I will briefly resurrect this thread to say that I got some Shimano M520s to replace plastic clips and straps and it is a night and day difference. Skids are effortless and I don't get the pain in the ankles that comes with digging into the front of the clips on the upstroke to keep my foot from coming loose (I kept my straps loose). Thanks for all the advice on this thread. Just wanted to share this success story