I've been wondering about the same sort of stuff. I started using cilps w/ straps on a mountain bike 20 years ago & generally feel like I'm missing something and unsafe w/o toe clips. Now that I've been recently getting back into cycling more seriously, have added some road bikes to my collection, etc., I'm looking at the pedal/shoe setups folks have & I'm confused. Is there a style that's pretty decent (which is good enough - I'm not racing) for both road bike and mountain (or, more correctly - urban ATB) riding? Right now, I'm just swapping my 20 year old toe clip cages from bike to bike.....a temporary solution while i educate myself.