oldokie

Why the differences in style clipless pedals in road bikes vs MTB? Do the larger cleat for the road bike style offer better performance or comfort for road bike use? I know the road show has a much stiffer sole on the shoe. Does that stiff sole drive a different cleat?
I currently use a Shimano SPD MTB style shoe and clip on my road bike because the MTB shoe is easier to walk in when I am off the bike. I am getting ready to get new shoes (and pedals?) so I am curious about the reasons for the differences.

pedex

road bike cleats are usually a bit bigger and have a better and more solid connection to pedal, but road spd's existed for a long time, still do, it gives you a bigger surface area and connection to the bike, slightly better comfort on long rides for some people, less chance of pulling one out in a sprint

I use mtb spd's on my fixed gear bikes, I havent had any problems.

there's all sorts of cleat styles--2 bolt, 3 bolt, spd's, spd-sl, look style, speedplay, time atac's

everyone has different answer to the same problem

shakeNbake

MTB cleats are designed so that the rider can walk/run in muddy/dirty conditions. Road cleats don't have to.