Originally Posted by Tightwad
This is the main & only reason I will NOT use clips. I simply can't afford to be "tied" to my bike
in a fall. Sure clips are fine if you really NEED to capture all the energy your legs are making
but for the rest of us in the real world flat pedals are fine ....thank you.
It's more than just capturing energy. I have bad knees and there's no way I could spin at a reasonable cadence without being clipped in. And without a higher cadence, my knees would hurt. Also, I wouldn't have the confidence going downhill quickly without being clipped in... I'd be afraid of my foot slipping off. Probably wouldn't happen, but there ya go. Lastly, after riding them for just a bit, clipping out quickly becomes second nature. You notice this more mtb when you have to jump off.
Don't let the fear of being clipped in stop you from trying 'em. Ask the shop to set the tension really loose when you first try 'em.