I dismantled my clipless pedals and returned back my original Giant platforms.

It seems to me, that when I pull the clipless pedal up, I press myself even more in the saddle.

But when I push platforms down I alleviate the pressure.

Generally, I noticed that I enjoy cycling more on the platforms.

I am a traitor to but only in the winter when conditions tell me I need a fast escape.Ride with the pedals you feel most confident on.

I still prefer clipless...even on tight, sick technical trails...

I don't think I'd want to be clipped in on ladders, teeters, etc. though.

The downside to clipless I've found is when your stable platform is of limited real-estate and you have to make the choice between you and your bike. With platform pedals, you can simply discard the bike to one side or another. With clipless, it's a little harder as you have to first remove yourself from the bike which can most often use up that precious real-estate or there's simply no wiggle-room from which to work with in order to execute a dismount.

I havn't gone clipless either because I fear falling off log bridges etc. while clipped in, but I'm going to give Time Control Z's a shot. Hopefully I didn't waste 85 bucks.

I remain a friction-shifting, toeclipped (aluminum Campag. on the Bianchi) retrogrouch.

Just as long as you haven't got cleats nailed to the bottom of your shoes....

Clipless pedals go way back to the century before last. There is a museum in Canberra with some cool website info on historical stuff, but you will have to search for it yourself.