Cycling shoes - what ones?

JohnBoyUK

Guys, I've been using MTB Shimano SPDs for the last 2 years without no problems but now I've upgraded my bike, I'm considering going over to some road specific shoes/pedals.

The cycling club recommended Look Keo Easy pedals, Wiggle have currently got them at £37 so thats sorted but now wondering what shoes to go for?

Whats the main difference between paying £60-70 for a pair of shoes (I've been using Shimano M076 for the last 2 years which were great value) then going up some. What makes some of the Sidi's and Mavic's so bloody expensive. Does it really make that much difference?

Have to say I love the look of the bright yellow Mavics.

Zoomer37

If there's anything you should spend that bit more on its shoes. Comfort, fit, weight, extra power you seem get through the pedals etc, all worth the extra bucks.

Currently wearing Specialized S-Works and they are superb

StorckSpeed

I ride SIDI's.

Why, well a few reasons.
1 I've got wide feet and they seem to have that extra bit of room
2 When I bought my first pair I was single, no kids and money was no object
3 My last pair of SIDI's lasted 14 years and I only recently replaced them
4 They sell spares so you can replace heels, closures, in-sole etc.

Now is probably a good time to buy road shoes as it's the end of the season you might get some good deals.,
Look on the bike radar reviews for more info, but these seem to be a good buy
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... s-09-34488
and these too
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... s-09-34220

I also saw a great review in cycling plus on the Specialised BG shoes for £70 can't see it on bike radar yet.

Hope this helps

Scotxr

This is a good thread - getting my bike soon and will be needing some road specific shoes. I saw the review in Cycling Plus - the Specialized BG shoes got a great review!!

Peddle Up!

I have large wide feet but Specialised BG work perfectly for me.

wishitwasallflat

I've got Lake Carbon's a couple of years ago which I got on sale from Wiggle (£65 half price, CX 235 I think but can check if you want). I was very happy with them but lately I think the leather has stretched off a bit and so the toe box is feeling a bit loose. My main complaint though is that they are made so that you can't replace the toe and heel bumpers! I wrote to Lake and asked them for replacements as it appears they were just fixed in with a fold over clip but they said they can't be replaced as they are moulded in ...

A nice lady in Timpson gave me some metal heels covers they use in shoe repairs and I araldited them over the worn bumpers and it works perfectely though!

Nonetheless, one priority on my list for next pair is replaceable bumpers!

Re Spesh BGs - they always seem to get great reviews but as I understand it they come with a valgus and varous shims (I think some models already have a built in shim). Personally (I trained as a Physio and taught biomechanics for years so I know a bit about this) I would be wary of shimming a pair of cycling shoes without a proper biomechanical analysis of lower limb alingment. I suppose though if you started of with nothing and IF NEEDED then added one or other shim and did short rides building up slowly you would pick up if the wrong type (direction) of correction, or wrong size of correction was going on before any lasting damage was done??

merak

Specialized S-Works, incredibly light and very stiff, but pricey. However a pair of road shoes lasts me for 10-12 years (when they get scruffy I relegate them to winter wearing under overshoes) so not an investment you need to make often (get the best you can afford and make sure they fit).

nferrar

You usually pay extra for stiffness, lightweight and comfort - combining those 3 gets expensive. I'm a big fan of Spesh s-works road shoes to (I have the Sport and Expert models to but the s-works are worth paying the extra for IME).

wishitwasallflat

merak and nferrar (and any other Spesh users) may I ask did/do you use the valgus/varus shims with your shoes and if yes how did you decide which to use?

Even though I studied and taught in this area I want to avoid paying big money for a fit if I can and fancy Spesh BG shoes myself!

Mad Roadie

StorckSpeed wrote:

I ride SIDI's.

Why, well a few reasons.
1 I've got wide feet and they seem to have that extra bit of room
2 When I bought my first pair I was single, no kids and money was no object
3 My last pair of SIDI's lasted 14 years and I only recently replaced them
4 They sell spares so you can replace heels, closures, in-sole etc.

+1 for Sidi - bite the bullet, as you may end up with a pair eventually - I bought Cannondale, and Lake before discovering why it worth all the extra for Sidi - plus almost all the component parts are replaceable

but.... I have narrow feet and I know wider feet people who struggle with them so find comment #1 above a little odd

BrianTrousers

I have DHB R1's and find them very good. I have limited experience however and was considering a pair of Sidi because of the perceived quality.

On the wide feet front. I suffer with this and wondered if anyone had experience of the Sidi Mega fit?

Simonhi

Fizik R1 are the schizzle :-) super soft, all day comfy, nightmare to walk in but apparently all shoes are like that.

Cliveyp

I'm half tempted to go this route myself, when the bike is still new and something different for me.........but i'm reluctant to spend that sort of money....

Scotxr

Anyone got experience with Gaerne??????

These are £68.......


http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=44691

merak

wishitwasallflat wrote:

merak and nferrar (and any other Spesh users) may I ask did/do you use the valgus/varus shims with your shoes and if yes how did you decide which to use?

Even though I studied and taught in this area I want to avoid paying big money for a fit if I can and fancy Spesh BG shoes myself!

No, I don't use shims - I use them as they come.

izza

Peddle Up! wrote:

I have large wide feet but Specialised BG work perfectly for me.

+1

I use shims after a fit at a concept store. Work perfectly and haven't had any issues with knees etc.

Wacky Racer

Mavic's tend to come up a tad wide, I have Mavic Avenir's, I believe they originally retailed at just under £100, but you can find them for £70 if you look around, super comfy and very light.

BUT - You should just get out and try a few on, because they all vary so much, and you'll just get a list here of what everyone else wears.

Unclemonty121

I recently bought a new pair of shoes, I am slighlty regretting not going for SIDI's as I had the money at the time, however...

I did go for the Aveniers and at the time tried on Spec's similar level shoe (can't remember exactly the name maybe comps?)

I found the Mavics much more comfortable and felt that they fitted like gloves over the spec's and I have proper footbeds done during my bike fit, so none of the spec's inserts. I was surprised as I have worn spec MTB shoes for litterally decades and love them.

I haven't ridden in the aveniers yet, as they are white and was saving the set up until next summer, which was a real pain during the hot spell the other week, do I spend time setting up the shoes and loose ride time or just ride in the old shoes, went for the latter!

But I would agree you really need to try them on first, as I probably would have gone for the spec's off the web. I got my shoes from a cylcesurgery nearby as they got both sets of shoes in and allowed me to try on without requiring me to purchase, which I did buy from them as the £10 off voucher I had helped!

thegreatdivide

Mad Roadie wrote:

StorckSpeed wrote:

I ride SIDI's.

Why, well a few reasons.
1 I've got wide feet and they seem to have that extra bit of room
2 When I bought my first pair I was single, no kids and money was no object
3 My last pair of SIDI's lasted 14 years and I only recently replaced them
4 They sell spares so you can replace heels, closures, in-sole etc.

+1 for Sidi - bite the bullet, as you may end up with a pair eventually - I bought Cannondale, and Lake before discovering why it worth all the extra for Sidi - plus almost all the component parts are replaceable

but.... I have narrow feet and I know wider feet people who struggle with them so find comment #1 above a little odd

Another Sidi fan here. They look cool too ;-)

JohnBoyUK

Well, for the time being, I've decided get another pair of SPD pedals for the short-term. Will get used to the bike first before changing over to road shoes I think. Get winter out of the way and then look to change over in the Spring.

LeicesterLad

Have i missed something? Cycling Shoes? Whats wrong with pedal clips and Silver Shadows? 8)

pk6526

Although I'm new to this, if I apply the logic I apply to all my other sports and pastimes (running, hiking, skiing etc) then the best advice I can give you is this: Forget other people's recommendations, brand names and reputations for a while. Try on as many as possible. Choose the ones that fit best. If more than one pair fits well, then remember the recommendations and reputations to choose between them.

Garz

I have had some northwave vertigo shoes for well over 2yrs now and decided to buy some new ones. I went for some nice looking shimano, however after trying them on they were way too tight for my wide feet. You probably have to go a size up but still may not accommodate a good level of comfort, besides I hate having boat feet (too long past the toe).

Trying them on is an option but I have found many shops just don't stock a wide variety. Where do you guys go that have plenty to try, as most seem to offer two or three brands at the most?

Escadrille Ecosse

Used to use Shimano SPDs but they were always a bit tight in the width which didn't help my plantar fasciitis. Tried on a few and found the Lake and the Specialized the nicest fit but the insole on Specialized was the most comfy and really helped my feet. I've stuck with SPDs as I sometime have a bit of walking to do but the Spesh MTB shoes are very similar to the road shoes. Couldn't afford the S-works but went for the Pro's instead.

StorckSpeed

I love reading reviews and hearing REAL USERS opinions of all sorts of products especially bike clothing, even love giving my opinion too for what it's worth. But I think PK6526 is right. Try some shoes on and buy the ones that are right for you.

jehannum5

I tried shimano 132 shoes and ultegra pedals and have gone nack to spds on my roadie... I find that they are the most secure connection and offer heaps of lateral play whicj helps my aging hips. The shimano carbon soled shoes are bloody awesome... can't imagine a better shoe, but I have never tried sidi etc. they last for years too... try the fit first as a lot of reviewers complain the fit is small...

Smirf

The Specialzed BG shoes allow for both 2 bolt and 3 bolt cleats so you can use with SPDs, or road pedals (that take 3 bolt cleat!)

Nice pair for sale on the for sale forum

dartmoorscottydog

+1 for Spesh - although I decided to stay with SPD's. Fits my wide feet like slippers!
Just as comfortable and easier to walk in than SPD-SL with minimal (if any) loss of power transfer.
Obviously easier if you have a MTB as well

snakedoc

I've stuck with SPD's and got some shimano A600s which are lightweight pedals plus I've got some carbon soled shimano shoes (discounted) which I find great. The A600 like the A520 (I think) have a wider pedal to spread out the area that you put pressure on with your foot when you pedal.

Plus I can walk in these shoes

I still get stick from a roadie at work though who says I should get some "proper" pedals and shoes....

TOM14S

I'm no expert on shoes, but had some shimano's and thought they were ok. But bought some mavic pro roads and they are so much nicer. Seem great value for money light and very stiff. They have a low front toe box and soft uppers n lining holding your feet tight and making them feel like they... To use the cliche, fit like a glove. They are v well vented tho, great for summer but tape or over-shoes ... (Watever your floats your boat)... is a must in the winter. I Tried spesh, lake n bonti's on in the shop n personal preference and bang for buck I went for the mavics n v happy with them.
I Found this website v usefull though...
http://www.roadbikeshoes.co.uk/mavic/pro/