Before my eyes were opened regarding 'clipless' pedals, I used a platform pedal. To keep from slipping off of them (relatively speaking, compared to "regular" shoes), I wore a pair of cross-country running spikes. Now, that I know better--clipless! I'll never go back; much more efficient--and I've also trained myself in the proper way to mount and dismount the bike (see http://sheldonbrown.com/starting.html ), I'm no longer afraid of clipless pedals and cleated shoes--I have a pair of Vagabonds--or of raising my seat as high as I need it to be, because I no longer try to stay on the saddle at traffic control devices, tippie-toed on one leg to stay balanced.

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