I got my Shimano SPD M520 pedals and some shimano mtb shoes (I want to say M086L) for ~$90 and I think they're super comfortable, easy to walk in (on my commutes I sometimes walk a mile pushing the bike with one hand and the daughter's stroller in the other hand to her day care before starting the ride), and easy to get into and out of for a beginner. Definitely not the lightest of pedal though.
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Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?), 1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"