Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 12,538
Likes: 791
From: Middle of da Mitten
Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Catrike Speed
There's nothing wrong with clips and straps for starting out. Get some mountain bike shoes to go with them. That way you'll get nice stiff soles to prevent hotfoot and tired feet, and if you ever decide to go clipless and buy some SPD pedals, the pedals will come with cleats that you can install on the shoes you already have.