Need Some new Road Shoes

Doobz

So many choices and so much technical jargon out there.

I need a new set of road shoes that are going to last a while. Cost not really an issue but I am not prepared to pay stupid money just because it has some special stripes or some weird bling bling gold bits.

I need something practical, yet comfy for training rides, Club runs and Sportives and the odd Time Trial

I tend to do about 300 miles a week come rain or shine so they are gonna need to be pretty hard wearing too

Any feedback appreciated

bendertherobot

Specialized Road Pro. Though I think you'd need black. Insanely comfortable.

cydonian74

Specialized BG pro shoes. Like the guy before me said, soooo comfortable and stiff as well, a great shoe.

Mog Uk

You're going to get so many people all suggesting what shoes they personally have.. Best bet is get down a LBS and try on a few pairs, what's comfy for one person is not always comfy for another....

* Shimano R130 Carbons for me

JWSurrey

I now have three pairs of Spez. shoes for different disciplines!
There was a post a while ago on this - The Spez. shoes cant your little toe slightly downwards i.e. twist your heel slightly inwards, which is probably the reason why they're so comfortable - I think this is to mimic the rolling action when you walk.
The insoles are pretty supportive too, although they offer 3 different grades of insole which you can measure using their special insole tool - see the website for more info.

If you don't find them immediately more comfortable when you put them on, then try a pair of Sidis - I'm led to believe these shoes lift your heel up, which is how they achieve their comfort (and better power delivery).
Sidis are traditionally cut narrow, with excellent insoles and heel support.
Spez. shoes seem to be nice and wide.

I've found it worth paying for the fancy straps, but be careful not to over-tighten them!

I saw a physio yesterday, as I have knee problems caused by a collapsed arch - he confirmed that, in my instance, Spez. shoes are the best for me.

Jez mon

What shoes are you wearing at the moment and how are you finding them? Northwave Aereators (there are still some in stock, but NW have released a new shoe) have my personal vote, stiff enough for Boonen, stiff enough for a skinny little climber like me. They also vent very well.

However, they are in white, nevertheless, the good thing about having such a well venting shoe is that overshoes can always be worn, so when there is lots of muck on the road you can keep your shoes looking nice.

The one important thing is to try the shoes on first hand, as the same size in different manufacturers come up very differently.

JWSurrey

Jez mon wrote:

...The one important thing is to try the shoes on first hand, as the same size in different manufacturers come up very differently.

Absolutely - I'd never buy a pair of shoes mail-order.
Spez. shoes can be different by a few sizes, to your normal shoes.
Sidis are well known for being oddly sized too, and now come in different widths.

schlepcycling

+1 for Specialized, I've now got 3 pairs (2 road,1 MTB) and they're excellent.

clu

Like Jez Mon, I prefer Northwave shoes also. When I started out I tried different shoes from different manufacturers at my LBS and I found that I prefered the Northwave shoes over the others.

I've used Carnacs in the past when triathlon racing, and have found their shoes aren't as wide fitting as the Northwave shoes. Not a problem for me because I used them without socks and they did the job I asked of them.

I think Northwave are reasonably priced, stiff and look really good. The Aerators work brilliantly in the summer for keeping my feet nicely cool. I'm saving the pennies for my next set, their Airlites.

But as mentioned by everyone else you need to try a few different manufacturers shoes to find the right pair.

Jez mon

Another thing about trying on shoes is to remember that your feet can expand in the heat and when riding. I wear a pair of SIDIs in the winter but in the summer, they just don't fit (fortunately it allowed me an excuse for getting my lovely Northwaves). This is something you should take into account when trying shoes on.

Finally when it comes to pricing, I would say look at shoes which are being replaced by new models, as they should be going cheap. Whilst its nice to have the newest of everything, I can't think of a recent "innovation" in the world of shoes, this means you should find very good quality stiff, well venting shoes, for about £100 (which is still a lot, but not nearly as much as some SIDIs)

Doobz

thanks for the replies dudes.. Well I have a pair of Shimano R075's at the moment. they have been fine for the most part but now are a bit trashed.

I have tried on the Specialized shoes and they are such a big difference from what I am using now. Are they pretty hard wearing and has anyone had any issues with them in terms of material failure?

I like the look of the Northwave and sidi but I have not been able to find anywhere local that does them so a bit snookered there.

cheers
Doobz

graeme_s-2

I have a pair of Specialized Comp Road shoes, and they've been pretty hard wearing, use them for weekend rides, triathlons, commuting, and they're still looking in pretty good nick. Very comfortable, like them a lot, although they are my first pair of proper road shoes.

giant_man

Check out the Sidi range, that's all you need to do

Compton77

Check out the Sidi range, that's all you need to do

Totally agree I got myself a pair of Sidi Energy's, which i use for weekend rides, and the soild feel through your foot is great. I use Adidas Vueltano's to commute in and the difference in the way they hold your feet is night & day..

Rich-Ti

Is it wrong to have Shimano shoes when you have Campag on your bike? Just wondered cos I bought Shimano shoes without thinking about it (got a deal with wheels from my LBS) but have now realised what I've done! :shock:

Jez mon

Nope it's wrong to have shimano full stop!

mekonta

Another vote for Specialized shoes here.

Just bought my second pair and for a short while before I went back to my old Sidi's. I hated them. When they were my main shoe for a couple years I had no problem with them, but the Specialized feel much more comfortable, both in underfoot support and more space around my toes.

gkerr4

Rich-Ti wrote:

Is it wrong to have Shimano shoes when you have Campag on your bike? Just wondered cos I bought Shimano shoes without thinking about it (got a deal with wheels from my LBS) but have now realised what I've done! :shock:

you should be ashamed of yourself....

:-)

Rich-Ti

gkerr4 wrote:

you should be ashamed of yourself....

:-)

I might take a black marker to them tonight...

il_principe

cydonian74 wrote:

Specialized BG pro shoes. Like the guy before me said, soooo comfortable and stiff as well, a great shoe.

BG Pro Road

+2. I've got 3 pairs of Spesh shoes and they're great especially if you have wide feet like me. I also have a set of custom inner-soles from cycle fit on account of my flattened arches, that was a great investment and gets my knee into alignment, combine the shoes with a set of speedplay zeroes and you'll have pedalling perfection. I can do century rides with no foot discomfort at all.

nferrar

I'm a bit disappointed in the Spec BG Comp road shoes I have, the BG Sport MTB ones I bought months ago are great but the road ones aren't nearly as comfortable. The main issue is I can feel the buckle digging into the side of my foot (even without any tension on the strap). I suspect the BG insoles raise the foot a bit more than the basic insoles the shoes come with so make the shoe seem a bit narrower, need to try swapping the insoles back out (I don't have any shims in). Kinda wish I'd gone for the Sport version of the road shoes as I wouldn't have the big buckle digging in then

JWSurrey

nferrar wrote:

I...the BG insoles raise the foot a bit more than the basic insoles....

NFerrar - One thing the guys in the shop were unable to answer - is there any difference between the standard insoles supplied with the BG shoes, and the "standard fit" BG insoles that you pay extra for?

Actually, I'm going for custom footbeds from my physio soon, as he's explained why these would be better than using shims.... Apparently it's to do with raising a collapsed arch vs. just twisting the ball of the foot to compensate.... which will change the fit of the shoe as my feet will seem to be narrower.

bbtothehead

Anyone got an views on Shimano customer fit shoes(ie R220s)? I have weird feet that are a normal width at the ball but with skinny ankles resulting in a lot of heel lift and thought these could but the answer.

Andy

nferrar

JWSurrey wrote:

NFerrar - One thing the guys in the shop were unable to answer - is there any difference between the standard insoles supplied with the BG shoes, and the "standard fit" BG insoles that you pay extra for?

Yep - the BG insoles (even the standard/neutral ones which I have) have much more arch support than the insoles the shoes come with. They should let you try them though (or is the shop on the Internet?), got mine from a concept store and they did the various tests and even opened a couple of packets of insoles for comparison.

Garry H

Jez mon wrote:

Another thing about trying on shoes is to remember that your feet can expand in the heat and when riding. I wear a pair of SIDIs in the winter but in the summer, they just don't fit (fortunately it allowed me an excuse for getting my lovely Northwaves). This is something you should take into account when trying shoes on.

If buying new shoes from a LBS, go in the afternoon. Your feet will have expanded by then.

MrT

I posted something on here some time ago when umming and ahhing about shoes and especially whether or not to buy sidis....so much good advice. In the end i went for the sidis and have not looked back. Am doing e2e in under two weeks and shoes v.comfortable on 70+ consecutive days. Got mine from Cyclefit in London...v g service. Shop had a proper foot measuring device..length and width. They did ask if i wanted some £70 custom footbeds as well but ironically i use Spec BG insoles.
Used to race in Sidis 25 yrs ago...like being reunited with an old friend.

kenbaxter

JWSurrey wrote:

Jez mon wrote:

...The one important thing is to try the shoes on first hand, as the same size in different manufacturers come up very differently.

Absolutely - I'd never buy a pair of shoes mail-order.
Spez. shoes can be different by a few sizes, to your normal shoes.
Sidis are well known for being oddly sized too, and now come in different widths.

Don;t think sidi's are "oddly sized". They recommend you go up one size from your normal shoe size. Works for me and others I know who ride them.

Don;t get totally put off by mail order comments. I have bougfht all my shoes mail order as my LBS's dont stock a extensive range and certainly not in my petite size 47's. Chain reaction have got some good offers on, free postage, and a good returns service. With the cost of petrol its cheaper for me to try one or two pairs mail order than drive all over the country looking for stock.

Oh, and if you haven;t tried Sidi's - you aint lived

over-the-hill

Are Shimano RO99's any good?
I am also looking at Spec comp but they don't have full carbon sole for the same money.
Spec Pro are a bit expensive but look good.
Is there any advantage in leather uppers?
I only like black shoes.

Rich-Ti

o-t-h - I'm thinking I might need some wider shoes having felt a bit cramped riding in my brand new R075s last night. They're literally 1 ride old but despite feeling ok off the bike I think I'm going to order some Sidi Mega as I use them on my MTB and they fit perfectly.

£45 posted and size 44 if you or anyone else are interested?