Originally Posted by
floridamtb
I've been riding SPDs for over a year, it was time recently to either buy new MTB shoes OR switch to road pedals and shoes. After careful consideration I realized that even riding 200 miles per week there was no compelling reason to change. I bought some new Bontrager RL MTB shoes, which are basically their road shoe with a tread. I can walk around, there are no hot spots, they're light, they're cool, I can do everything a roadie can do, including dropping roadies wearing road shoes and pedals as well. I'm a firm believer that unless you're racing, or riding 200 miles in a day, or climbing Alpe Du Huez then SPDs are just fine.
I'm glad you feel that way...and I'm also glad you can "drop roadies" as well.
Shoes/cleats is 100% personal preference....nowhere did I claim shoes will make someone a better rider. I'm also glad you apply a threshold to where road only shoes are needed...but again, that's a personal call. If a rider likes to sport lightweight, $500/
pr road shoes while on their trainer in the house, that's up to them.