Look, Shimano, or Speedplay?

[jobob]

Wow, Crankin, more power to you, but having to have cleat covers to walk around involves way too much effort and advance planning for me.

I use eggbeater pedals on all my road bikes, which I gather are looked down upon by "real" roadies I find eggbeaters very easy to clip in and out of, and I don't have to worry about adjusting tension or whatnot. They were my first brand of clipless pedals about 5 years ago, and I've had no reason or desire to change from them since.

I wear Sidi mtn bike shoes which allow me to easily walk around. I suppose if I used "real" road shoes, I would generate more power, but I'd rather be able to walk around easily than be able to generate a few watts more power (heh, if that really mattered to me, I'd lose 10 pounds first ).

And, when I'm doing more leisurely rides, or when it's gawdawful hot out, or, when I just feel like it, I'll wear Keen cycling sandals. They are very very comfy, and off the bike they don't look or feel like cycling shoes (OK, I wouldn't walk any vast distance in them, but they were great for schlepping a around a bit at the wineries and the Culinary Institute of America when DH and I were on a cycling tour a few weeks ago).

The "real" roadies must really turn up their noses at the Keen sandals. Like I care.

[Crankin]

The covers slip right into my jersey pocket, so it's not a big deal. They just snap on or off. They are always on the shoes when I start, so when I am actually ready to ride, off they come and go in the pocket.
I think I have the problem with my left cleat getting a bit sticky because I am constantly clipping in and out on the same side, and it wears it down. I am also a lightweight, so that also may come into play.
I never had issues with the spds, but when I switched over to the Speedplays my body appreciated the free float and now the limited motion of the spds bother me. I only used them on the road bike for year, so who knows? I might have developed an issue if I had continued.

[emily_in_nc]

Wow, Crankin, more power to you, but having to have cleat covers to walk around involves way too much effort and advance planning for me.

I use eggbeater pedals on all my road bikes, which I gather are looked down upon by "real" roadies I find eggbeaters very easy to clip in and out of, and I don't have to worry about adjusting tension or whatnot. They were my first brand of clipless pedals about 5 years ago, and I've had no reason or desire to change from them since.

I wear Sidi mtn bike shoes which allow me to easily walk around. I suppose if I used "real" road shoes, I would generate more power, but I'd rather be able to walk around easily than be able to generate a few watts more power (heh, if that really mattered to me, I'd lose 10 pounds first ).

And, when I'm doing more leisurely rides, or when it's gawdawful hot out, or, when I just feel like it, I'll wear Keen cycling sandals. They are very very comfy, and off the bike they don't look or feel like cycling shoes (OK, I wouldn't walk any vast distance in them, but they were great for schlepping a around a bit at the wineries and the Culinary Institute of America when DH and I were on a cycling tour a few weeks ago).

The "real" roadies must really turn up their noses at the Keen sandals. Like I care.

I used to wear Speedplay X-2's (and had cleat covers in my bag for stops), because, like Crankin says, they DO get clogged up in sandy/muddy conditions. I had to walk quite a ways on a muddy C&O towpath during Bike Virginia once b/c I literally could not clip back in. Not good.

I've since changed to Eggbeaters AND Keen Commuter sandals, and I am having more fun than ever. My "serious roadie" days are behind me since I broke my pelvis in 2005. I just can't ride nearly as far or as intensely without aching these days, so now I'm just doing utility and fun rides, shorter and slower than in years past, but really having more fun than ever. And if anyone doesn't like my Bike Friday, Eggbeaters, or Keen sandals, I couldn't care less!

[Bike Chick]

Wow, Crankin, more power to you, but having to have cleat covers to walk around involves way too much effort and advance planning for me.

That's how I felt and one of the reasons I switched. Right after I got my Speedplays I made the mistake of stepping in a corn field to use the restroom on a ride. There was so much dirt in my cleat, I couldn't clip in. I cleaned it out with a stick. I cleaned it well enough to clip in but not well enough to clip back out They are also very slick on pavement and floors. I wasn't one to always remember to take my cleat covers along. The Iclics have eliminated that problem and I'm really pleased with them.