Running Gear: Are "Trail Shoes" bad for road running?

the only difference is that trail shoes have deeper tread to help you get better grip on the trails. Sometimes trail shoes have a different type of upper that is made out of tougher mesh, which trys to prevents water and mud getting into your shoes.

you'll be fine

Trail shoes are great, IMO.  I have run most of my 12 marathons in various models of Adidas trail shoes. 

Depends on what you mean by "bad."
Not sure what your goals are, but for most of us non-elites, the primary goal is to find shoes that fit the best at the least cost.
IMO, since you are just getting started, I would go to a professional running store to get fitted for the right type of shoe. They can tell you if you over/under-pronate, look at your arches, etc.
Then with that information you can look for great deals. When I got started 5 years ago, I did that first. Then would buy the same model online (since most shoe stores stop carrying them the following season) for great discounts. Unfortunately, I can no longer find them, and had to get the newer model--which causes some hotspots.
However, if you lucked out and can run in these trail shoes without blisters, hotspots, arch pain. Then stick with what you got.
I'd also advise that you keep up with a milage log so you know when its time to get a new pair.
Since running shoes are the only real cost to this sport, I am cautious to go too cheap (ala Wal-mart Tennis shoes) or too long (300-400 miles).

My insight comes from a discussion I had with a  rep at my local Fleet Feet.

It depends on what kind of trails shoes they are. Trail shoes from the big running shoe companies (Brooks, Adidas, etc.) are basically running shoes w/ more of a tread.  They have similar cushioning and flexibility and are OK for pavement.

Trail shoes from companies like Vasque, Solomon, North Face are more rugged like hiking shoes and will have a much stiffer midsole and be heavier.

Running in the rugged shoes on pavement CAN cause problems because they are stiffer and they throw off your gait. Typically when you are running real single track trails in these shoes you are running at a slower pace and with a shorter gait.  When you try to run at your road pace and gait problems might arise, as they did for me.

I bought a pair of Vasque Blurs to run trails, but the ended up killing my calves.  The problem is not the shoes on the trail, but the 1.5 miles of pavement to and from the trails.   I got a terrible calf strain.  I blamed it on the shoes and went back to the rep.  That's when she explained this all to me.  Ever since then, when I stick to the single track w/ the rugged Vasque's I've had no problem.

So the New Balance "Trail" shoes are probably fine for road running if they are as soft as I expect they are.