Originally Posted by John E
I tried Frogs snap-in ("clipless") pedals on a training stand and likewise did not perceive enough benefit over a good set of clips, straps, and shoes to entice me to make the change.....
FWIW, not enough time to evaluate properly, IMO. Try doing some long rides, and especially climbing. The benefits that were not immediately apparent on a training stand become readily apparent after you've ridden them for a bit. At least, that's how it was for me.
I first switched from clips/straps to SPD's in spin class. After a few classes I noticed a Big Difference - They were smoother and more efficient. Moved it over to my mtb's - much nicer there, as well, and improved my climbing and control. Migrated over to the road bike, and never looked back.
I've since swapped out the SPD's for Looks on the road bike. I found that after 80-100 miles the SPD's tended to give hot-spots, and the wider platform of the Looks tended to mitigate that a great deal. I don't do a lot of walking in the shoes when I'm ouot for a long ride, so that's a non-issue for me.
That being said, I'm not sure I'd clip in if my riding was predominately urban. In that case two sided SPD/platform pedals might be just the thing, paired with a nice set of mtb shoes that had the SPD cleat nestled in between the rubber cleats on the shoe sole to take care of the walking bit.