To answer your original question, yes an old rookie should go clipless. This old rookie did this year with sbd pedals in case I don’t want to be clipped in. If I’m riding in areas with quite a few stops, I don’t clip in. If I’m riding quite a distance with very few stops, I’m clipped. I like being clipped as it seems more efficient when pedaling since your feet don’t move on the pedals. I really didn’t think I’d like them as much as I do, but took the plunge and glad I did.