@Libraman Welcome! Clipless pedals do make these bikes easier to ride. The feet are involved in the steering, whether clipped in or not; when they are clipped in they become a much more predictable and reliable part of the steering. It can seem scary being clipped in at first--like you have less control. But in truth, being clipped in gives you more control. It's a paradox that goes away pretty quickly with time and practice. Double-sided clipless pedals are nice; you don't have to fiddle with finding the correct side.
I've been riding a V20 for seven years now, and early on I was gripping the bars so tight to counteract my legs that I tore a ligament in my right forearm that put me on the bench for seven months. I couldn't even turn a doorknob, and shifting my car was difficult. During my rehab, Robert at Cruzbike suggested that I "grip the handlebars as if they were ripe bananas." That changed everything. When I got going again, I focused on my arms and legs working together instead of fighting each other. My pedal stroke smoothed out, my power improved, steering became more intuitive, and the bike was easier to handle. Everything just...relaxed. Since then, my grip on the bars has been light because that it all that is required. The only time I think about it is when someone asks here on the forum if it gets better. It does.
