Originally Posted by
AdamDZ
Let me add to the flooding then...
The benefit of clipless for such relatively short commute will be negligible. Heck, the benefits of clipless pedals over flat ones are generally negligible unless you're a racer or religiously believe that clipless make you a better cyclist (they don't, BTW). You may even find them annoying if you have to stop often. However, if you insist on being cool and commute with clipless then get SPDs pedals. As already said: they're easier to clip in an out and the shoes are actually walkable.
Obviously, you've been doing something terribly wrong. People toured the world with flat pedals and made it out just fine. It's not in the pedals, it's in your head. Or you had really crappy pedals
An anecdote at best. I commuted with flat pedals in rain, snow, sludge, been splashed by cars and never ever, even once slipped. You just need the right platform pedals.
Unless you fail to unclip in traffic then you may be really sorry.
It's possible I had crappy pedals. I would constantly slip when coming out of a stop and winded up battering my shins/heel pretty bad. I've yet to have a problem unclipping in traffic. I fell once while learning in my driveway and it's become pretty second nature at this point. I like being attached to the bike, it's a good feeling and makes for a less stressful ride for me. Toe clips just didn't do much for me and ended up being more problematic at times because it was awkward to detach. Obviously people have used platforms successfully over the years, I have just become so accustomed to clipless that it's kind of challenging to ride on platforms/toe clips nowadays.
I feel that clipless has bettered my acceleration and made me feel more secure. I don't like the idea of hitting a large bump and my feet "leaving the pedals." I wish there was a way to actually clone myself and have the same bike one with clipless and one with platforms. I would probably bet the clipless would win - especially if hills were involved.