Today, I took my new Shimano PD-M530 pedals and Giro Junction shoes on a 29 mile test ride. Man, am I happy I switched. The pedals are extremely well constructed featuring clips on both sides of the pedal. The shoes are very comfortable both on and off the bike. I had been riding with toe clip/straps for the past eight months. Actually, I think that may have helped transitioning to the clipless as I still needed to take that extra second to slide my foot out of the toe clip and was used to using my right foot as dominant. Clipping out is extremely easy. It is actually harder clipping in, only because I need more practice lining up the cleats with the clips. I would recommend these pedals and shoes to anyone looking to go clipless and not wanting to spend hundreds of dollars.

Glad you are happy. There is a reason for most cycling specific equipment- it works!

Have you fallen over yet?

It took me at least three months to stop falling over. I always started my rides in front of my neighbors house for just that reason. Minimize the laughter

We've all been there (falling over clipped in) and done that! :-)

Don't speak for all of us

You honestly have not ever fallen down clipping in or out of pedals?

Never on a road bike. Started with Look pedalsin 1986

I occasionally fall over upon forgetting that I'm using toe clips.

No
I was deep into cycling long before I got clipless, and was riding clips before that.

I can see how that's different from a middle aged person getting on a bike for the first time since grade school and buying the whole kit and kaboodle at once.

Never. Other than weird mechanical failures, I feel like clipless falls happen when the period of self-consciousness (and not wanting to look stupid from falling over) doesn't quite overlap the time when experience makes clipping in and out second nature. I really didn't want to look stupid falling over so I had a pretty good overlap.

So far, no. Yesterday's ride was strictly back road rural. I didn't want to be too concerned about traffic. This morning I road 33 miles, over half being in town. No problems. I think have ridden with toe clips sort of prepared me. With toe clips, I had to take that moment to slide out my foot when stopping. I also practice clipping and unclipping during my ride while on the go.

Agreed. I still don't get all the horror stories when it comes to clipless pedals. I started right out the gate using clipless and have never fallen. I practiced by holding myself up in a door frame and clipping in and out. I spent about a half hour in an empty parking lot riding around and simulating emergency stops and away I went.

I made the mistake of taking up mtn biking and clipless at the same time. Several falls and numerous moments of panic. I can't remember a fall since I went to road bikes.