My ten cents: Go ahead and buy a road specific pedal system, but I think it would be utter nonsense to suggest Speedplay Frog's (used in road/cross/mountain biking) will hold you back in typical road riding events (moderate/fast club rides, centuries, fund raising distance rides) that the vast majority of us do. I ride sometimes with zippy, drafting hammerheads with bling bling bikes and components specific for road racing, and my Frogs don't hold me back at all. Are you a category road racer entering regular events? Yes? Then buy a road-specific pedal system, otherwise get the pedal system that works best for you regardless of what others say you s-h-o-u-l-d buy.