Does clipping in and out become second nature??

Tin hat for the Look vs. SPD flame war!

Like the others in a short time no hassle, just practice for when you have to stop at traffic lights.

I would advise however to go for Look Keo over Shimano SPD's. I used to use SPD's but since I have had to go over to Look they are far better, more stable and easier to clip in.

I've been using them for a while and find them second nature now, I've only fallen of once a very long time ago - everyone does at some point.

The only minor irritation I have is when I'm trying to clip in at traffic lights - i.e. the one time you are in a hurry - I never seem to get it right first time!

Yes, clipping out comes easier than clipping in (for me anyway)

Riding on flat pedals feels very weird very quickly

I think it does, for me it came in about 4 stages:

1) Newly installed pedals, excessively aware of the fact I have to clip in/out, therefore being very careful. A practice ride + a one-way commute into work without incident.

2) Gleaming with confidence at having conquered the technique, almost immediately ending up on my arse in the middle of Victoria Street (London) just as I set off for home. Not sure if I heard any chuckles from onlookers but pride slightly tarnished nonetheless. Somebody waiting at a bus stop pointed out that my bar tape end cap had spat itself out and was in the road.

3) A few months of regular use, a few wobbles here and there but less nervousness.

4) Now - wouldn't have it any other way. I was convinced it was second nature when I wanted to ride my brother-in-law's old racer with flat pedals and found that it now felt incredibly awkward, especially that the pedal didn't lift when I lifted my foot and had trouble getting going!

More or less the same for my wife a few months later.

Keep at it!

I've heard the correct number of times you should awkwardly topple over before becoming relatively 'fluent' is two. That certainly agrees with my experience.

Thankfully, you should only fall over when stationary, so it shouldn't hurt too much. Just try and fall on the non-drive-side.

I think it's also worth noting that the mechanics of the cleat and pedal can take a bit of time to 'bed in', meaning they can feel quite unforgiving at the beginning. So when you see people effortlessly clipping in and out like it's nothing, it probably IS actually easier for them, on top of the fact that they're more accustomed to it.

Yes.

It will get easier and easier until it's completely second nature if you ride enough. And everyone falls off at least once while learning, so don't worry.

Yes it does (and most of us fall over at least once) although with most pedals you can set the entry/release tension so it might be worth slackening yours a little while you get used to them.

Good luck and keep persevering.

It does - I felt the same way when I started on clipless 6 months ago - never actually had the slo-mo keel-over and still have the occasional "foot stirring" to find the clip on the second pedal but otherwise it's now odd when back to a flat pedal.