I rode them for a week with Ultegra SPD-SL. They aren't that stiff, but the huge cleat provides a pretty big platform, so it felt as effective as SPD, just different. Really stiff shoes with SPD-SL or other road cleat would be a killer feeling I'm sure. I chose to go with SPD pedals and stiffer MTB shoes for a bunch of reasons, but I may eventually try road shoes again...