I have been riding bikes for 30 years, and believe it or not have never owned or tried a clip or clip-less pedal. My foot has never slipped off the stock platform pedals, and I know how to place the ball of my foot properly on the pedal with no pains. No problems. so why do I need to spend $200 on a fix?

However in a case of “I don’t know what I have been missing” I am breaking down and looking into it. I have a “Dual Sport” hybrid, and ride reasonable trails as well as road, sometimes on my own going full out, sometimes with the 8 year old where I am stopping all the time waiting for her to catch up. Nothing hard core.

So, opinions from like minded cyclers?

Anybody want to talk me out of it? Anybody tried and went back to platform pedals?

I am debating between “dual platform/SPD” vs “two sided SPD/SPD”. Once you have SPD, would you ever use normal shoes? For the dual ones, is flipping to the correct side a big annoyance?

Any opinions on the gentler Shimano click’R system, vs regular SPD? Some say it is the next revolution, other say it is for wusses and you will upgrade sooner or later. Are the click’R branded shoes much more comfortable or low performance?

Is there a big difference between the cheapest SPD pedals, and better ones for moderate use?

Any other advise?

Thanks!