The speedplays & CB mallets, both for their easy-on-the-knees quality. I had picked up a pair of Cannondale MTB shoes on sale but didn't think about the compatability of pedal & shoe. LBS guys tell me that I am better off, as a commuter, getting the Mallets. The speedplays aren't as good for commuting they told me.

So I am researching these two pedals & I run across this guy's testimony for speedplay:
"I've had very good performance from Speedplay Frog pedals. They are a MTB design, but work wonderfully for touring (lots of on and off the bike during the day). They imbed in MTB/touring shoes (I love Shimano's sandals BTW), thus you don't loudly announce your entry into every establishment."

Well, I've heard the opposite...
This is what a few lbs have said:
The cleats do not imbed into MTB shoes, they need road shoes - unless you're willing to cut up the soles of MTB shoes which is not reccomended. They also require little rubber caps for walking & still will mess with your stepping normally.
Or am I wrong?
Please let me know what you think.

The LBS guy is either talking about some other pedals or an......

I'd consider

Time atac - https://www.mtbr.com/reviews/pedal/index_T.shtml
https://www.time-sport.com/us/home.htm



Bebop - https://www.mtbr.com/reviews/pedal/index_B.shtml
https://www.bebop.com/



Speedplay - https://www.mtbr.com/reviews/pedal/index_S.shtml
https://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.frog



if I didn't use Time pedals exclusively that is.

This all depends on the shoes. Not all MTB shoes are same. Some will need soles cut, some not. Some also have higher sole rubber than others, meaning less noise/cleat rubbing while walking. I don't know specifically about Cannondale MTB shoes.

I'd go with the mallets, just because it would be nice to have a platform on my commuter. I'm guessing they're a lot cheaper too.

Depending upon the sole design of your shoes, you might have to do considerable cutting of sole material so the platforms on the mallets don't interfere with clicking in.

Thanks for the feedback. I still need to scout around for a knee-friendly match (pedals-shoes). I have to try some combinations out for myself, I know. Its just $$$ to experiment.

Speedplay makes multiple road cleats, and the Frogs, which are designed for MTB shoes. It depends what type of Speedplays you're considering. THe LBS is correct - Speedplay road pedals will not work well with MTB shoes.

I just talked with another lbs that has a close relationship w/ the sports med center here. They said I need to come in for a set-up session ($50). They also said they have had good results w/ the Look Keo Classic pedals for commute/tour riders. Not specific over the phone about shoes though. They emphasized that its not so much the pedal as it is getting a proper fitting.
Seems more research is necessary on my part.

Look/SPD-SL owns any of the pedals mentioned in this thread.