i'm actually in the same boat right now, and am interested in folks opinions. i've been using spd's and mtn. bike shoes on my roadbike, but that's just got to change. i'm thinking either spd-r's or looks, but i've heard some bad things about them. w/ regard to shoes, i know it's individualized in terms of what brand fits your foot, etc, but what are the better (value) brands? i'm NOT spending $270 on a pair of carnac's. I was thinking $150 or so for some nike/shimano shoes and look's non-adjustable ones or shimano ultegra spd-rs. thoughts?