I don't have my shoes handy, but I think they're MT-21's (something Shimano and cheap at any rate)--and I sure don't see what you guys are with respect to the recessed cleat. I have to walk funny on concrete if I don't want the cleats to scrape. Maybe they're set up wrong, or maybe the more expensive shoes are better.

My next pair might not have laces, though--that's getting annoying. Trying to find the happy medium between "looks good with street clothes" and "doesn't look out of place with cycling-specific clothing". Like my bicycle, I prefer to only have one pair of cycling shoes.