It's funny - whenever I get a new pair of shoes, I think they're awesome for riding with clips and straps, then they break in a little and I hate them. I've yet to find the "perfect" shoe (but I guess I haven't actually be looking very hard). A good friend of mine rocks DZRs (without cutting out the sole to install a cleat) as regular riding shoes and he says they're amazing. I can see how they would be because the front part of the sole is really stiff.