(just joined this forum, this is my first posting)

I just started riding again after 15-20 yrs off. Bought a new bike about a month ago and have been riding building up my strength. Really enjoying myself! I've been using old rat-trap pedals with clips and straps, with running shoes.

Back in the old days I wore leather bike shoes with fixed cleats. Later on, maybe 25 yrs ago, I had some knee problems. I bought some Puma bike shoes which had a round plastic cleat held on by one screw. By keeping that screw somewhat loose, I think I approximated what people now are calling float. Good on my knees, but always seemed like there was some pedaling inefficiency.

So now I'm ready for modern shoes and clipless pedals. The shoes I picked were Vittoria Unlimited, because they're incredibly comfortable as well as very stiff.

The pedals I'm looking at are Looks and Speedplay.

The Looks have the benefit of simplicity. But as far as I can tell there is less float and the float has some sort of spring resistance.

The Speedplays are attractive because of my history of knee problems, and because the round fit of the cleat reminds me of my old Pumas. But some of the postings I've read are stressing that they're delicate, high maintenance, and prone to hot spots. Between different models, I've been inclined toward the Zeroes because of the adjustability. But I've been concerned because it sounds like they might be harder than the X's to clip out of at a stop light.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.