Very interesting thread. I have been using toe clips since 1973 and would not care if clipless had ever been invented.
But ..., now that they have, I am buying clipless pedals and corresponding shoes when I buy my new road bike. (Is this not further proof that our economy is supply-side?)
On my typical ride from my house, I ride north a couple of miles through town and continue on to reach the country roads. I very much want to have the capability to ride not-clipped-in in traffic through town and be able to accelerate quickly from stopped at traffic lights. On my way back I often make a few stops in town for coffee, snacks or whatever and want to be riding not-clipped-in again.
I also want to be able to jump on the bike with my tennis shoes and take short rides in the neighborhood when I get invites for beer at friends' houses.
One thing in the discussion that is not clear to me, can I do this clipless riding with any SPD pedal such as
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...41_-1___000000 ?
Or do I need a true two-sided SPD pedal such as
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...551_1103839_-1 ?
If you recommend a pedal, I am interested to know which direction gravity causes the SPD side to face naturally when your foot is not on the pedal.
Thanks.