I am an evolving triathlete moving from more short course races to longer distance (did my first IM last year). Transitions were always a high point for me for saving time so I have a pair of Shimano Tri shoes with a single strap. I used these for CDA last year and they seemed fine, however I have to think that more standard biking shoes with multiple straps may be more effective in energy transfer. Does anyone have any data or anecdotal evidence that normal biking shoes are better than tri shoes for longer distances?
I don’t know about the energy transfer aspect.
However, I will say that I have used both types in races and have got on fine with them - because I practised a lot with my race pair before the race, that’s the key! The only real differences to note for long races are that road shoes are usually allow less evaporation of sweat as they cover more of your skin, and that road shoes may not have loops for pre-clipping onto your bike (but I have tried and tested safety pins and they worked fine for me!).
I have a pair of Shimano r151’s three strap road shoes and a pair of single strap Pearl Izumi Tri Carbon’s. My road shoes are slightly more comfortable for long periods and are my choice for longer rides, anything over 3 hrs.