Road cleats on road shoes have cleat protection built in to the cleat (the "pontoons").
MTB cleats on MTB shoes have cleat protection provided by the thick sole.

MTB cleats on road shoes provides ZERO protection for the cleat.



I suggest using road pedals with road shoes or MTB pedals with MTB shoes.


Oh and eggbeaters suck. Get TIME ATACs if you are dead-set on using MTB pedals. But, I think Shimano R540 road pedals (or any quality road pedal) would be even better.