To me, it depends on if someone KNOWS they want clipless or if they just want to give them a shot. I picked my pedals up on sale for $25. I wasn't sure if I'd like them and I couldn't be happier to: 1) go clipless and 2) have purchased these pedals that work just as they should for such a bargain. My ONLY gripe is they are a bit heavy, but they are fine for now.
To each his/her own. Just trying to offer advice from a different point of view.
Point excepted. However in my mom's case who is scared to try new things, clipless being one of them, got so furstrated with them, she threw on her old toe strap platforms, and what a shame because she has a Nice CF Specialized Ruby bike