Combined with a stiff-soled shoe, this system offers great energy savings. All the energy that your leg and foot bring to the pedal goes to the pedal. Plus, because the shoe is clipped into the pedal, as your foot goes through the revolution of the crank, you can pull more efficiently on your upstroke.

Clipless systems are generally one-sided for road bikes and two-sided for mountain bikes. Mountain bike pedals come with a wider platform so that the pedal can be used in technical situations without clipping in. Four-sided Egg Beater pedals by Crank Brothers can be clipped into on any side, making them very easy to engage. They are available in road- and mountain-bike versions.

Compatibility can be a problem with road bike shoes. Some road bike shoes are meant for one type of pedal only. However, most shoe manufacturers now offer adaptive systems. REI sells these systems separately as well. Adaptability is generally not a problem with mountain bike styles.

Allows the foot to bend and thus lose energy when the power of your leg and foot is transferred to the pedal. toe clips cost less, can be used with any shoe, and require practically no maintenance. Getting into the toe clip system can be hard because you're required to flip up the pedal. (The straps cause it to hang upside-down when not in use.) With practice this gets easier, but never as easy as it is with clipless pedals. That said, toe clips are easier to get out of without a lot of practice.

If you use your bike to ride down to the store, then you have no real need for a clipless system. Still, if you want the comfort and energy efficiency of a clipless-compatible shoe, we carry shoes that are inexpensive, flexible and stylish. Many work well for casual riding, and some of these shoes come with the cleat so that if you wish to go to a clipless system later, you can.

Go with clipless. Since you get on your bike and ride, generally, until you finish the ride, you don't have to worry about getting in and out of the clipless pedal system. Sure, your shoes may click like a gunslinger walking into a saloon when you stride into a convenience store for an energy drink, but that just shows that you're a road biker and proud of it.

Part of mountain biking includes getting on and off your bike when the going gets impossible. However, clipless pedals can help you clear obstacles with bunnyhops, wheelies and the like. The main disadvantage, at least when you begin to use a clipless system, is that you'll fall. You will. Guaranteed. The foot naturally wants to slide backward when you're heading for tip-over. Clipless systems require you to move your foot out at a 45-degree angle. Find a soft, grassy field and practice, practice, practice. Try getting in and out of the pedal 60 times for each shoe; you'll get the hang of a clipless system.