My first clipless pedals were the shimano eh500 and I still have them on my family tandem.
They were my wife's first too.
Never gave me any trouble. Easy to learn (never fell) and nice looking.
https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/produ.../PD-EH500.html
edit: I had them on a Salsa Vaya for a while and dont think they would look out of place on an endurance road bike.