Hi guys,
I'm looking to get road shoes (not the touring type). What would you recommend. Not a serious rider, but would like a decent one that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
Which Shoes?
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moosterbounce
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I'm more than happy with my DMTs. I tried Sidi's (the "best") but they weren't comfortable on my feet. I had some Diadora's before and definitely notice the difference. Mr Moo upgraded his cheapo Shimano shoes to Sidi's and won't go back.
Try on a few and see how they feel. Don't be afraid to try on the more expensive ones too - you would hate to pay less and then not have a comfy shoe. Mr Moo wanted cheapies to start with to get used to them, and always had numb toes after a couple of hours. No probs anymore and both "appear" to fit the same.
I was told that they should feel like slippers. When you put them on, clench your toes, then do up the straps. This will provide enough room for your feel to swell as they get hot.
Try on a few and see how they feel. Don't be afraid to try on the more expensive ones too - you would hate to pay less and then not have a comfy shoe. Mr Moo wanted cheapies to start with to get used to them, and always had numb toes after a couple of hours. No probs anymore and both "appear" to fit the same.
I was told that they should feel like slippers. When you put them on, clench your toes, then do up the straps. This will provide enough room for your feel to swell as they get hot.
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thomas_cho
- Posts: 1191
- Joined: Sat Jul 21, 2007 12:45 pm
- Location: Canberra ACT
I think the moral of shoe buying is really to try them on if you are new to the brand.
I have a pair of Shimano carbon soled shoes, and they are light and stiff. I think stiffness is the key to a good shoe.
Off-topic (because these are quite expensive), Shimano (and other manufacturers) have personalized fitting shoes which are moulded to your feet. If you are going to be cycling lots, perhaps see this as an investment if you have trouble finding a comfortable fitting off-the shelf model.
I have a pair of Shimano carbon soled shoes, and they are light and stiff. I think stiffness is the key to a good shoe.
Off-topic (because these are quite expensive), Shimano (and other manufacturers) have personalized fitting shoes which are moulded to your feet. If you are going to be cycling lots, perhaps see this as an investment if you have trouble finding a comfortable fitting off-the shelf model.
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JV911
- Posts: 5458
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- Location: Sydney, Australia
same here...i was all set to buy them as they have a good reputation but were not right for memoosterbounce wrote:I tried Sidi's (the "best") but they weren't comfortable on my feet.
ended up with a pair of nike poggio 4. as a bonus the price was reduced from $340 to $190
best bet is to try on a number of pairs from different price ranges. if finding the "right" pair means spending a bit more, so be it
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GAJ
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:17 am
- Location: Melbourne
which shoes
Two crucial factors are
1: the right width a cross the widest part of your foot - some brands are very narrow so if you have a broad foot can cause foot injury, particularly if you're putting in the kilometers, some riders refer to it as hot foot, but if it gets really bad it develops into Mortons Neuroma - Search out Dr Andrew Pruitts Medical Guide for cyclists - explains this very well.
2: women buying cycling shoes should never be talked into buying "unisex" shoes - they don't exist, they are mens shoes and will be too wide in the heel. This causes heel lift, wasted energy and your shoes will wear out at the heel twice as fast (effectively becoming a larger size in the process). The heel lift also means your foot is sliding back in the shoe, either way you are loosing efficiency and comfort - they should fit your heel like a "terrier dog"
1: the right width a cross the widest part of your foot - some brands are very narrow so if you have a broad foot can cause foot injury, particularly if you're putting in the kilometers, some riders refer to it as hot foot, but if it gets really bad it develops into Mortons Neuroma - Search out Dr Andrew Pruitts Medical Guide for cyclists - explains this very well.
2: women buying cycling shoes should never be talked into buying "unisex" shoes - they don't exist, they are mens shoes and will be too wide in the heel. This causes heel lift, wasted energy and your shoes will wear out at the heel twice as fast (effectively becoming a larger size in the process). The heel lift also means your foot is sliding back in the shoe, either way you are loosing efficiency and comfort - they should fit your heel like a "terrier dog"
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redBo
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2008 7:48 pm
Any online shops you'd recommend?
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GAJ
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:17 am
- Location: Melbourne
Which shoes?
Locate the shoes online, or phone around, but at the end of the day you must try them on before you buy. Also think carefully about the socks you wear, I couldn't believe the difference it made wearing a top quality sock - not bulky and doesn't scrunch up or pull tight on your toes when you're doing long distances.
My most recent shoes are specialised and I went for the valcro straps with the ratchet at the akle - allows me to adjust on the move.
The other thing I've found useful is to wear them for about 1/2 hour before my ride with the valcroes open and they seem to soften up a bit and mold to my feet before I do the final adjustments - worth a try if you're having problems.
If you are having trouble getting the right shoe, try to locate a pediatrist who specialises in cycling
My most recent shoes are specialised and I went for the valcro straps with the ratchet at the akle - allows me to adjust on the move.
The other thing I've found useful is to wear them for about 1/2 hour before my ride with the valcroes open and they seem to soften up a bit and mold to my feet before I do the final adjustments - worth a try if you're having problems.
If you are having trouble getting the right shoe, try to locate a pediatrist who specialises in cycling
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moosterbounce
- Posts: 2613
- Joined: Tue May 17, 2011 8:06 pm
- Location: Rivervale WA
Re: which shoes
Hmmm...I wear mens shoes and they fit me perfectly. Perhaps better to say "some women shouldn't wear "men's fit" shoes...". I doubt if I'm the only chick out there with wide feet. I am not an animal!!GAJ wrote: 2: women buying cycling shoes should never be talked into buying "unisex" shoes - they don't exist, they are mens shoes and will be too wide in the heel.
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GAJ
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:17 am
- Location: Melbourne
I too thought that my mens / uni sex shoes were a good fit for the first year or so, it probably depends on type and how much you ride. I too have wide feet and the bike shop didn't stock womens fit so I was none the wiser.
After visits to the physio and sports pediatrist I discovered my mens shoes were to blame. I can't beleive the increase in comfort and efficiency with having a properly fitted shoe
The Bicycle apparel . com web site (sorry can't post links yet) have a great explaination and diagrams
"Men's Fit -vs- Women's Fit
The female foot is not just a scaled down version of the male foot. In general, a women's foot has a higher arch, narrower heel and a shallower first toe. The ball of a women's foot has a smaller circumference than a males. The circumference on the instep of a women's foot is also smaller. Both the ankle length, and the instep length are shorter than their male counterparts.
The anatomical differences in the male and female foot should be taken into consideration when purchasing cycling shoes. Women should look for shoes designed specifically to fit the anatomy of the female foot."
Check out the website for explainatory diagrams and loads of info
After visits to the physio and sports pediatrist I discovered my mens shoes were to blame. I can't beleive the increase in comfort and efficiency with having a properly fitted shoe
The Bicycle apparel . com web site (sorry can't post links yet) have a great explaination and diagrams
"Men's Fit -vs- Women's Fit
The female foot is not just a scaled down version of the male foot. In general, a women's foot has a higher arch, narrower heel and a shallower first toe. The ball of a women's foot has a smaller circumference than a males. The circumference on the instep of a women's foot is also smaller. Both the ankle length, and the instep length are shorter than their male counterparts.
The anatomical differences in the male and female foot should be taken into consideration when purchasing cycling shoes. Women should look for shoes designed specifically to fit the anatomy of the female foot."
Check out the website for explainatory diagrams and loads of info
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moosterbounce
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- Joined: Tue May 17, 2011 8:06 pm
- Location: Rivervale WA
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