OP, I was also pretty underwhelmed when I first went clipless. (Never mind all the fallovers at stops. lol.) But I kept with it for a couple of years, and just stopped noticing it.

Then I got a fat bike--which I ride with platforms--and realized that being clipped in not only felt more efficient for me, but also felt far more secure--as in not worrying about my foot coming off the pedal if I hit an unexpected bump, or whatever, and being able to spin higher cadences without risk of same. Yes, I realized I no longer even *liked* riding platforms anymore!

Also, high cadences are much smoother with clipless.


I'd never go back to platforms or straps.