I too had a mini-breakthrough. I almost always ride with clips and straps with my Sambas. But last weekend, I decided to put on the SPDs and real road shoes and go for a long training/road ride. All of a sudden, I'm getting the rear wheel off the ground and skipping for the first time. This is after almost a full year of riding fixed.

But, when I went back to the clips and straps for commuting, I couldn't do it!!! Conclusion: it's a lot easier with certain shoe/pedal setups.