I've got a pair of Forte CM200's that have done me well as my commuter and ultradistance shoes for the past 2 years. I've done everything from my hilly 30mi r/t commute on my singlespeed to a couple geared double centuries in these shoes, and I paid less than $50 for 'em.

Are you wanting a MTB shoe for offroading, or for SPD cleat compatibility? Because Shimano (and a few others) now have SPD cleated road shoes. I think the Shimanos rock in around $120.