I recently went through this same line of problems...New Road Bike...to clip or not to clip...etc. Back in my younger days, I wanted to get to the point of clips and straps, never found the nerve; so it was on my Bucket List with the return to cycling. I researched the topic a bunch, and what I finally decided on was an SPD style shoe and pedal that didn't look so mountain bikey...(not that it matters). For shoes I went with the Shimano SH-RT82. These may even BE a road shoe but they do accept a recessed SPD cleat and are walkable. Highly considered the Chrome Kursk Pros for the same reason of walking ability, but the Shimanos were more specific to task. For pedals, (I can't believe somebody hasn't suggested these by now - maybe I'm the first to try them on this forum), SHIMANO CLICK'Rs. Watch the videos on the Shimano site or YouTube...they do work exactly as shown. Some reviews have said that unclipping may be, in fact, too easy on the easiest setting. I started on these at about 1/4 of their total tension and they have been great. Clip in your strong foot, push off and pedal normally...the other foot will seat within a revolution or two. Unclipping is attained by outward heel motion in a level or upward/angular direction, (natural foot removal pretty much standardized). I practiced in a hallway for a little while, put them on my old bike and went to a parking lot. Only once did I nearly fall, (forgot that I was wearing them), but still managed to get a foot out and down to catch myself. They are intended to help with transition to clipless, and provide an option for commuters that don't want or need full on roadie gear. Still wanna get a little more experience before moving them to the new bike - but for confidence inspiring, and being able to move seamlessly to the more effective method...they are indeed fantastic. Feel like I may just stick with these for some time to come, just keep snugging the tension down as my experience increases. My wife is even considering them a little bit, and she really lacks confidence on a bike. One thing that really hit home with me was this: While removing all the goofy warning labels from my new road bike, I found one on the crank arm that I just had to leave on as a reminder. Sized roughly 1/2"x 1-1/4" it reads "This bicycle is to be equipped with pedals that have a positive foot-retaining device such as toe-clips or clipless-type pedals". I love the fact that my new Trek has come with its own factory applied, small but effective, HTFU message. Wedgie