First pair cycling shoes advice

alwaystoohot
alwaystoohot Posts: 252
edited July 2011 in Road beginners
We've all been in this position - I'm buying my first pair of clip on cycling shoes (and pedals), I've used trainers until now.

I don't mind paying 100/150 quid but I honestly have no idea how to differentiate between a good value carbon soled shoe and a not so good.

To complicate things, I've got size 13 feet (US 14, euro 48/49) so its not so easy to go into a shop and find pairs to compare or try on.

All advice welcome, is there a great need to buy the shoes and pedals together or should I buy the pedals first then look for the right shoe? Decisions, decisions... !

Thanks
Richard
'I started with nothing and still have most of it left.'

Comments

  • racingcondor
    racingcondor Posts: 1,434
    No need to buy shoes and pedals together as road pedals (SPD SL) are compatible with all 3 hole shoes and mountain bike / commuter shoes are equally compatible with all SPD pedals.

    For your first pair of shoes £80 will buy you a good pair although I've found benefit from spending more. Bontrager, Specialized and Giro all do large sizes (the Euro brands don't tend to go over a 46, I'm a 47) and are well regarded.

    I'd look at the following -

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bontrager/race-road-shoe-ec022375 £90
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/bg-sport-road-shoe-ec025554 £70
    http://www.probikekit.com/uk/clothing/mens/cycling-clothing/shoes/giro-trans-cycling-shoes.html £130 currently but you can probably still get an extra 10% off with the TOUR10 voucher code

    (please note those are just links to shoes, I haven't researched prices etc)

    Specialized also have a higher priced shoe around your price range which is worth a look if they fit you well. I found Specialized to be broad enough but a little roomy above the toes (which ultimately led to knee pain on rides over 70 miles), the Giro are still quite broad but are less deep so fit me like nothing else I've ever tried (I wear Factors). I haven't owned Bontragers so can't really comment.

    Ultimately you should buy what fits your foot best, like helmets what works for one person won't for another.

    Good luck. :D
  • alwaystoohot
    alwaystoohot Posts: 252
    Many thanks the trouble you took to reply, much appreciated. I'll look into all the shoes you mention.

    Any other advice for large size shoes gents?
    'I started with nothing and still have most of it left.'
  • Dunkeldog
    Dunkeldog Posts: 138
    If you mean wide as well as big on the foot dept I'd recommend Northwave shoes. Very generous toe box. Specialized and Sidi have always come up a little narrow for me. Also I'd factor in a bit of cash for footbeds. Either get them during a bike fit or you can actually get heat moulded ones you can easily do in your own home. Footbeds made a huge difference to my riding. These featured in Cycling Weekly recently and were well thought of. https://secure.yoursole.com/uk/footbeds/thin-sport/

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