Originally Posted by
Hermes
I cannot add a lot, if any, value to clipless discussions. One of the reasons is that I have been locked into the pedals since 1980 long before clipless pedals were available.
I used the metal cleats with grooves that were nailed into the bottom of cycling shoes. The groove matched the ridge on the pedal. I put my toe into a cage, secured the metal cleat onto the edge of the pedal and reached down to tighten the toe clip strap. Once secured, I could not get out unless I reached down and released the toe strap.
I still have mine on the older bikes, and I'd use them in a flash if I could find shoes to fit. Sadly my 1976 Detto Pietro's size 42 are about 2 sizes too small now.
For me it's the fear of the unseen and unknown that keeps me from trying clipless. At least with clips and straps I could see the working mechanism and it was easy to understand.
I have the Nashbar platform pedals with SPD-like mechanism on the flip side. Based on some suggestions here about walkability, I think I'll try some MTB shoes for my local and charity rides. With the MTB tread and flippable pedals I could unclip REALLY early and still pedal effectively up to a stop, until I get comfy enough with the unclipping process.