Originally Posted by
Ironfish653
I agree with the right for you to express your opinion re: Toe Clips, and, yes, they are much cheaper, though the OP was asking about cycling specific shoes, most of which are clipless compatible, but can be used on flat pedal or with toe clips as well.
I do take issue though, that you are trying to speak some sort of 'hidden truth' about clipless pedals, which by your own admission, you've never used. 'More Maintenance, Less Reilable, and Therefore Unsafe' seems to be your case. As far as maintenance and reliability, they're one of the most durable pieces on any of my bikes. My Shimano M-535s are 25 years old, and have had 3 pairs of shoes and two bikes ridden out from under them.
Just like Toe Clips, there's a learning curve as well, and a technique to learn. Most of the anecdotal falls 'you are hearing about' are either someone who forgot to unclip until it was too late, or unclipped one foot, and when the bike stopped, it leaned to the 'wrong' side. That happened in the days of toe clips, too. Unclipping, though is a different technique than 'rolling out'of a basket, and if you try to roll out of an SPD, it wont' work any more than trying to 'kick out' from a toe clip basket.
Okay, let's take this one point at a time and avoid all general statements. I first apologize for the original post. It was not well written in a rush.
In the purchase of anything there is a cost to benefit ratio where something that costs less is of pretty good value where something that costs more is somewhat better but does it justify the extra costs. Sometimes something that costs substantially more offers significantly more value and is worth it. At one extreme you can walk into a COOP and get a heavy duty pair of nylon toe clips with a nice bevel on the toe ends to receive the curve of the shoe and double stems for comfort instead of one metal stem running right over your arch and two pair of heavy duty double leather straps that can be cut down to make four straps, one for the bike and a spare, for $3. I know because I did it. With this toe clip and strap set up you can use any shoe you have and do not have to buy a dedicated shoe and can use the pedals you already have and do not have to buy a dedicated pedal. In comparison for a high quality, dependable MTB two sided pedal and MTB shoes with the recessed mounting bolts and metal cover you can easily spend $200-$300. That is $3 for a system that is pretty efficient compared to $200-$300 for a system that may offer something else. Those are the options. Let people based on that make their own decisions, especially new riders. I am not advocating one way or the other. Those are the facts. Let them base their decision on the facts. One way or the other.
I am not trying to advocate some "Hidden Truth" and find the term resentful and condescending. I am trying to represent the facts of both systems as accurately as my experience allows so someone else can make a decision for themselves based on that. Not just hear one side of the story. I definitely get the impression rightly or wrongly that some people do not want the other side of the story told,just the Clipless side and resent it. That is not an open discussion.
I admittedly do not have a great deal of experience with MTB Clipless Pedal Systems and certainly not as not as much as you. But it is a mechanical system with an attachment mechanism, a cleated shoe and spring tension. I did not say it was not durable. I said it takes more maintenance, implying more care. The cleats have to be inspected to make sure they are straight, the spring tension has to be checked and adjusted, the right cleat has to be used for different types of riding and changed. I may have overstated this point but by its very nature as a mechanical mechanism it is going to take more maintenance and attention then a simple toe clip and strap system. Something a new rider might like to know.
As I am getting way too long here I am going to try and keep it short. No matter how you want to parse it or label it, ancedotal , there are countless accounts, (not ancedotal) actual accounts, two on this very thread who are extremely experienced riders, of riders MTB Clipless Pedals not unclipping for whatever reason and sometimes causing a dangerous situation. That is an undeniable truth. I am not making a judgement, I am just acknowledging that this information is out there and people, especially beginning riders, should consider it before they make their own personal decision. Which is more cost effective, less trouble and most safe based on factual information. It is up to them.