I used to have Time ATACs on all of my bikes. They work great and after using them for about the last 10 years, I can get in and out of them without even so much as thinking about it. About a month ago I put a set of Grip Kings on my SS commuter/all-purpose bike. I got tired of having to change into cleated shoes every time I needed to run to the store, and having to wear my cleated shoes to work and change into "regular" shoes when I get here every day, and clacking around the office/store, etc., etc... I had tried switching to platforms a couple of years ago by putting a set of MKS touring pedals on the same bike. I didn't really give it a chance. I just decided it sucked right away and put the ATACs back on.

After having ridden the Grip Kings for about the last month, I've decided that (at least for me) the actual perfomance gains you get from using clipless pedals are virtually nil. I'm convinced that "riding free" forces a smoother spin because your feet aren't being "pulled" around by the cranks. I'm thinking about putting GK's on my touring bike now too. I think I'll leave the ATACs on my MTB because I really think that when you're riding really rough off-road trails, there's a real benefit to having your feet firmly connected to your pedals (i.e. your feet don't fly off the pedals). I think for recumbents and fixies, clipless might be the way to go too. I really think riding free is better for general riding though (for me anyway).

I think a lot of folks get clipless pedals when they become "serious" about riding and buy their first "real" bike. They become sold on the idea that clipless pedals are providing big performance benefits and in reality they're just becoming better, more efficient riders. That and they're on a good bike that actually fits them properly. But they just become "sold" on the clipless thing. Anyway, just my $0.02.