If it were me, I would use the Xlate.
If you are concerned regarding operational performance, try timing an Xlate without the IFs and one with. Compare the difference and see if it is tolerable (remember there is a big performance hit when an Xlate is referenced within the engine for the FIRST time so take your timings from the second use or later).
My guess would be the difference is tolerable when compared to the maintenance benefit. After all anyone using Cloverleaf should at least be Level 1 and a Level 1 person should be able to maintain Xlates but maybe not Tcl.
Jim Kosloskey
email: jim.kosloskey@jim-kosloskey.com 29+ years Cloverleaf, 59 years IT - old fart.
