Well I don't belive i've ever had my laces get caught in a chain ring. Guess I never really thought of that (have had my pants get a tear in them becaue of a chainring though). Part of the reason I liked these shoes is because of the single velcro strip. I perfer the look of laces. Also I don't belive my LBS carries Shimano shoes so I wouldn't be able to try them on anyway. Even if they did have them it would probably cost my 150+ Canadian to get these same shoes.