I have learned to do the bike clipped into the shoes thing and it has helped me save loads of time since I have done it. My T1 time is almost always in top 10% of big races and top 5% in smaller races. One key, if you can do it and the distance is short enough, do the bike without socks. And I use regular bike shoes, not tri bike shoes or mtb shoes.

So you both run out barefoot then slip your shoes on? What do you do then reach down and strap the shoes?

I did my first year with MTB shoes. Kept the Crank Bros Candys with my road shoes the next year. Since then, its been Shimano SPD-SL and Shimano Tr-01 tri shoes. LOVE my setup. Shoes never come off the bike unless its on a car rack. I do all my rides practicing mounts and dismounts with shoes on the bike. Its all it takes, and it does make you faster. It can be the difference in a sprint or Oly.

Run out of transition barefoot. Jump on bike and pedal upp to speed (24mph or so.) Slip foot in, pedal back up to speed, strap shoe down, pedal back up to speed, repeat for other foot. Never going slower than 20mph. Takes practice, but has big rewards.

I have Shimano shoes and look style pedals. I always wear socks and put my shoes on in T1, no mater the race distance, from sprint to IM.

I have tried the clipped in shoes and I haven't liked getting stuff on my feet and having it dig into my feet during the bike ride. I prefer to have socks on the bike so I don't risk getting blisters, on the bike or the run that follows. I have my T1 set up so I can do it pretty quickly.

I am a MOP'er and I am not close to getting to the podium so comfort is more of a priority that shaving 30 seconds off my transition time.

Just my .02 cents ;-)