i've raced with clipless pedals since i was 16 (i'm 23 now). as long as you are a proficient rider with platform pedals, you'll be fine with clipless. believe me, if you need to get outof the pedals, you will! i second the notion for time atac pedals. i've never used the z pedals, but i've used the regular atacs for quite some time and i love them.