I've raced both and preferred the platforms over bare eggbeaters. The platform was especially helpful when I couldn't get the cleat engaged right away and I thought the power transfer was a bit better though maybe that part is in my head. That said, for me, SPD's are the way to go. I just can't reliably engage the eggbeater at starts, it was costing me races. I don't have that issue with SPD's.