Going back to unclipped (cages) from clips

[skywalkerbeth]

Hello

The thread from yesterday articulated what I've been thinking since I went clipless: this seems to be adding a subtle layer of uneasiness to my morning rides. I've fallen twice, left side, and the second fall was definitely because I could not get my foot out in time - and I was preparing for a left side dismount, this wasn't a sudden surprise stop.

How many of you tried clips and decided against committing to them and went back to either cages or platforms? I'm debating this and I'd like to hear from others who switched back and what they thought. I know I can give this more time, but I have friends who ride pretty seriously (meaning weekends devoted to riding, mini triathlons, etc) and went to clips a few years ago and they still feel uneasy with them.

I REALLY don't want platforms, but I'm starting to think I want to go back to a cage. It's kind of a middle ground I think - I do not tighten the cages, they are just there and offer some sort of upward resistance when my shoes hits them so I'm unlikely to have my foot slide off the pedal. I can get in and out quickly. I realize my feet aren't going to be planted in the same spot if I change back.

I'm fine using the clipless when I'm moving (for the most part) but I'm always aware that something may come up that will make getting my feet down quickly a necessity and I'm still just not confident about that - not yet, and who knows if ever. Controlled things (meaning stop signs) are bad enough and those are the easiest... what about stopping or starting on a hill, for instance. Or a surprise. I dread each and every stop sign when I see it coming, and as my rides get longer I am going to encounter more of them. I think I'm afraid of somehow losing momentum as I cross the street and fall IN the street!

All the reasons for the clips I'm not seeing yet. It hasn't made me faster, that I can tell. What will make me faster is more riding. Everyone has said "clips are so much safer" which I think is plain and simply horse puckey.

I am not confident that I'm not going to end up getting hurt before this is all over, and the entire reason I want to ride is to get in better shape and enjoy myself - and my goal is this century ride three months off. I don't care how fast I finish this century, I just want to finish it.

Dunno. I know this sounds like a lot of rationalizing... I feel kind of wussy about it...

[ny biker]

If you don't like them, take them off. Nothing to think about. You can always try again at a later date if you feel like it.

[Rchan]

I went clipless in January of this year, and most the time I thought I liked them. But I had a total of 4 falls. 2 the first day trying to stop (newbie falls), 1 on an 18% grade I could not sustain, and was going too slow to be able to get out of the pedals, and simply fell in slow motion trying to unclip. First 3 falls I had only bruising. Mother's Day, however, in a downpour, in a gentle turn my tires slipped abruptly, I heard a "pop, pop" before I even hit the ground, and I tore my ACL and MCL, entirely due to the clips not unclipping. I have switched out my shoes and pedals, had to wait 6 weeks to get back on my bike, tho I did use my trainer, and now, I even have a faster average than I did before my injury, which seems unreal. I thought I had read everything related to cycling, but I have since found out that women tear their ACL 10 x as often as men. I think they are dangerous. Everyone has their own comfort level, skills, etc, but no more clips for me ever!

[KnottedYet]

I liked my Frogs quite a lot. Passive release, extremely easy to use.

What I didn't like was having to change shoes just to ride my bike, and not being able to shift my foot placement on a whim.

They gained me about 1 mph, but overall I didn't feel they were worth the hassle. I felt fine and safe and not clumsy with them, they were just a hassle for the kind of riding I do most.

All my bikes have pinned BMX pedals, which I adore. (I am such a geek, that I even have a box of spare pins in 2 different lengths and play with my pin pattern and pin heights.)

I also have a long-handled pedal wrench. I highly recommend getting a wrench with an extra-long handle, it makes a HUGE difference. Even I, wonder-wuss that I am, can get my pedals on and off by myself whenever I want to switch them around.

A collection of pedals, a long-handled pedal wrench, and you can Rule the World! :D

[wackyjacky1]

I recently switched to BMX-style platforms and LOVE them. (Read thread here (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=42905).)

Caveat: I never did clipless (they scared me, shoes+pedals always felt too expensive for my budget, and they didn't seem necessary for my fairly casual riding/commuting style) so I can't speak from experience in that department. I went from cages to platforms and have absolutely no regrets.

[roadie gal]

I think the cages are more dangerous than the clipless pedals because they tend to grab your feet more if you fall, but going back to platforms is certainly your choice if you don't enjoy being clipped in.

[divingbiker]

I'm clipless on all my bikes now, but used these mini toe clips (http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_175294_-1_201521_10000_202532) for years on my commuter. I'm not comfortable in cages with straps.

[skywalkerbeth]

Hi everyone

Thanks, I think I'm going to do it. For now. I have the clips and shoes, I can always go back if I want. Now I just have to find the pedals with the "clips" on them!

I do not strap myself in. It's merely a cage.

Diving biker, the mini clips you show is what they look like, however, the LBS put the straps around them - I could easily remove them and just have those mini clips remain.

What shoes should I wear? Should I just take the clip component off my new Bontragers or just go back to sneakers?

[laura*]

I too went back to clips/cages after trying clipless. For me, the bigger issue was being unable to "clip in" in a reasonable distance.

However, the deciding event was when the front of my bike dropped off a trail into a pit. A pedal was actually resting on the ground - and I was balancing one-legged on that pedal. I couldn't unclip by pulling up 'cause I was standing on only that leg, and I couldn't unclip by turning my foot 'cause the ground blocked my ankle.

[Koronin]

My mountain bike has platforms and my road bike has the pedals that are clipless on one side and platforms on the other side. I have not had any issues at all clipping in and unclipping with my left foot, but do have issues getting my right foot unclipped. So part of the time I ride with the right food on the platform side and the left foot clipped in.

[Catrin]

I am with Knotted on this, I LOVE my Frogs and I also really like my Sun Ringle Zuzu BMX pedals. You can certainly ride a good quality set of platforms pedals for a gazillion miles without being attached to anything.

I am only riding Frogs on the road because my knees really need that attachment - and the Frogs have the right amount of float for me. If I don't clip in then my knees hurt after the ride. If I clip in, they don't :) I strongly dislike the pedals that have platform on one side and a clip on the other - but some people like them. I use BMX pedals on my mountain bike and will for the forseeable future - I am far from being skilled enough to add that to the mix.

In the end you need to do what makes you feel safe and confident. Personally I wouldn't go with cages or mini-cages and just stick with good platforms - but you are the one who needs to make that decision.

[Jolt]

Caveat: I never did clipless (they scared me, shoes+pedals always felt too expensive for my budget, and they didn't seem necessary for my fairly casual riding/commuting style) so I can't speak from experience in that department. I went from cages to platforms and have absolutely no regrets.

You sound just like me... I find the thought of the whole clipless thing scary as heck and impractical for errand riding around town, plus am not a fan of having to have special shoes (that I wouldn't be able to walk in when I get off the bike to do whatever). I'm sure they help with speed, which I certainly could use help with, but the safety issues outweigh that advantage for me. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who continues to use platforms.

[luv2climb]

I use toe clips and straps on all my bikes. They are more efficient than platforms because I can pull up, which really helps on climbs. I also like the fact that my feet can't accidentally slip off the pedals, especially when it's wet out.

20 years ago I used clipless on my road and mountain bikes. I had several low-speed crashes on and off road. I used Shimano SPD pedals and shoes, so I could at least walk normally, but it's still an expense I'm not willing to deal with now, especially since I have 10 bikes. No way am I putting clipless on all of them! Besides, I like not having to worry about those clipless crashes anymore.

[sundial]

I like the freedom of platforms. You can shift your foot on the pedal and do so with any shoe of your choice. And should you have a mechanical, it's much easier to walk with regular shoes than the stiff road bike shoes.

[Biciclista]

Of course, clips like SPD's can be made very loose so the ACL doesn't get hurt!
however, if you like cages, get cages.
We have a house guest at our place right now that just rode her bike from Maine to Seattle.
She has cages on her pedals.

[skywalkerbeth]

Hi everyone thanks again for all the great feedback.

An update:

I got my old mountain bike serviced this weekend. It has cages. I hadn't ridden it in ages because it needed a tuneup/new tubes.

I took it out tonight. I paid attention to my dismount. Oddly enough - I only dismount naturally on the right side anyway. I thought I was "forcing" myself to do the right side because it felt odd but no, that's the side I favor. This is, again, the cages not clipless tonight.

Dismounting on the left side felt very ungainly although I wonder now if it's because of 6-8 rides with the clipless/dismounting on the right only. Probably not because I rode that thing for years before, I can't believe I'd unlearn something in a handful of rides.

What is different is how I am approaching the stop though. I have my left foot down, right foot up.... I am coasting with the left foot down... then in one smooth motion the right foot moves forward a little, comes out, and then down. This is opposite of what I do now which is the right foot has to be down for me to unclip.

Interesting...

[trista]

I rode with SPDs on my road bike for 1 season and decided to go back to platforms. Maybe frogs would have been better for me, or some other system, but it was SPDs I tried and they didn't work for me so I decided I wanted to ride free.

For me, clipless is really dangerous. I had one fall that was extremly painful, leaving me with a humongous bruise on my hip and limping for days. Plus I just do not like the idea of being attached to the bike if something were to happen.

I prefer riding free because I want to be able to move my feet around. I want to select my shoes on a whim. I can wear running shoes to ride to the track for a run... or my sandles to ride to the pool for a swim.

When I switched back to platforms, my speed & calorie burn didn't change, so I figure it wasn't worth the risk anyway.

[Geonz]

On my commuter bike, I've got toe clips with no straps. I've never done clipless - one more thing to forget... the cost...
Another option would be to get on a trainer and practice the getting on and off routine 'til it becomes motor memory.
On my go-faster bike I've got clips and straps adn they work fine for me.
If you go back to cages, you can always change your mind.

[Owlie]

Clipless, IMHO, is completely not worth it on a commute/errand bike or if you ride in urban areas. There's not enough open road to get the benefits of clipless, but you get all the hassles of having to clip in and out, and you have to do it more often. Plus the shoe thing. I use SPDs, so I can walk around just fine, but it would necessitate bringing a second pair of shoes.

I'd put clipless on a fun-only road bike in a heartbeat, but probably just BMX pedals on an errand bike. I should add, though, that I went straight from platforms to clipless. The movement necessary to get out of cages is not exactly intuitive for me, and would probably have been more dangerous.

[ZenBiker]

I agree there's no real need for clipless for most commuter/errand bikes (though there are some folks with long enough commutes to be an exception!). I chose to be clipless on both my road and commuter bike just because I want clipping out to be pure reflex. I don't want my brain to have to jump through the "which bike am I on?" hoop before reacting in a tight spot. Others may have more nimble minds. :D Plus having gotten comfortable with clipless, I do prefer them to platforms now even on short trips. But preferring and needing are two different things, and no one needs to feel like they have to use clipless.

[featuretile]

I use platforms with half toe clips (no strap). They are easy to get into and feel like there is nothing obstructing getting out. I have never fallen because I could not get out, so I don't have any anxiety. I also tore my ACL skiing some years ago, and don't want to risk re-injury.

First, I used plain athletic shoes, but people in the club kept telling me about how much more power you have with a stiff sole. So, I bought a pair of cycling shoes at a PI outlet store and use them with the half toe clips, but no cleat. It is also easier to walk in them. The mountain bike soles are a little too thick to fit well in the half toe clips. Anyway, that worked even better then the athletic shoes. So, that's my recommendation.

[ciao_bella]

I use platforms with these mini-toe clips by zefal:

http://www.zefal.com/zefal/produit.php?key=45

They cost around 8 dollars.

I have never fallen with these, and I can wear my regular shoes.

Ciao

[hulagirl]

It's a personal preference. If you don't feel safe, don't wear them. I, however, would not feel safe with cages. And it's also dangerous to others when someone that has clips is riding them and keeps clipping out way too early in a panic. They slow the group down behind them and things can get sketchy.

On my road/racing bike I have SpeedPlay Light Action that I wear with carbon sole SIDI shoes. Do they make me faster? Well, I used to have SPD pedals and mtn bike shoes and I can say that they are more efficient. I go faster with less energy loss and foot fatigue with a pedal/shoe designed for racing.

I just put Speedplay Drilliums (SUPER BIG platforms with spikes!) on my Bike Friday. I use this bike for tooling around town and running errands. The wide platform doesn't lose as much energy and my feet don't hurt as much. I can wear any shoe type and be ok.

I do have Light Actions for that bike too. And for longer rides I prefer them. Do I feel safer in them? I do yes. But I like to be able to react quickly to something - bunny hopping clipped in is easier for me - and I just don't have to work as hard in clips. My pedal stroke is more efficient because I can pull up as well as push down.

I developed this preference as my ability and confidence grew. So do what you like and what you feel safe in. You can always change later.

Denise

[tzvia]

Very much a personal choice. We each have to find our comfort zone. My first serous road bike back around '79 (a Raleigh) came with Campy Victory pedals with toe clips and leather straps. Hated them but slogged through learning how to flip the pedals over and get my feet in, tighten straps, loosen straps, pull out foot... UUUGGGGHHHH.

When I heard there were pedals that held your foot without cages in the 80s it was like a GOD-RAY had shined down from the heavens and struck my head! No more cages... So I bought the original LOOK pedals. That started me on the road to finding the best clipless pedals for me and when I found Speedplay in the late 90s I had found them. Still ride with X-1s. I can't imagine ever wanting the hell of cages again ever, straps or no.

When I bought my first MTB in '96 I put the first SPD XTR pedals on them and rode clipless from the first ride.

My utter hatred of cages, flipping the pedals over and those straps forced me to make clipless work at all costs. Yes I fell over, and yes I dusted myself off and kept going. Now it's second nature. I even use CB Candys on my commuter-it's a non issue to clip out and in at every light and stop.

So everyone has to find their comfortable spot- clips, rattrap pedals, SPDs, whaever. There are trade-offs with all. It's not about image, looking dorky or whatever if clipless is not for you, it's about being confident, comfortable and safe on the bike.

[skywalkerbeth]

Just an update:

It was toodamnhot to ride outside last weekend so I spent some time at the gym. Not "enough" but better than doing nothing.

Yesterday I did a spinning class and yoga. I'm definitely adding the yoga to my weekly rotation!

Anyway:

I took my bike in y'day to get the speedplays off and the cages back on. As mentioned, I DO NOT tighten the straps. I also bought new shoes. Specialized Tahoe. I could actually WALK in these things if I wanted to, wow.

This morning I rode 30 miles with them. So glad I took the clipless off. Much more comfortable/the anxiety is gone.

I should mention I do get some benefit from the cage. I didn't realize this before, but I'm not merely mashing the pedals. A few times I took off with the cages down (to get going before flipping them) and I felt like my feet were going to come off the pedal. I'm definitely using the upper part of the cage to help me lift and not just mash.

[KnottedYet]

Did you get a pedal wrench?

Seriously, buy a pedal wrench with a long handle. Then you can change pedals at your whim. It's quite easy to do!

Every woman should have her own pedal wrench and know how to use it.

[Velocivixen]

Hi Skywalkerbeth. I've been reading this thread hoping you would update. My first and only cycling shoes were bought a few months ago and they're the Tahoes in grey/crimson and I Love them. I wear them even when I'm not riding.
So what color did you get? I concur with Knotted to get a pedal wrench (long handled). I bought one along with some Phil Wood grease and changed my own pedals! It's a simple task, however it made me feel "accomplished". Have fun with your new shoes & pedals.

[RubyTuesday]

Honestly, I am happy to hear that I was not the only one that is a bit leery about clipless pedals. I am using Shimano 105's right now and they are working pretty well. I think I want to loosen the release a bit because mine are cranked down pretty tight. I don't think I need them that tight right now.

I have taken my first fall. It was a stupid coming to a stop, take out one foot and try to put the other foot down fall. Bruised hip and elbow abrasion. The bruise is gone and the abrasion is just a scar now, but the mental scar is still a bit raw. My fall was a newbie fall in the first five minutes of clips. I haven't done it again, but I anticipate that I will forget at some point.

Right now (and I don't care how new I sound at this), my husband and I yell out "clips" when we are making a stop. Most of the time we have remembered, but I see the day when you finally feel comfortable and you need a lesson in humility.

I think the clipless do help me with my riding on the many hills we have around our house. They still make me nervous. Does that every go away?

[Sardine]

I came across this article, 'The Shoes Ruse', some weeks back: http://www.rivbike.com/article/clothing/the_shoes_ruse I thought I'd share it. See what you think. I haven't decided what to make of it. I understand that the Rivendell Bicycle Works is quite well known in the States but may be wrong.

Personally, I like my clipless pedals and feel that they make a difference. I live on a longish, biggish hill and bike through London traffic every weekday. It's obvious that we should all do what we're comfortable with and be as safe as possible. I'd ditch them in a heartbeat if I wasn't completely happy.

[wackyjacky1]

That's the article that got me thinking about switching to platforms. It made total sense to me. Like tzvia said in her post, it's all about what you're comfortable with and what works for you.

[Crankin]

I have almost totally forgotten how to ride without being clipped in. Personally, I hate the feeling of my feet flying off of the pedals. I might ride to the pond (1 mile) in my regular Keens, but, it's just as easy to wearing my cycling sandals.
I don't ride in the city, but I do do errands sometimes on my Coda, that necessitates a lot of stopping and starting. While this bike has campus pedals, I rarely use the flat side. One time I did a 4 mile ride into town in regular shoes, was stopped at a light, and I could not get started without being clipped in. It was like I had forgot the whole motion I learned when I learned to ride as a kid. After that little experience, I never wore regular shoes again.

[Sardine]

That's the article that got me thinking about switching to platforms. It made total sense to me. Like tzvia said in her post, it's all about what you're comfortable with and what works for you.

Sorry, I didn't track back far enough from your earlier posts and didn't realize that you'd already mentioned the article.

[Velocivixen]

@Sardine, I am familiar with that article. I think the bottom line is that if you're an "average" person who simply wants to ride a bike, one does not need to get bogged down in trying to figure out all the "correct" gear that they think they need. It is possible to simply hop on a bike and ride. One doesn't need helmets, lights, padded britches, goretex shells, etc., etc. to simply ride a bike and have fun. Sure, those cycling specific articles can solve issues that may or may not arise. If one races or does seriously long distances, then things like clipless pedals, heart rate monitors and the myriad of other equipment may be either helpful or necessary. In general though, and especially those who are simply contemplating riding a bike, it can be incredibly overwhelming, in regard to equipment, to the point of just saying "Oh forget it!" and never get on a bike. People can become so "paralyzed" that they don't make any decision or they think they must "decide" and they never actually go ride. If you're one who's all about efficiency of pedal stroke, time, mph, cadence, etc. then clipless is likely the way to go. Yes, I know there are those who find clipless better, more comfortable, more efficient, etc., etc., but it's not absolutely necessary. It's simply an option.

[RubyTuesday]

Velocivixen, where is the "like" button when you need one? Great post!

[Catrin]

Velo - do you really think helmets aren't needed? :eek: I would say that nobody should be on a bike without a helmet...one never knows what might happen! Head meeting concrete or rock is never a good thing...

Aside from that I agree with everything you said, and I may have misunderstood your statement.

[Crankin]

+1 Catrin.
I never felt any of the things I have bought for cycling as overwhelming. It was all to make me feel comfortable. Sure, I rode in jeans as a kid and running shorts and sneakers in the 80's, but I sure didn't go on 50 mile rides then. Or even 10 miles. Maybe I just like to buy stuff :)? Seriously, I used to spend a lot of time and money "shopping" and at the mall. I don't do that anymore. It's all focused on cycling or the other outdoor activities I do.
I have read articles that allude to the fact that cycling gear turns off people. It's just hard for me to imagine. I have friends who play tennis and golf and there's just as much obsession over "stuff" for those sports. Even yoga has all of its props and clothing. It's all part of the sport. There's no reason why you can't hop on a bike to do errands in your regular clothes, but I find this "anti-" gear attitude a bit disconcerting and strange.

[Velocivixen]

@Catrin, I would never ever advocate not wearing a helmet and I certainly wear one 100% of the time. What I'm really getting at in specific reference to the Rivendell article about "The Shoe Ruse" is that people don't need to be intimidated by various types of pedals. Pick a pedal that suits your needs and just go ride. I included all those other items in order to make a point that, for some, choosing all sorts of things can keep them off a bike. For some, it can just be overwhelming.

[KnottedYet]

For some people their bikes are for sport. And they buy sport gear.

For other people their bikes are for transportation. They have no desire to be browbeat into buying gear they do not need and prefer to buy multi-use stuff.

And then there are people (like me) who have "n+1" bikes, some for sport, some for transportation, and some just for cruising around looking sex-ay. We buy every damn thing... :rolleyes:

[Velocivixen]

Ooooh yes, I like that "n+1" too. I'd love to have all sorts of bikes.

Well, I do hope that the original poster enjoys her new pedal options and keeps us posted on how it turns out.

[jlnc]

I just read the article mentioned. Makes me feel better about sticking with my old sneakers for now.
Can you imagine Cadel Evans wearing Crocs on the TdF??? :p

[Sardine]

@Sardine, I am familiar with that article. I think the bottom line is that if you're an "average" person who simply wants to ride a bike, one does not need to get bogged down in trying to figure out all the "correct" gear that they think they need. It is possible to simply hop on a bike and ride. One doesn't need helmets, lights, padded britches, goretex shells, etc., etc. to simply ride a bike and have fun. Sure, those cycling specific articles can solve issues that may or may not arise. If one races or does seriously long distances, then things like clipless pedals, heart rate monitors and the myriad of other equipment may be either helpful or necessary. In general though, and especially those who are simply contemplating riding a bike, it can be incredibly overwhelming, in regard to equipment, to the point of just saying "Oh forget it!" and never get on a bike. People can become so "paralyzed" that they don't make any decision or they think they must "decide" and they never actually go ride. If you're one who's all about efficiency of pedal stroke, time, mph, cadence, etc. then clipless is likely the way to go. Yes, I know there are those who find clipless better, more comfortable, more efficient, etc., etc., but it's not absolutely necessary. It's simply an option.

Too true. That's why I posted the article which offers the alternative view, whether I agree or not in this specific case. Pedals, helmet and jacket aside, I'm a pretty low tech cyclist.

[Catrin]

@Catrin, I would never ever advocate not wearing a helmet and I certainly wear one 100% of the time. What I'm really getting at in specific reference to the Rivendell article about "The Shoe Ruse" is that people don't need to be intimidated by various types of pedals. Pick a pedal that suits your needs and just go ride. I included all those other items in order to make a point that, for some, choosing all sorts of things can keep them off a bike. For some, it can just be overwhelming.

I agree, but I had to speak up since you specifically mentioned helmets, that's all. We can certainly get overly caught up in the gear, especially for those who are just interested in short rides (the thought of riding 25 miles in jeans just makes me hurt), but when I see such discussions including helmets as "optional", it concerns me.

Thank you for the clarification, your post didn't reference the article so could only assume you were presenting your personal perspective. Ride on :)

[Velocivixen]

No worries Catrin. As a matter of fact since I've purchased a new bike I've already been looking at new helmets! (my current one is new & just fine), but you know....another reason to spend some money for the sake of riding. Lol

[rivergal]

I grew up on cages - that was all we had on my brother's 10 speeds growing up. So when I got my first road bike of my own 3 years ago that's what I had. Found out pretty quickly that I wanted something better, but was still a bit leery of clipless, mainly because of knee issues.

What I ended up with were Power Grips, which I love. Very easy for me to get used to, just angle in and straighten, and your feet are in the grip.

They don't give quite as much power perhaps as clipless, but they're miles above cages, and I don't need special shoes, above some athletics with fairly smooth soles. Right now I'm using the Pearl Izumi Syncro Seek II running shoes.

Here's the link to Power Grips http://www.mountainracingproducts.com/power-grips/power-grips-products/
My first set were the performance group. The second set I used the strap kit with purple VP MTB pedals. They're about $60-70 on ebay for the set, and $20 or so for the strap kit.

For me, this was a good compromise. I'm planning to pick up another set for the bike I"m putting together.

[skywalkerbeth]

I never did update this, although I think I announced this elsewhere...

I had a pro-fit done 6 weeks ago. For other reasons I've been off the bike for two months, so this wkd was my first ride after the pro-fit (BG - Specialized).

At any rate, he talked me into spds. WOW. SO easy. As in, astoundingly easy. You don't even realize you just clipped in when you put your foot on them, and getting out is super easy - barely a flick in either direction.

The anxiety factor has gone down significantly now. As I use them more and more and realize the odds of going down at weird times has decreased I'll feel better.

I've no doubt challenges will remain, such as if I go up a hill and get way too slow or have to stop quickly, or even re-starting on a hill perhaps.. but this is so much better.

It also makes "starting off" easier because I don't actually have to have one foot clipped in to do so. By this I mean the speedplays were so foreign to me (and tiny) that unclipping both feet meant a big hassle getting going after a stop. The shoes were so slippery and the pedal so small that trying to pedal without the foot being clipped was actually kind of dangerous. You couldn't rely on it to cross a street safely after a stop.

My old flow with cages was first right foot down, and the left one down next so that each stop sign meant two feet planted. To start I'd kick the right pedal to get me moving and then mount. I can now do the same thing because clipping is so easy. Plus, the other side of the pedal has no clips which means I could choose from time to time, too.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

What I ended up with were Power Grips, which I love. Very easy for me to get used to, just angle in and straighten, and your feet are in the grip.
They don't give quite as much power perhaps as clipless, but they're miles above cages, and I don't need special shoes, above some athletics with fairly smooth soles. Right now I'm using the Pearl Izumi Syncro Seek II running shoes.
Here's the link to Power Grips http://www.mountainracingproducts.com/power-grips/power-grips-products/
My first set were the performance group. The second set I used the strap kit with purple VP MTB pedals. They're about $60-70 on ebay for the set, and $20 or so for the strap kit.
For me, this was a good compromise. I'm planning to pick up another set for the bike I"m putting together.

I adore my Power Grip straps too, on both my bikes. Wouldn't use anything else if you paid me! Added bonus: you can adjust them a bit bigger in wintertime to perfectly fit around your nice snuggly warm insulated hiking boots with double heavy wool socks! :D