I'm using a $65 set of SPD pedals on a nice, carbon fiber road bike. They weigh about 300 grams. I could have instead spent $400 on a set of road pedals and got 150 grams. Really not worth it.

Hot spots are solved completely with stiff shoes. Then your entire shoe becomes the contact area between your foot and the crank arm.

Being able to walk around is kind of nice. I stopped for lunch at this place once, in my SPDs, and was able to navigate the restaurant. A guy in road pedals fell on his hip on the tile floor. That's an extreme case, but MTB pedals are undoubtedly easier to walk in.

It's really just a fashion thing 90 % of the time, and weight weenyism the other 10 %. Remember, road cyclists are extremely fashion conscious. This is a group of middle aged men who shave their legs while listening to Enya and burning scented candles, because it helps them fit in with their club.

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