I've been using clips on my bike for 4 years. I've never really given much thought to going to clipless pedals until I started reading this site. I always thought those were for the road biker's who were always riding on paved surface and never had the occassion to need to put a foot down here and there. Now I'm realizing that off road rider's use them too so I'm wondering...do I need to go clipless? I ride predominately country roads and occassionaly haul my bike to a nearby town to do a cycle path around a lake that is paved.

The thought of clipless has always scared me a tad. You know, not being able to get your foot out of there instantly if need be. Plus, I often ride my bike to a destination and then stay there for awhile so need to walk in my biking shoes which is another reason I have never considered clipless...I don't want to have to mess with removing cleats so I can walk. I wear just regular cycling shoes with a good amount of traction on the bottom.

Am I hanging on to an old fashioned ideal and I need to move into the 21st century or will I really benefit that much from going clipless, spending money on new pedals and new shoes and learning a new technique?