you like it.

Try to avoid using excessive pre-load on coil shocks. It only takes away initial sensitivity. Better option would be to go up a spring rate (maybe even just by 25lb)

Oh. Also. If you’re really used to SPDs and do fit the shorter pins you might want to try dropping your saddle ever so slightly. A slightly lower sadle will allow you to weight the pedals slightly more when pedalling sat down and this can help to stop your feet bouncing/slipping off when the bulk of your weight is held by the saddle.

Yeah. Just stick with it.

Nothing wrong with wanting to move your feet around. This bloke did quite well for himself after nailing that particular skill.

The pins are just 4mm hex grub screws so if you have a local fastener supplier you can pick them up in various lengths for a quid or so

Out of interest which Etnies and what size are they? (the model name and size are printed on a label insde the tongue)

I have no idea where those bullet pointed rules come from but many riders (myself included) alter their foot position while the bike is in the air. I also feel confident enough to change my leading foot when jumping by spinning the cranks 180° while the bike is in the air. (My footing on a bike is fairly ambidextrous)

Personally. I prefer to manual a bike with the ball of my foot over the pedal axle but prefer to jump with my foot centred (further forward).

I definitely do grip my pedal with my shoe (both in the air and on the ground)… That more flexible sole I prefer wraps around the pedal slightly. How do you think a bunny hop works? That scooping technique is your foot gripping the pedal.

While jumping I also like my foot to be able to twist on my pedal (scrubbing or whipping) and slide onto the crank arm (tabling and hip jumps). I’m pretty sure you knew what he meant when he described the middle of his foot as the instep. I don’t know what the actual term for the middle of the sole of your foot is either. midfoot perhaps? But I knew what he meant.

I grew up riding BMX and have plenty ‘hangovers’ from 20″ bikes. I find a lot of mtbers I meet far more rule bound when it comes to riding techniques and equipment than anyone I ever rode BMX with. There’s often more than one way to get your bike to behave how you want it to. Does that make one way absolutely correct and the other wrong? I don’t think so. There probably are advantages an disadvantages between differing techniques. But so what? For example clip in pedals mean you can control the bike differently to flat pedals. But don’t forget a stiff super grippy sole on an aggressively pinned pedal can also be used slightly differently to control the bike than a more flexible less grippy shoe on a less grippy pedal. It’s just a choice. Try not to get too hung up on those rules (I’ve no idea where you even get them from). Be open minded and try stuff for yourself.

The guy’s asking for advice on reducing pedal grip because it’s what he likes. Who are we to criticise his preferences?

Yeah. Wrong Etnies. Some Kingpins have that sole. Narrow wavy gum ripples, eh?

Which Etnies?

They’re not all the same. infact there are very few Etnies left that are and good for riding in anymore. for me Swivel and Kingpins offer pretty much exactly the amount mix of grip, felxibility and stiffness. And even then Kingpins were produced with 2 soles. and one is nowhere near as stiff or durable. Faders and new Calicut at first glance look like they might offer a decent mix but don’t. See? “try skate shoes from TK maxx”. it’s not actually that easy is it?

You may think a flexible sole is no good for pedalling and too flexible a sole can be. But so long as the sole is not so thin/flexible it causes pain or won’t support your foot (New Vans are this). it’s not actually anywhere near as inefficient as you may think. it’s just different.
I cant’ stand too stiff soles on a flat pedal (Mk1 F2Os) or too grippy (5:10s). A stiff sole reduces feel. Which to me is very important and one of the reasons I like flat pedals more in the first place. An overly grippy sole reduces freedom to move your foot around to reposition while you ride. (think BMX/Dirt jump rider).
It’s a personal thing though and there is no correct answer to what feels or works best for any other rider.

If it’s to allow you to reposition your foot without having to lift it; remove all but the 4 corner pins and one outer middle pin per side. if you don’t find that enough. fit shorter pins.
I assume you’re not using sticky soled mtb specific shoes? if so try a decent skate shoe (not new waffle vans, Vans ruined the support in their soles a few years ago with regards to working well on mtb pedals), Find something with a sturdy upper, good support in the sole (I’m not talking about sole stiffness BTW) and a flat basic tread patern.

Why I wouldn’t is that I don’t personally think the smuggler has a progressive enough spring rate to work ideally with a coil. But if you value small bump sensitivity over progression fair enough.
As Poah hints. If you’re an aggressive rider you will need to go up to a higher rate rear spring to avoid going deep into the travel too easily (and bottoming out).
plusher is one thing but without support it’s not exactly always an upgrade.

Although I did miss seeing Nino’s signature last lap with comfortable lead showboating it was nice to see him finally beaten fair and square. The Kiwi seems like an animal (riding the last lap and a half with cramp but hiding it!) Even better to see less than 3s separating the top 3 men at the finish.  Could well be a great season to follow this year.

Is there any chance of a technical track where it might actually be wet for this years series? I’d have loved to seen close racing with them having to hit those descents in the wet. particularly the manmade multiple log drop section.

I don’t use trailforks myself. But the next time a mate whaps out his device and starts looking at red, purple and blue lines I’m now certain to see the act in a whole new light.

:D