Help with shoes.

tkoppis
tkoppis Posts: 22
edited February 2013 in Road buying advice
Hey guys, glad to have found this helpful forum.

I live in Norway but I'm quite often in the UK, and therefore I've realised I can buy stuff off of Wiggle.

I'm all new to the road racing scene, just recently bought a 2010 Cannondale CAAD8 and am now looking for gear.

Let's say the budget is £40-80, and some of the shoes found are:

Shimano R106: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-r106-sp ... ing-shoes/
Northwave Fighter: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/northwave-fighter-road-shoes/
Shimano R087: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-r087-ro ... ing-shoes/

How do these perform against each other? I'll probably be able to try all of these on in a store, but I'm looking for the most comfortable shoe with the stiffest sole.

Any suggestions/thoughts?

Comments

  • u05harrisb
    u05harrisb Posts: 531
    If you can buy some from wiggle take a look at there own brand DHB shoes that they do. They look like, they are good value for the money and im pretty sure that there is some in your price bracket :D
  • tkoppis
    tkoppis Posts: 22
    yeah, the dhb R2.0C Carbon seems like a good deal, although always a bit anxious when buying "self-branded" shoes!

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-r20c-carbon ... ling-shoe/

    They do have great reviews though.. :)
  • unixnerd
    unixnerd Posts: 2,864
    I'm in Norway every few months, I love cycling there because it makes Scotland seem warm :-)

    If I lived in Norway the last thing I'd do is buy road shoes. The mesh tops offer no warmth or protection from the wet. You'd be far better off with touring SPD shoes and neoprene overshoes in the winter.

    I have R087s and SPD-SLs on my carbon bike but it only comes out on nice days. Used it last weekend for the first time this year and was very glad of a hefty pair of overshoes.

    Love cycling in Norway BTW, wish we had such good facilities and courteous drivers!
    http://www.strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible Price.
    Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
    Marin Mount Vision (1997), Edinburgh Country tourer, 3 cats!
  • tkoppis
    tkoppis Posts: 22
    :) Good to hear!

    So, how about experiences regarding shoes? Are the R087's more than good enough for a newbie biker at that price range, or will I get way more bang for a few more bucks?
  • unixnerd
    unixnerd Posts: 2,864
    I actually wanted the dearer version with the carbon sole but my LBS didn't have them in my size so I went for the R087s which were ten quid less. They're a good shoe but when I first used them I was over tightening them and that caused a lack of blood flow and numbness, now sorted. If it's colder than about 8-9C I wear overshoes on top.

    I also have Shimano MTB/touring shoes that are over ten years old and a bit worn now. They've been superb. They're more comfortable than the road shoes and a lot warmer / weatherproof. The road shoes do feel a bit more positive when I'm pedalling hard but only by a very small amount. The big problem I had with the road shoes was getting the cleat position right, I had all sorts of aches and pains for the first three months. For some reason it was never as issue with the SPD shoes.

    I'd not buy shoes mail order, I think you need to try them. If you're in the oil business and visiting Aberdeen I'd try the Edinburgh Bicycle shop in George Street or Alpina Bikes in Holburn Street.
    http://www.strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible Price.
    Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
    Marin Mount Vision (1997), Edinburgh Country tourer, 3 cats!
  • tkoppis
    tkoppis Posts: 22
    Thanks for the advice! Sadly not in the oil business, but I have a "cracking" job (if anyone can guess what it is :))

    Does anyone have any input regarding the Northwave or dhb shoes?
  • Gilbogo
    Gilbogo Posts: 7
    I'd go for for DHBs! I have a pair and they're great! They also do a carbon soled version at circa £80
  • navrig
    navrig Posts: 1,352
    They all fit differently across width and length so simply buying a size up or down wont necessarily work. Apparently Shimano are narrow. Specialised fit me so I stake to them.

    Go and try before you buy is my recommendation.
  • unixnerd
    unixnerd Posts: 2,864
    Sadly not in the oil business, but I have a "cracking" job (if anyone can guess what it is :))

    Professional walnut cracker maybe?
    http://www.strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible Price.
    Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
    Marin Mount Vision (1997), Edinburgh Country tourer, 3 cats!
  • tkoppis
    tkoppis Posts: 22
    unixnerd wrote:
    Sadly not in the oil business, but I have a "cracking" job (if anyone can guess what it is :))

    Professional walnut cracker maybe?
    Close, but no cigar!

    5034dbfc337bc.image.jpg
  • unixnerd
    unixnerd Posts: 2,864
    Ah right, physio!
    http://www.strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible Price.
    Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
    Marin Mount Vision (1997), Edinburgh Country tourer, 3 cats!
  • tkoppis
    tkoppis Posts: 22
    Oh no no! Chiropractor! :)

    Back to shoes. Think I'll give the dhb Carbon's a shot :)

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