I think he's running SPD SL cleats, which are three hole/ Look style, right? Not compatible with Eggbeaters cleats.

I ride both Look and traditional SPD cleats on my various steeds, and I have to say that the two sided SPD pedals are much easier to get clipped in at lights and stops and such than the 1 sided pedals. Clipping out, however, is about same, and is probably far more dependent on pedal tension than style. If anything, I find my Looks to be a much smoother disengagement. The advantage to the SPDs is that they're more forgiving because I only have to get my foot in the right spot -- the pedal is always 'right way up' where the looks are upside down about 1/3 of the time (I know it's probably an operator issue, but when you're trying to start quickly from a light, it isn't cool!)

I imagine the 4 sided egg beaters would be even simpler for clipping in, and I will likely try a set out someday (when my wife has forgotten how many pairs of pedals I own...).

As to your shoe question, from the Speedplay website (http://speedplay.com/index.cfm?fusea...me.lightaction) it appears that any 3 hole shoe will work, though I'm sure it is with some sort of adapter. A quick search of this forum's archive seems to indicate that no one makes 4 hole shoes anymore, though all the references were from 2006/2008. This article seems to indicate that there are new 4 hole compatible shoes out there, but I bet they're all extremely pricey (which may or may not be okay with you) http://www.competitivecyclist.com/re...sole_3995.html

Best of luck.