At the risk of turning this into YAHBT*, is there *any* reason, other than fashion, that clips & straps are so popular amongst the fixed-gear set?

I feel like maybe there's something I'm missing, but I made the switch to clipless pedals from clips and straps on my mountain bike in the early 90s and have never looked back. I remember what a PITA clips and straps were, compared to the ease of clipless, and have no desire to go back to dealing with that whole mess.

There are plenty of SPD compatible shoes on the market that look virtually indistinguishable from a pair of skate shoes, or casual tennis shoes, and that I can wear into the local bar or grocery store and people won't take a second glance at my shoes.

But then, my wardrobe consists mostly of jeans, dickies, t-shirts and skate/surf style shorts. I'm not exactly on the cutting edge of fashion.

-Trevor

* Yet Another Hipster Bashing Thread