Review of 174g Zero Medium Burst Spike, mostly as a thrower. First, some background... I recently de-bagged all discontinued models. The one that hurt the most was my Innova XD, which was my neutral-to-understable Swiss army knife putt and approach. (Note: the new XD is not the same as the classic ones.) I was looking for a replacement for that, and I think this will do nicely. 

About the grip pads: I have seen a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth over the grip pads on the top. If you don't like them, STFU and don't use them. There's PLENTY of room to put your thumb down outside of them. I use them when it's wet, but honestly don't think they make a difference one way or the other. It's just a texture with no depth, kinda like a surfboard. If doubt they change the flight, but if they do, then I like the result...

This disc gives me pretty good distance. It's just a tiny bit shorter than a Roc and longer than a Marshal, which makes sense looking at the speed ratings. The Spike has the same speed and glide as a Harp, but goes a bit further since it has less fade. I haven't compared it with the XD, but I'd guess it's just a bit shorter. The reason I mention the distance is the versatility it gives this disc. 

I know a lot of discs say they do whatever you want and hold your line, which just makes me skeptical. I usually think it's going to involve too much finesse and learning to get the angles right. Although this disc takes a bit of practice, it's really intuitive.

When not under full power, throw it straight and it will go straight. Throw it anhyzer and it will hold that. It's ok for hyzer lines (at slower speeds only), but I have better discs in my bag for that shot shape (Harp). 

Under full power is where this shines. Throw RHBH (right handed backhand) flat and it will drift right on a very predictable curve that it will hold as long as it has speed. Like most throwing putters, give it some height to let it work. What I love about this disc is that I don't have to fool around with angles to get RHBH to go right. Just huck it. One thing I love about this disc, though, is that if I throw it hard on a sharp hyzer, it pops up to flat and goes super straight with almost no fade. I use this when I need mid-like distance, but absolutely cannot go left. It does take a little practice to learn the angles, so give it some time, but two words I would use to describe the Spike are intuitive and forgiving, so it's not a steep learning curve. 

As for versatility, this disc is also great for forehands. Everything I said above about backhands applies to forehands, too. I have plenty of discs that are good for both throws, but it is rare to find a disc that flies like a mirror image on the forehand. As for putting, I practice with it in my yard and it's nice. It pretty much goes straight inside circle 1 and the BT Medium is grippy on the chains. I use it more as an approach disc when I play, but I occasionally use it for anhyzer putts around obstacles and have sunk a few improbable putts with it. 

I keep this in a side pocket in my bag as a utility disc, but I actually use it a lot. I use a Harp when I have room to let it work and a Marshall for shorter straight shots. The Spike complements these when I need something understable or a bit longer. As an understable disc, a RHBH will flip into a headwind, but with a bit of hyzer, it will go on a really gentle arc which is sometimes the shape I'm after. 

As for flight ratings, the -1 turn seems quite off. I'd say more like -2.5, but it depends on the power you give it. As for speed & glide, I think those are accurate & similar to my Harp (same numbers), except the Harp will fall shorter due to it's higher fade rating. The Spike's fade is very minimal, so a 1 is ok, or maybe less. Like every disc, this will fade more with more height (e.g.: downhill), but it's not an aggressive fade. 

I'm not sure this is the best disc for beginners. I think someone with more experience will control the angles and control the flip more intentionally. I'd start a newbie off with a neutral putt & approach disc like the DD Marshal, MVP Ion, or Innova Yeti Aviar, instead.