Bah! Look at all the pro racers and track racers: You sure as hell don't want to pull out in the middle of a sprint.

I've never pulled out of a clipless pedal.

Eggbeaters have a weird engagement- I normally use a Look style pedal- but have used SPDs, SPD-Rs, SPD-Ls. The eggs don't really "clilck" so you might not know if you are in or out- and there really isn't a tension adjustment on them. The only reason I went with eggs is they shed snow so well. I've never accidentally disengaged with them, but I'd argue they probably aren't the best pedals to cut your teeth on.

And NYC has a lot less hills than SF.

Pro rodies and pro track racers can't be compared apples to apples to road track/fixed riders
Pro racers and pro track racers ride in a predicteable usually straightish line with little surprises coming their way. (BTW a lot of track racers use clips and straps). Track racers on the track do not skip, don't go down major hills while resisting their pedals (and neither do roadies). Some of them don't even use a lockring. Now riding a track bike or fix on the street is very different. You often pull short and hard on your pedals you might have to skip or resist while doing sharp turns, when your bike is leaning etc.

Another benefit of the clips and straps is that you can change your pedalling motion by how little or far you slide into clips.

Oh, and my shoes are size 13 too. MKS LL clips fit fine.

Anyway, everyone should ride what works for them, but I still think that brakeless clipless is a bad combination.

However, If I ever buy a roadbike it will be clipless.

I pulled out of my clipless pedals once, and while not a disaster it scared me a little.
It happened downhill, and without a brake I think I would have had to go along for the ride.

Delay mentioned power grips.
That refers to the diagonal straps?
Do those require a proprietary pedal or what?
From memory they seem interesting.
I'd like to know more.

to be terse: yes

with the soles on these babies, there's no way i'd be able to walk on pavement, much less dirt. and the only times that bikes need to be walked is on unrideably steep terrain.. in which case one would relaly really really need the cleats

Funny thing, just last weekend, 46x17 was behind me when:

1 - my right foot came unclipped while skipping down a hill. Didn't hurt the beans, and I was able to make a turn onto the upcoming street without much issue. (first time it's come unclipped in like 6 months)
2 - Going through a light a guy in a jeep decided to turn right while I was right next to him. Had to cut waaaaay fast and thought I was going to lose it, but didn't.

The key to riding clipless is to always make sure your pedals are tight. Besides unclipping, the only downside to clipless is that trackstanding isn't as easy, since you're worried that if you lose it you won't be able to clip out in time. I'll take the greatly increased power transfer, even if I can't trackstand and occasionally come unclipped.

i believe you can buy the power grips separtely... my bike (used) came with power grips... i left them with the owner and swapped in cages.. they look like normal pedals to me

I've found that learning to trackstand is the best way to improve your clipping out muscle memory. ;)


But closer to Ken's original post, I know a lot of people cinch one strap down more tightly than the other, incase they can't reach down to loosen the strap in time, etc.

Is your son going to get a rifle for his birfday?

Does your town have a tower in it? Extra points if said tower is on a college campus.....

Many/most modern running shoes have rather smooth soles, so the combination of clips and running shoes could work allright. I still remember taking a rather embarrassing fall 25 years ago though, in my waffle-soled Nike Tailwinds that was all the rage back then. The car ahead of me stopped, and so did I...
Erling.

OK so I won't feel so bad about my present well-worn running shoes and cheapo clips set-up ...........

Yup, the diagonal straps. No proprietary pedal - they should work with any pedal to which you can attach clips & straps.