Having been a staunch Shimano SPD (Shimano Pedaling Dynamics) rider for well over a couple of decades, I've grown very fond of the easy, cheap and reliable system which has done me well. I have also scoffed at alternative brands
mtb
Trail Karma - Don't Knock It Til You Try It
"I really don't like the way that trail rides in places. Whoever built it really doesn't get how I like to take corners. Someone needs to tell the builder to change it or we'll go somewhere else" or
Wiz Bang - The Joys of Technology
The modern level of fang dangled devices now available to a traditionally mechanical mountain bike is somewhat overwhelming when considering our 'I'm cooler then you' mentalities... 'Back in my day', the most technological advanced accessory was the humble trip computer