I have been riding a pretty long time; first mountain bikes, more lately road, fixed gear, and now a Brompton folder too. The biggest single transformation through technology that I experienced was quite some time back when I was able to scrape together enough $ to have a friend who worked at a bike shop get me some spd's and shoes. It changed everything about the feel of the ride, the control, the balance, efficiency...

Now my funny little Brompton is the only bike without eggbeaters on it. I allow for that becuase I really expect less out of the bike, it is just for little jaunts here and there, and "multimodal" transport situations. It is fun to ride, but even on that I really miss clipless pedals. I am going to try to mount powergrips onto it so that I can get some of that control and power.

So Grant is welcome to his opinion I suppose. Everybody's got one right? But based upon my own personal experience, I would almost have to think that he is crazy or lying or has some wierd agenda...