Hi. I tried a Shimano SPD system last year. Within weeks, my knee pain was severe. I adjusted cleats till I was blue in the face. Gave up and put MKS touring pedals and half clips on my road bike. Pain free every since.

I'd like to try clipless again. Our group rides are faster and faster, and while I'm hanging, I'd like to think I'd be more efficient if I were properly shod.

I'm coming to think that the reason I had pain is that I had so little wiggle room. I shift my feet on the flat pedal constantly. I also know that SPD's I had only had 4 degrees of float.

I know that eggbeaters have 6 degrees.
I've seen some shimano road pedals that look like the 'look' pedals that have 11 degrees of float.
I've seen the speedplays with 25 degrees of float (I wish these things didn't cost 125 dollars).

I've also found a pedal called bebop that has alot of float.

The road pedals would be the cheapest for me, and that is a concern. Would that 11 degree of float be sufficient? Can someone link me to a good budget set? Or should I save for the speedplays.