Spikes Guide

Training Advice/Discussion General

10 years ago 03/03/2014 11:04pm EST

Can an experienced coach or professional assist in compiling and clarifying the best info on the correct spikes (pins) to use for event and type of track?

This seems to be an overlooked area in running and I think many would benefit from this knowledge. I race quite a few races in collegiate meets and the consensus is that only pyramids are allowed. Even on Mondo tracks most schools only allow pyramids rather than a compression spike like christmas trees.

Can someone list when and where to use the available spikes out there and preferred size as well?

Pyramid, Cones, Needle, Christmas Tree.

Thanks

10 years ago 03/04/2014 8:17am EST

re: clarificationplease

I'd like to know why Mondo facilities ban Christmas trees even though mondo themselves says they are fine to use?

10 years ago 03/04/2014 8:25am EST

re: 801 dude

801 dude wrote:
I'd like to know why Mondo facilities ban Christmas trees even though mondo themselves says they are fine to use?

Exactly, that's why I'd like to solidify all this.

10 years ago 03/04/2014 9:31am EST

re: clarificationplease

I would be interested in an informed opinion on this as well.

10 years ago 03/04/2014 7:10pm EST

re: clarificationplease

Being an Old Coach I can remember what I was told about MONDO.

The idea of spikes is NOT to be so sharp as to sink into the surface so they stick in. The reason why they recommend pyramids is that they don't sink in but sort of grab the surface and get pushed off the surface due to the shape of the spike. Needles will stick in, and christmas tree's might stick a little. It is the idea of getting pushed off the surface, not sticking in the and pulling out.

It may not seem much to us, but the milli-seconds saved with the spikes not sticking wins races. Bouncing out of the sorta rough surface is better than sinking into the track and having to get pulled out.

10 years ago 03/04/2014 10:53pm EST

re: trackjc

That makes sense, but why the different types of spikes then?

I was always told that based on the firmness of the track that one used a different spike. Needles for very firm tracks, pyramids for softer tracks. Christmas trees seem relatively new (10-15 years maybe)?

10 years ago 03/05/2014 1:01am EST

re: 801 dude

801 dude wrote:
I'd like to know why Mondo facilities ban Christmas trees even though mondo themselves says they are fine to use?

Mondo is fine with you using them so the school needs to replace the track sooner...

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