ride what you want, but the epic is a xc machine and so it would make sense to have an efficent pedal platform on that machine. i'd run clipless for sure. but it's not like anyone is going to laugh at you for having platforms on it, at least not to your face. i would think platforms would not be as asthetically pleasing on an epic. and if your spending 2000 bones on a bike you shoul dat least wnat it to look good. you know what i mean?