I just started using some Clips and Straps for the first time, they are great. However, is there a quick and easy way of getting your feet in the pedals? I find my self struggling and looking down trying to swing the pedal in the right position. Will it just come from practice?

yes it will, don't look down

I've run both eggbeaters and candys for close to 2 years now and never accidently pulled out of either. I used the shims on my shoes (so didn't have to trim anything) and have never had a problem. I would think problems would relate to either worn cleats or not using the shims (especially on MTB shoes) to lift the cleat a little and it may not be engaging properly.

I used toeclips for over a decade before switching and clipless rules for commuting and longer rides. for shorter rides and trips out shopping etc toeclips are good cos you don't have to change shoes. But Candys do give you enough of a platform so you can still ride them with sneakers.

Even with the shims, I still had a little bit of shoe-interference until my soles wore down a bit. On regular old eggbeaters, even.

Just got these Specialized Sonoma 2 today. Unfortunately I haven't installed the SPD cleats so I can't speak for their performance on the bike, but from just walking around in my apartment they have been extermely comfortable. The ball of the sole is reinforced and considerably more rigid than typical casual shoes, so I'm confident that they will be just as strong while clipped in.

I have spent most of the evening looking for shoes similar to the Sonoma 2, and there does seem to be a hole in this area of the market -- that is, shoes that are comfortable on and off the bike, and look hip and smart but are practical for clipless riding.

Obviously, I much prefer riding clipless to any clip/strap/PowerGrip setup, as do approximately 50% of the people on this thread. I've also considered a typical MTB shoe like SIDI, but they are crazy expensive and I have never worn them. I could not imagine they are as comfortable as something like the Sonoma. I'll post an update when I get them cleated.

Anyone have some input on walking/standing around in the SIDIs?

As I've said before... SIDIs are sex for your feet! Once you go SIDI you never go back!

Don't buy the $50 eggbeaters. They are terrible. I never had problems on my higher level candies, but when I switched to the cheap eggbeaters, (for fashion purposes alone, mind you) I unclipped all over the place. I have since switched back to the candys, and now back to clips/straps, for various reasons.

I have, ride, and love both. I find that the appeal is different for both. For actually going places, not just riding around, I definitely prefer clips and straps. I have both Pearl Izumi and Sidi clipless shoes and both are great, but if I'm going to the store, going out to take photos, or whatever else that's going to mean I'm going to spend at least as much time off the bike as on, I'd prefer my Onitsuka Tigers. Frankly, I also like to run around, climb things, etc, and that just goes better with sneakers. I mean really, have you ever tried to climb a tree in clipless shoes?

Overall, the biggest gains in performance come from going from platforms or strapless clips (the worthless kind) to either clips and straps or clipless. I see a much, much smaller difference in performance between clipless and clips/straps. If you want the highest performance in terms of power transfer, just go for clipless. However, it's not really fair to say you get so much less with clips and straps that it's a big disadvantage. A truly good clips/straps setup will give you most of the power transfer and security of a good clipless setup. Some will debate this, but I have come to this through critical evaluation and experimentation of both kinds of systems, so I stand firm on this point.

When I say good clips and straps setup, I mean good, comfortable pedals, properly-sized METAL toe clips, and double toe straps. Double straps are probably the single biggest factor when it comes to comfort, security, and power transfer with this sort of setup. Running two sets of singles with some sort of device to keep them where you want them has the same overall effect. To that end, I will take this opportunity to shamelessly plug my little invention:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/167/4...2031af7be2.jpg

Click on the picture or the link in my signature to find out how to make your own.

Using this setup, I get great security and power transfer and fantastic foot comfort both on and off the bike. Hands down the best overall system for city riding I've devised yet.

just curious if this statement is a way of adding authority to your personal experience

or if you actually conducted experiments that can be described

No, it's for real. I'm a terminal tinkerer, and I've probably been through twenty different arrangements of clips and straps as well as four or five different sets of clipless pedals in the last few years, so I've had plenty of time to experiment.