Yes, toeclipped flats are accettable, I agree. The point Is Always the same. I would never vote a bike I wouldn't ride, and I wouldn't ride a bike without spuds or, at times, without some other type of foot retention device.For me, the majority of flats need to have toe-clips, so I kinda get what you’re saying, though some styles (early rounded/Suntour types, or later downhill/slalom types) would be the exception in my eyes.