I am a newbie. Should I go for mtb pedals? Or raod pedals?
I ride a road bike.

Road pedals are for road bikes.

Do you mean road pedals as in clip-in pedals? Unless you intend to race, you're better off sticking with platform (i.e. flat) pedals. I like my iSSi Thumps, but there are a zillion brands out there, so go with the ones that are comfortable.

Get whatever fits you comfortably.

On the whole SPD vs SPD-SL I've never understood how so many people seem to think you'll fall when wearing road shoes. I'm not that klutzy.

I guess growing up skiing and walking in ski boots taught me to be more careful in shoes that aren't normally shaped like a Nike. And I'm athletic enough to adjust my body on the fly and adapt to changes in equipment and surface area. Plus I can think beyond the next two steps I'm taking. 95% of my rides originate at my house. The only stop I might make is maybe at the convenience store to fill up bottles and get some Wine Gums (if I was still in the UK) or candy for the ride. If you ride like that then you could go with SPD-SL. For commuters and others who use their bike to go to places and then walk around it's better if you have flats or SPD so you can walk without falling down all the time.

So go with flats for now (or whatever is on your current bike) then try whatever you feel you can handle as you upgrade your pedals.

Depends? Do you plan on using the bike for other purposes besides road cycling? Do you walk as well on your rides?

I have Shimano 520 SPD on my Schwinn Peloton and they work fine and the bonus is I can get off and walk if needed. I have Ultegra pedals on my carbon road bike and although lighter, I do not notice much of a difference.

I use MTB clipless on my road bike, because the shoes don't make you walk like a constipated duck.

If you're new to cycling (even after a many-year layoff from bicycles), just get some inexpensive flat pedals. Use those and some flat shoes until you get a 'feel' for what you like/what you want.

FWIW: I ride on the road with a bicycle that tends more toward a touring bicycle. I use flat pedals with the small set-screw pins in them. For shoes I use tennis court-type shoes; somewhat stiff with flat soles that work great with the pins. I've no intention to change to the SPD/clip-in systems .

You can you tell when a duck is constipated? Do you check or something?

You don't have to. If it walks like a roadie, it's constipated.

Maynards or Lions?

Shimano 105 or Ultegra pedals all the way. This is from a life long and still Campy guy.

Fully disagree.
I've used SPD dual sided (I guess these are MTB?) pedals on all my bikes for nearly 20 years, long before I ever raced a bike.

The only bikes I would prefer platform pedals on is a dedicated townie/cruiser or a dirt jump bike. I definitely would not want platform pedals on a road bike.

Answer two questions first:

(1) Do you already have shoes that you use for riding, or do you intend to buy shoes to accompany your chosen pedal?

(2) How do you envision your rides to be, typically (in groups, road only, few stops, little to no walking about; or utility, light shopping, walking about in towns)?

If you have shoes and they're not bike-specific, then start with platforms.

If you intend to buy shoes as well, then you have to decide whether you want utility on the bike, or utility off the bike. For me, my road bikes have SPD-SL road cleats. My utility bikes have SPD mountain cleats. I never ride on platforms by choice.

These worked for me.
https://www.amazon.com/MKS-Half-Clip.../dp/B004H0CM9G

And
https://carsoncitybikeshop.com/toe-c...SABEgJS1PD_BwE

Phil_gretz , above, has a well-reasoned and comprehensive response.

I would add that SPD (mountain) pedals and shoes will work just fine with a road bike, and offer the advantage of allowing you to walk reasonably well while off the bike. Just depends on your preference.

Comfortable hiking shoes are nice to have in case something breaks and you have to walk home....

They're new to riding bikes; it's easier to start with flat pedals until you figure out what does and doesn't work for you, then experiment with different pedals, handlebars, etc. YMMV, of course.

People who wear hiking shoes when they're riding have saddle/frame bags so big they can fit an actual bike mechanic inside of them. Seriously, these folks can build a bike from the ground up with what they carry on their rides. No way one of those snobs is walking home. They'll use that $20 bill they keep in there to fix flats to call a cab (who calls a cab anymore...jesus).

I'm assuming the OP already knows how to ride a bike and has rode bikes with platform pedals, is familiar with this type of pedal, and is therefore asking about which type of clipless pedals they should try.

The only way to experiment with pedals is to buy some and give them a try.

I think the part of your post I mostly disagreed with is where you wrote that "unless you intend to race, you're better off sticking with platforms". This is a totally different statement than suggesting someone new to riding bikes stick to platforms.

I've read it a hundred times on BF, but I'll never understand the "unless you race, you don't need [clipless pedals / power meter / coaching / carbon frame / aero wheels / whatever]"

I race, commute, go on errands, and just ride around for fun. There are plenty of situations that had nothing to do with racing where I'm glad I had clipless pedals.

OP: I prefer SPD-SL (Ultegra or 105) pedals on my road bike, but I put SPD (two-bolt mountain style) pedals on my CX/commuter. If you think you're going to walk more than a few feet (say walking into a store or into work from the bike cage, consider the mtb style spd's)

Some of my rides have a no bailout option and a possible long walk of 10+ miles if something major goes wrong with my bike or me and I cannot continue riding. The SPD pedals give me a peace of mind that I can at least hike out to cell reception and rescue if needed. Something for the OP to consider in choosing pedals and shoes.

Cleats
SPD - Metal cleat uses 2 mounting bolts - Used for Mountain bikes
SPD-SL - Plastic cleat uses 3 mounting bolts - Used for Road bikes.

SPD-SL mount on the bottom of the shoe. The shoe itself has none/little in the way of ridges/grip. Because the cleats are not recessed into the sole it makes it awkward to walk.
SPD are recessed within the sole of the shoe. this leaves the ridges/grip available to walk on. Better to walk on, but the soles do tend to be on the stiff side. So don't toss your hiking boots just yet.

IMO if you plan on walking much, SPD is the better way to go. My fixed has SPD's due to my using it for commute. I have to walk the bike within the Train stations.

For the road bike SPD-SL all the way. Although I do carry Cleat Covers with me. These make SPD-SL even worse to walk in, but you don't tear up the plastic cleats if you have to walk on them.

Hope that helps

Barry

As you can see, there’s no easy or direct answer. I already had SPD shoes because I was a spinner before I was a cyclist. So when I wanted pedals for my road bike I purchased SPD’s. I just bought a new road bike and installed dual sided Shimano SPD...because I like them. I’m sure I’d like other styles too, but I guess I’m an SPD guy now.

Yeah, when they walk like a person wearing road shoes.

Don't forget to also look for peddles and petals.