As to the OP's topic, depending on your riding style and terrain foot retention is not mandatory with brakes, but since your speed for a particular gear is based entirely on your cadence not having the straps/cages will definitely put a cap on your safe max speed. I've been riding all winter with a front brake and bare platforms, and I have found that I need something so that I don't have to slow down so much on downhills and flats.