Commuting - Clipless?

I use clips now on my mountain bike on my commute to work. 12.5 miles
If I invest in clipless, what would my considerations have to be?
What would be the best suggestions? - I'm on a budget!

http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.asp?PART_NUM_SUB='0763-04'

I use these Shimano M520s and they are quite reasonably priced. I've really enjoyed them.

If you are on a budget wait til the end of the season to get some left over shoes on special. The most important part is getting a shoe that is comfortable. Shimano SPD pedals work well and last, Wellgo pedals are good when new put parts break easily.

Cheapie Performance SPD-style clipless have been solid on my folder for a year now. I purchased them for something like $24 on sale and considered them disposable at that price. Got quite a deal, it seems. :)

Keep your old clips.... I went back to them after too many tipovers. The ~last~ one into traffic in the right turn lane.

Probably most likely a physical flaw of mine, but I can't twist my foot away from the bike to release. I have to twist in towards the frame. Toe clips are all that I'm able to safely use.

For clipless pedals, I liked the performance campus pedals... spd on one side and platform on the other.

Eggbeaters. Easy as all heck to clip in and out of being 4 sided and all.
You can find the cheap version on sale at performance almost monthly for $50. Very easy to clip in and out.

Personally, I would toss the clips. Can't stand the things.
Eggbeaters are spd compatible. Find a nice mountain spd shoe and use that with them.

I will get Eggbeaters if I ever replace my two pair of SPDs. A buddy of mine got a set of the Crank Bros. Candy pedals off eBay the other day for $36, which sounds like a good deal. I've also seen the eggbeaters on sale for $50. They're so simple, you just can't go wrong IMO.

Even if it weren't a mountain bike, I'd recommend MTB style clipless for the recessed cleat on the shoes. The shoes work well with clips, too since they give you a rigid sole to distribute the pressure on your foot.

For clipless pedals, I liked the performance campus pedals... spd on one side and platform on the other.

I have a set of those and they are great for my utility bike.

My main commuter has a set of Ritchey mtb pedals. I like them because I got them ridiculously cheap on a Nashbar clearance sale, they're two-sided so you can just stomp and go from the traffic light, and the shoes I got (PI Vagabonds) let me walk into my office building without killing myself.

I've used Ascent SPD (made by welgo) and available for $20 from performance. First pair lasted 1000 miles - they still work, but are a little sloppy. Since they cost the same as a pair of replacement cleats by shimano, I'd say they are a great first pedal. They also are very adjustable on the easy side of release - again, perfect for a beginner.
Also have used shimano (my least favorite) and time atac (nice solid feel, but more expensive).

Power Grips. Not clipless, but inexpensive and versatile. Wear most any shoes you want. Gotta love 'em.

I'll third the Performance Campus pedals. If I go some place for lunch I don't need to put on my cycling shoes to go. And the pair I have are 4 years old and work great.

Eggbeaters. Easy as all heck to clip in and out of being 4 sided and all.
You can find the cheap version on sale at performance almost monthly for $50. Very easy to clip in and out.
+1
Here's a good price for the pedals.
http://www.blueskycycling.com/view_product.php?pid=19

Here's a good price for shoes and pedals.
http://www.blueskycycling.com/view_product.php?pid=652



Personally, I would toss the clips. Can't stand the things.
I think they're death traps. http://users.telenet.be/eforum/emoticons4u/violent/sterb074.gif

Another vote for eggbeaters. I use the ones with the platform (Candy). I use these pedals for commuting, road riding and mountainbiking. I've fallen only once on the road because I was leaning opposite of my clip-out foot as I stopped. Mountainbiking's a slightly different story.

I've found the stainless steel eggbeater pedals on eBay at good prices.

My one complaint about these pedals is one set I have needs to be rebuilt too often.

...yes please...

Eggbeaters on my two commute bikes. It's the brass cleat - self lubricating. Never have to oil them, never get stuck like the SPD steel on steel system.