Originally Posted by
ShannonM
I really, really prefer retention. It's a feel thing, but it's been a consistent feel thing since I put toe clips on my Huffy 10 speed in 1985. I bought my first pair of clipless pedals in late '88 or '89. I've put PowerGrips on every MTB I've ever owned.
Also, I disagree that clips and straps are inherently more dangerous. Even with slotted cleats and snug straps, I've never crashed because of them, and when I did crash, I came all the way out of both pedals every time. The only time I've ever been stuck to the pedal was with a clipless pedal... SR / Sampsons, one of the worst clipless pedals ever made, to be sure, but still. Are clips & straps a bit trickier and way less convenient? Yes. Measurably less safe? I'm not persuaded.
--Shannon
You have been lucky then or you must leave things quite loose. Sampsons were pretty bad from all reports but every clipless pedal I have used provides excellent retention with super easy exit when needed. However with my platforms I have decent enough retention for most things (can't pull up) without anything encumbering my foot.