Originally Posted by FarHorizon
Since everyone's now had the chance to jump all over my "anti-clipless" stance, let me list the reasons why I HATE clipless:
Let me play devil's advocate here, since I resisted going clipless for a long time. NOTE: I am not trying to change your mind, I'm just using your post as a starting point because you had a comprehensive list of arguments very similar to mine.
1. I want to be able to bike in whatever shoes I have on
Ditto. For work I often need to wear boots, and I was reluctant to cycle in shoes and drag boots around. Eventually I decided to get pedals with a platform on one side: best of both worlds.
2. I don't climb, don't spin, and don't race
3. I live in an alluvial plain where the highest "hill" is less than fifty feet
Can't argue with that. I do spin, and find it makes long rides a lot easier.
4. I'd rather get off the bike quickly in an unforseen emergency stop
That was a big worry for me, and still is. I feel I have traded more secure footing when pedalling with less security in an emergency. Keep in mind that you don't have to clip-in every minute you ride- when I'm in heavy stop-and-go traffic I don't bother to clip in.
5. I'm "duckfooted" by nature & my feet aren't comfortable parallel to the frame
6. My hybrid bike has wide chainstays and my feet hit if parallel to the frame
You can adjust the cleats to any angle you find comfortable.
7. The clipless shoes I tried weren't wide enough for my feet
8. The clipless shoes I tried had rigid soles that I couldn't walk comfortably in
9. The clipless shoes I tried had cleats that scarred up the floors
I hear you on the width issue! Who are these shoes made for? I settled for shoes that didn't actively hurt and are just a bit too long, but for my next pair I will need to do a lot of shopping to find a wide shoe.
I balance footwear with my needs for that trip. A lot of cycling, not much walking? Bike shoes with cleats. A little cycling, a lot of walking? Normal shoes or boots. Want both? Bike shoes, and carry a pair of sandals.
Originally Posted by FarHorizon
I will say, though, that just because you love them doesn't make them the right choice for everyone.
And its important to note that no one choice will be right for everyone. I felt I needed more efficiency to be able to go farther, faster, with less effort. A few weeks into the clipless life, I really feel I have that. And let me tell you, after a long day when I have a 30min. ride home with a lot of equipment, I want the ride to be as easy as possible!