All true. I just hate to see new riders (and old hands too, I suppose) not even considering SPD setups because of what others think about what they will look like, or through misunderstanding of the issues. The walking safety issue really can be important, especially for us elderly types.

I have only been riding three and a half years (after a 25 year layoff), but I started back with SPDs because of the walking issue. I have had Northwave and Shimano shoes, as well as the Shimano sandal (which was great in the hot weather when doodling around North Holland on my city bike). I have never experienced the "hotspot" issue with any of them.

I originally used Shimano and VP double sided pedals because I thought it would be easier to be able to clip in from both sides. While that was marginally true, I have migrated to the Shimano A515 and more recently the A520 road pedals. They provide much more support - all around the shoe within the pontoons in fact - and they feel more solid as well.

But having said that, I climb every ride here, and have done le Mont Ventoux with the smaller pedals too. No problems at all. Ever. So the real answer is, as always, "do what you think works best for you".