HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
You are not alone. Although I've got clipping in and out of the SPDs on my mountain bike sorted, I just don't seem to be able to crack the SLs on the road bike. They're fine once clipped in, but I often struggle when setting off at lights etc. Practice is probably the key.
I can't say I have noticed the SLs being more comfortable or powerful either, even taking into account the rigid soled road shoes vs cheapy MTB shoes.
For leisure rides on the road bike, I think I'll stick with the SLs (as you say, they look the part) but if I commuted regularly, I'd consider switching to SPDs. Fortunately, I bought shoes that will cater for both.
I'd say similar, clipping out with SLs isn't a problem for me but clipping in can be I have SL's on my better bike, performance is slightly better but tbh I couldn't say if that was more to do with the bike and how I feel on it (psychological) rather than the shoe/pedal combo, but I suspect the former. As for looking the part, on my training bike I use A520 touring pedals (spd) and I think they look just as good as sl pedals.