Pedals...DMR V8's or similar.

I have been ridding spd's some years now but tbh my knees just can't seem to take them any more...the pain is quite bad, but when I ride my mtb I ride with flats and I get no pain at all. So I was thinking of trying some flats with straps but at a loss to know what is the good from the bad. I do like DMR V8's as a pedal so I was wondering has anyone tried them with straps...is it possible or is there a pedal similar out there that can take a strap or, any other recommendations.

Thanks

Have you had a look at your cleat positioning? This is probably the culprit. I've seen a couple V8's with straps but I think they were bodge jobs.

I've had DMR V12's with straps on my commuter (and briefly on my Bridgestone) for about 3 years and love them. I have V8s with Holdfast straps on a SS bike but prefer the sealed bearing V12.
Easy to slip into but can be a tricky to get out of in a hurry due to the shinfucker™ pins, but I love them, allows me to wear normal shoes which is why I choose them on the commuter.

As Ryan said, you could probably address the knee pain with cleat adjustment.

I use DMR V12's with straps from the forum and have no complaints. Well, one gripe is the pins, which are still razor sharp even after three years of use and do occasionally remind me of this. But then V12 owners just learn to wheel their bikes along very carefully.