whether or not you "need" foot retention depends on whether you are riding fixed or single speed with a free wheel. Most people here will say you absolutely need it if riding fixed a day I agree. It's possible to ride fixed without it but if you ride fast and on downhills you are eventually going to get bucked off the pedals if your feet aren't attached so it becomes a safety issue. personally, once I switched to clipless I could not imagine riding any other way on any bike