If the OP's Torpado wasn't converted to Looks BITD, it would have been ridden with slot cleat cycling shoes. Either way you're locked in, and frankly the clips/straps/cleats system is more locked in. It sounds a little strange to me when people say they went back to cages because they are less locked in, but I guess I can see that from a modern perspective.

People didn't generally buy fancy bikes and then ride them in sneakers. It'd have been considered a waste. The general wisdom was the shoes made as much difference as the bike.