Originally Posted by
kickstart
I use platforms, clips, and clipless on different bikes for different conditions. If I were limited to one choice, it would be pinned platforms as they provide most of the virtues of foot retention with greater versatility.
Personally, the main advantages of no foot retention is one can wear any type of footwear with the ability to effortlessly get on and go. The main disadvantages of no foot retention is the extra effort to position a pedal for starting off, and some loss of efficiency under certain conditions.
The only way to know whats best for you is to try.
+1
There are 3 bikes I'm using right now though one is technically my wife's. One has platforms, one has campus pedals (clipless on one side, platform on the other), and the road bike has straight clipless.
The winter bike has pinned platforms to provide reasonable grip while still letting me put my foot down in a hurry. The fixed gear has campus pedals so I can enjoy the benefits of clipless when circumstances allow or wear regular shoes if clipless shoes would be a problem (they aren't for commuting).
The road bike has road pedals because they provide more support than SPDs and I have fewer problems with my feet going numb on long hard rides.