I use frogs and am a roadie. The reasons I was told racers use road shoes, are to have a stiffer sole, and to not have the weight from the that allows the cleat to be recessed. But, if one buys a stiff mountain racing shoe, one can overcome the stiffness issue, and if one buys a light mountain pedal like a frog or egg beater, the shoe plus cleat plus pedal weights are comparable. The power transfer thing is crap, and only spds give hot foot, the surace area of contact between a frog and XP are comparable. Get the frogs. I started on spds and got both hot foot and had knee problems. I love my frogs, and nothig is easier to get in/out of (and I commute so I get it). I pair them with sidi dominator shoes. The may clack when all is new, but that goes away fast.