delbiker1 

I have all my bikes set up with spd pedals, 3 with dual-sided spd, and 2 with dual sided spd/flat pedals. The spd/flat pedals are from the old Nashbar Bike company and are very nice, no longer available. I have 2 sets of spd-sl road shoes and pedals, but I get off the bike a lot more than I used to, usually involving some steps. There are cleat covers for the road variety, but one has to remember to bring them on the ride, then mount and dismount them when needed, and only good for short walks. The recessed spd shoes are much more convenient, and IMO, for pedaling, work just as well as the road variety.

Trakhak

I used Look pedals for many years, starting when they were introduced in the U.S. market, but I switched to SPD about 25 years ago or so. I still have a few single-sided SPD pedals, but I rarely use them except on the indoor trainer. Double-sided SPD pedals are on all my most-used bikes. Never any problem engaging the cleat with those.

For those who are having trouble deciding between SPD and flat pedals, Shimano makes a double-sided SPD platform pedal. You can feel the SPD mechanism as a small bump in the middle of each pedal, so they're not great for doing lots of miles in solf-soled shoes, but they're good with stiff-soled shoes.

Camilo

Indeed - the quality of the MTB shoe is key for a good stiff sole. Which Sidi has done forever, at least with their better shoes. For example, the Genius (road) and Dominator (MTB). I have both and they differ only in the tread on the soles and therefore a small amount of weight. There is no difference in stiffness that I can perceive. I believe the same applies to other upper levels of Sidi MTB and road shoes.

Having used both road and MTB pedals (Shimano SPD and Time RSX) for many years, stiffness and comfort issues like hot spots has not been an issue at all with a better MTB shoe. I haven't experienced that the difference in pedal platform for comfort is a factor at all. The weight factor is tiny and insignificant for all but the most hard core recreational or racing cyclist.

Walkability is the most significant factor by far. If you don't care about it, go with road shoes. If you appreciate or need it, go with an upper end MTB shoe for all purposes. Walkability is a good under any circumstances even just walking across the parking lot. And you can easily drive a car with MTB shoes but not with road cleats!

I love my Time RSX road pedals and cleats. I believe they were the best of the major brands back when I got them (Look, Shimano, Time, Speedplay) and still prefer them to anything currently offered. I have spare cleats and pedals on three road bikes which share my road miles, so I'm probably set for a while. However, when they or my Sidi road shoes wear out, I'll switch everything over to a two bolt system, probably SPD because I currently have them on two gravel bikes and a MTB. Mainly just so I don't ever again bring the wrong shoes to a ride! ... and don't need to sink money into two sets of good shoes. And driving back and forth to rides, etc.