I rode with them, and even raced [once] with toe clips up until '93. I couldn't ride with any shoe I wanted to, since the clip part only allowed a certain depth of shoe to fit in snugly, but other than that, they were okay. Oh, except for the shin and calf gouging caused by missing the pedals from time to time. I had to switch back to toe clips in '97 because the sole of my clipless shoes ripped off. The only reason I wasn't the last guy up every climb was through sheer force of will and some pretty stellar fitness. As soon as I got new shoes, I abandoned the clip/strap for good. If I don't want to ride in my clipless shoes, I just ride on the SPD's. It's pretty easy.