When I started road bike riding I borrowed a bike with Crank Brothers Candy C pedals and road shoes. I got used to the pedals pretty quick but not the slip sliding when trying to walk in the shoes. When I bought my own road bike I stayed with the Candy C's because they were cheap (~$40) and thought I would upgrade later. For shoes I bought a pair of Lake CX 120 touring shoes on sale. They have the raised lugs that keep the steel cleats almost completely off of the floor, making them very easy to walk, drive in and they have very stiff soles making it easy on my feet when pedaling. Now that I have been road riding for awhile I am completely happy with this set up. I don't see any need to upgrade. I got both from Performance or Nashbar, I don't remember which, but it was from a link from this forum.