My LBS was trying to talk me out of Speedplays too. I've had Speedplays for years. I got them because I was having knee pain and the LBS recommended them as a solution. The knee pain didn't go away and it got worse. My ortho thought I had torn menicus so he went in an scoped my knee, it was synosivitis (an injury to the synovial sac). It was on the outside of my knee, also ITBS was suspected.

I also have chrondomalicia so I stuck with my Speedplays. I ride about 4,000 miles a year.

When I tore my ACL/MCL in Jan. my ortho gave me permission to ride my bike on the trainer for rehab. His first question to me was what kind of pedal was I using. When I told him Speedplays, he said they were the best for knees (not sure if he meant problem knees or knees in general).

I almost 8 weeks acl post surgery. I'm allowed to ride outdoors but I'm not allowed to use my clipless pedals, toeclips or straps or anything that catches my foot in any way. I tried using old mtn bike platform pedals but they locked my feet into a straighter position, one that I'm not used to. They were better with gym shoes but then I didn't get support. If I used hiking shoes I got better support but the lugs caught on the pedals.

Speedplay has platform pedal that snaps over the Speedplay road pedal. It's pretty neutral in design and I can get the float I need and holds my foot without catching it.

One day I tried an experiment on my trainer. I tried pedaling with my toes pointed forward instead their natural position. I immediately noticed pain in the center of both kneecaps.

Checkout the Speedplay website. There is a lot of information on float, design, maintence, etc.

About once a year the LBS lubes my pedals. A few drops of lube every ride helps to maintain the cleats. Also, when you notice flat spots on the springs its time to replace the cleats. I alternate shoes so I can't tell exactly how many miles that is.

Problems clipping out are due to the screws being tighted to tightly, my LBS did this to me once, or dirt or stones between the spring and outside of the cleat. Failure to lube the cleats makes it a little more difficult to clip out.

I started pedaling on the trainer 9 days after surgery and with my leg in such weaken state I could still clip out. I wear the cleat covers whenever I walk in them. If you do get dirt in them its easy to clean out with a small screwdriver.

As far as walking in the road ones I don't find them that uncomfortable especially with the covers on. I once walked 3 miles down a mtn pass, I was afraid to ride, with my cycling shoes on and wasn't in much discomfort.

They say you have a feeling of sliding on ice when you first start to use Speedplay pedals. I didn't experience that feeling.

I also use orthotics in my shoes without them I noticed more discomfort in my knees.