mostly the same factors – light weight is nice, low profile is nice. But you don’t need ultimate grip – massive pins and a big platform aren’t required. You want a comfy profile as your feet are going to be in the same place for longer. I don’t like the old V8’s I’ve had on my commuter – the concave profile, the small width and my foot placement mean that the outer pins/edge dig in a bit on my right foot. Fine for short rides, uncomfortable over 15 miles.
I’ve got Wellgo MG1s on my gravelly bike – had them 13 years, done 20K plus miles on them, they’re not very low profile and they’re missing a couple of pins, but they’re light, nice and comfy on long rides, and even though I’ve never touched the bearings, even to adjust the preload, they’re still spinning smoothly. Pretty amazing, really!
I’d probably look at composites. DMR V2s on the family errands/nursery run/sit-up-and-gravel bike are doing well. Present from STW, I think, for re-subscribing a few years ago.