I'll throw another question in with the ones you have already. Do you have a preference of road shoes or mountain shoes? I only ride on the road, but I have used mountain bike shoes for years because I want a recessed cleat. I travel with my bike, and clomping around setting up camp somewhere or bringing my bike inside my evening's accommodation while trying not to trip on a protruding (& slippery) cleat is something I gave up many years ago!

I use Sidi Dominator (women's) shoes, which are very stiff, and Speedplay's Frog pedals which are a totally free-float pedal.

--- Denise