Originally Posted by
noglider
If you haven't tried them, you don't know they're not better. I'm not guaranteeing you'll feel an improvement, just that your reasoning doesn't mean that you won't. I'm talking about both cleats and shorts. Though I tend to agree on the shorts. I like my shorts and prefer them on long rides, but I could live without them.
Except for the big one: you still need special shoes.
Personally, I'm a platforms guy. Right now I only have one bike and it has to double as a car, so wide, grippy platforms are the obvious choice (to me). When my Ironman was in my possession I rode it with platforms too, but I would certainly consider foot retention. Thinking about power grips, so I can still wear sandals while I ride (I don't think I've worn socks once since I moved to Hawaii). When I ride fixed, I obviously use foot retention, but clips and straps seemed fine and still allow me to
ride whenever I want.