Specialised Taho shoe

gareth1
gareth1 Posts: 4
edited September 2007 in MTB buying advice
Hello.

I'm trying to get back into cycling after a long long break. I gave up years ago due to repeated knee trouble. I did keep my bikes, didn't want to sell them.

I've been trying to ease myself back into cycling and trying avoid my knees playing up.

Anyway I dug out my old Diadora MTB shoes, and then decided I needed to adjust the cleat position, while one cleat freed off the other after had not surprisingly seized.

So I popped up to Dales in Glasgow to look for a new pair of shoes. They recommended Specialized Taho shoes, and they felt great on my feet in the shop.

So I got them home, set up the cleats and went out for a ride on my road bike. About 6 miles into the ride my left foot had pins and needles. At the end of a 20 miles ride my left foot was very sore indeed and I can still feel a little pain the following day. The pain was right on the ball of my foot. My right foot was fine. I was using old PD-M747 pedals.

Has anybody else had problems with this shoe?

I plan to try going out again, but I've got a feeling this is not the shoe for me. Surely no shoe should be like this after one short ride.

Will probably try to return the shoes to the bike shop, will say they are not fit for purpose. As I have have removed the rubber cover and fitted cleats I guess they ain't gonna be keen to take em back.

Any advice on picking a good shoe. My feeling is to now go for an mtb competition shoe with 100% rigid sole. I commented in the shop when I bought the Tahos on the flexibility of the shoe, but they said it was rigid where it counted, leaving the front to flex for comfortable walking.

Oh I plan to ride both MTB and Road. Posting in the MTB section as this is an MTB shoe.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Gareth.

Comments

  • Neily03
    Neily03 Posts: 295
    Funnily enough i get this with the Tahoe but in my right foot, until i slackened off the laces at the bottom, they seem fine now.
    Transition Covert.
  • Sir HC
    Sir HC Posts: 20,148
    Try on a range of shoes.

    I started off with Shimano MO34's, didn't get on with them at all, not comfortable, not enough support. I also found my toes wen't numb after a while.
    Bought myself a pair of Specialized Comp MTB's (stiff sole), never looked back since. Really comfy, loads of support.

    I'd try on some stiff soled shoes, as they do offer more support and don't let your foot move as much.
    Intense Socom
    Inbred
  • gareth1
    gareth1 Posts: 4
    Neil,

    OK will try next time out loosening the laces at the bottom, and see what happens.

    SIR HC,

    Try a range of shoes? I'm pretty annoyed that having spent 55 quid, I find that the shoes that felt great in the shop are hurting me after only a few miles out on the bike.

    I can't afford to try lots of shoes! I wish I had gone for a stiffer shoe as I guess that's a big part of the problem.

    Will try loosening the laces as Neil suggests, and see what happens. Will let you know.

    Cheers,

    Gareth.
  • Sir HC
    Sir HC Posts: 20,148
    I mean't try on a range of shoes in the shop. It won't hurt to ask if the bikeshop could attach some cleats to a few pairs and have a spin around the car park.
    Intense Socom
    Inbred
  • gareth1
    gareth1 Posts: 4
    I did before I picked the Taho SIR HC. They felt brilliant in the shop. The price was right too. I'm wary of spending lots of money on kit at the mo till I feel confident my knees ain't gonna bite me bad again.

    If loosening the laces a bit doesn't work, I'll take them back and try and exchange for another pair.

    But whatever I'll probably be looking for another pair in the longer term if all goes well.

    I take it the Specialised Comp MTB has a very stiff sole front to back. 80 quid a pair.
  • Sir HC
    Sir HC Posts: 20,148
    They are pretty much rigid.

    Specialized also do an interchangeable footbed system as well: http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProd ... spid=26113
    Intense Socom
    Inbred
  • northturton
    northturton Posts: 66
    Just received a pair of Spesh Taho via mail order, size 9 (43) - they feel awfully tight. Feels like my toes are bunched up, especially in the right shoe.

    I already have a pair of Spesh Sonama for my road bike, same size 9 (43), excellent fit.

    Has anyone tried to size up in a pair of Spesh Taho?
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    These shoes are great but the insole has a BG (Body Geometry) bulge (intentionally) under the arch - this is designed to revlieve nerve pressure but I reckon it depends on your own foot design as to whether it is appropriate for you - you could try regular flat insoles.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    northturton wrote:
    Just received a pair of Spesh Taho via mail order, size 9 (43) - they feel awfully tight. Feels like my toes are bunched up, especially in the right shoe.

    I already have a pair of Spesh Sonama for my road bike, same size 9 (43), excellent fit.

    Has anyone tried to size up in a pair of Spesh Taho?

    I was fine in my usual size (45), in Shimano's on the other hand, I needed 47
  • northturton
    northturton Posts: 66
    Sending the Taho back, found some Shimano MT90 shoes (boots) at Evans for £79 (RRP £115), feeding my addiction for vibram soles/goretex lining plus it can take spd!
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    northturton wrote:
    Sending the Taho back, found some Shimano MT90 shoes (boots) at Evans for £79 (RRP £115), feeding my addiction for vibram soles/goretex lining plus it can take spd!
    Great price! I have these too - they're excellent! They really work as walking boots too. These are the ones I needed in 47.

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