[jyl]

I was in the bike shop getting gloves (getting chilly at 5 am now, about 40 F this am, will soon be low-mid 30s and raining).

I saw that SPD clipless pedals are as cheap as $50. But the cheap ones are awfully heavy, even the not so cheap ones seem heavy. The nice light ones are not cheap enough to buy on a whim (I held a Ritchey pedal with Ti body, nice, $200+, and an eggbeater with Ti body and shaft, even nicer, $350!!!).

I wear bike shoes that will take a SPD cleat, but use regular track pedals with loose toe clips, the straps don't exactly nail my feet to the pedals.

Should I try the clipless pedals? What's the difference in pedaling motion, muscles used? I read that with clipless pedals (or tight straps) you pedal in circles, using more butt and calves? Right now I basically just press down, my knee (what are those, quads?) do everything.

Give me an education in pedaling and pedal systems, please.