I am still on flat pedals. And flat cycling shoes. But the "trick" is to use those pedals with many "locking" pins so that they would hook onto the bottom flat cycling shoes well and not slip.....when you are on the saddle you confirm wont slip one lah. One way it would make a difference in safety is if you off saddle at higher cadence like during really high power sprints. I only off saddle during climbs.
I did not google / AI in deep details but there apparently is little to no loss in efficiency. Also this is much safer esp if you train on PCN areas as well where there are runners/walkers, or worst go through MBS area (which i very often do).
No issue during T100 also......no need to change running shoes to cycling shoes, meddle with socks etc, that saves you like 2 mins easily, more than a deep section wheel + rear disc + full aero helmet can save you in aerodynamics time for a 32k bike leg. Even a 80km bike leg i dare say.
I got the idea from Just du it when he did his duathlon. He and the 1st place champion just gunned it in running shoes start to finish. (he is very fast also)
Not sure about his first run leg of 5k, but 2nd run of 2.5k was 9:34. Bike is fast too. This fella is aged 61.
https://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?_...nyMjHNFGZAcQR.&spm=a1z09.2.0.0.25042e8dq5mWVW