Originally Posted by mattface
My Ritchey SPDs have never come off unexpectedly, so I don't consider it a problem, but they are the only clippless pedals I have experience with. Most clpless pedals do have a degree of adjustability, so if you came out unexpectedly, you might want to tighten them up a bit. I have broken a steel campy clip though. I don't get the impression that clipless fail more than clips and straps.
Even if the clip breaks you will be fine. The strap is what is crucial.
To some degree it varies on the riding style whether or not clipless work.
The bottom line is though that clipless are designed to release when a certain angle is reached -
Clips and straps aren't. Pick what feels safer.
I have seen devout advocates of clipless unclip and it was not funny.
All of them are clip and strap riders now.