Advice on buynig road shoes

MorganIRL

Hi all, I'm new to this forum and relatively new to road cycling. I've been looking for a while to buy a pair of road shoes online. I've been to my local shops and online seem to be alot cheaper. At the moment I'm looking at the Shimano R106, R133, R087, & R077. I've been to my local shops to do a trial fit but none of them have the Shimanos in my size (normal shoe size: UK11/46euro) and I'm wondering what I should be looking to order? Anyone have any of these shoes or can they recommend another to consider? I'm totally open to suggestions, only picked these based on their price and looks.
Look forward to hearing what you may have to say! Many thanks!!!!

singleton

If you really can't find anywhere to try them on - I'd get 1 size bigger than usual shoe size and buy from somewhere that it's easy to return them.

wishitwasallflat

Or order both sizes from Wiggle on a credit card where the bill won't come in for a few weeks and send back the ones that don't fit (or both if you don't like them) and the refund should be through before it comes due (if it doesn't you know who to blame ).

rickwiggans

Bear in mind also that different brands fit differently. My normal shoe size is 41. A Shimano 41 is too small, and a Shimano 42 is too big. A Specialized 41 is just right. I'd keep trying in the shops if I were you.

MorganIRL

Thanks guys for your help.
@Singleton - been doing a bit of reading on size guides and they all pretty much agree with what you're saying, thanks!
@wishitwasallflat - great idea about buying the 2 pairs from Wiggle and returning the one that doesn't fit! Thanks!
@rickwiggans - called into my local shop yesterday and tried on a pair on Specialized and I'm a 45 in them and a 46 in my normal shoes! Go figure! So I think buying online could be out or at least it'll be a gamble!!! Thanks!

migrantwing

@MorganIRL.

I was looking at getting some Shimano R087's online (a lot cheaper than stores by £20-30) but had the same problems as yourself, didn't really know about their sizing. Dropped into my local Decathlon just to see what they had in and, lo and behold, Shimano R087's. After all the talk about 'one size up' in Shimano shoes, I reluctantly tried on the smallest size they had (EU42/UK7). I am a UK 7.5-8 in shoes/trainers. I was told many times, and had also brainwashed myself that a Shimano shoe in anything less than an EU43 would be too small. After trying them on, they fit PERFECTLY! Very snug indeed, yet with a lot of room for adjusting tighter or more loosely.

I think it just depends on the model/make of shoe you're looking for.

sungod

there's really no substitute for trying them on, as above, fit varies a lot between makes/models

also, if it's your first pair, some advice on choice/fit at the shop could be very useful - what may feel fine in the shop may not be so good on a bike

fwiw the first pair i got fit ok, but they were flexy

imho for road shoes you want them stiffer than a stiff thing that's stiff

cougie

Fit is the key thing. It's worth paying for.

Eyorerox

Buy from the shop, I think its kind of rude to use them for fitting and advice
and then buy from someone else. Pay them for the service they are giving you.

MorganIRL

Thanks guys for all the help, between all the advice I think I''m going to do the right thing (and pay extra - for the service!) and buy from a local shop!

Eyorerox

I hope the shop does not let you down!