Can anyone out there recommend any brands and types of cycling shoes that they’ve had good luck with? I’m looking to buy my first pair after getting sick of using a shitty, ancient pair that was given to me. Also, where are some good places I could look online to buy them, and is there a major difference between cycling shoes and triathlon shoes?
Sidi and Shimano.
Tom:
Curious as to your experience, if any, with the Nike cycling shoes. Aside from questionable aesthetics (UGLY), I just got a pair of Poggio II’s on a great deal and they feel very light and comfy (no long rides yet to test the extended comfort).
Alan Stewart
I’ve had good luck with DMT shoes, as well as SIDI.
<<is there a major difference between cycling shoes and triathlon shoes? >>
Triathlon shoes are designed to have a bare, wet foot stuck in them in a hurry. Typically, they will have one large strap versus two or three straps like most road-specific shoes. Tri shoes will also have a heel loop in the back to help facilitate donning/doffing while on the bike.
Tom D. has a good article on shoe fit on his website: www.bikesportmichigan.com
HTH
Brett
if you’re looking, I strongly suggest a physical store - you can get 'em cheap online at the usual spots - excelsports.com, coloradocyclist.com, nytro.com even ebay.com its like your running shoes, some fit better than others.
I was pretty happy with my shimanos when I did mountain biking, and I realllly like my dmt rsx carbon shoes I just recently got. My feet are wide, I had tried the sidi mega genius 4 before but I find the dmts much more supportive all around. I can see my foot being comfortable without a sock in the dmts. I can’t say the same about the sidis.
I have Sidi’s and love them.
astewart, my wife has the poggios from last year that she picked up for 80 bucks at the Trek store. She loves them.
DMT work for me. But shoes are like bikes they need to fit to work properly. A great deal on a bad fit is a waste of money. Shop your local stores. If you find some you really like after 6 months of use get another pair.
Sidi’s.
Regarding the strap thing, I have much better luck with shoes that have 3 straps than one. They just fit a lot better and the time difference can’t be more than a couple of seconds. I’m using Sidi Lightning/Titan/Iron right now and I really like them.
Avoid shoes with ratchet buckles like the Sidi Genius. They fit great but take forever to get into and out of.
I use the Sidi T1’s, which I use for both tri/duathlon and training. I don’t have a “bike only” pair. They have 2 straps, except I only have to use 1 strap to get them on/off. The difference between tri shoes and bike only shoes are ease of entry, directions of straps (my Sidi straps can stay in the “open” position without interfering w/ the chain - there is a little notch in the strap) and the tri shoes have a “pull” loop in the back (very useful). I leave my shoes on the bike when dismounting, and they work well.
I bought my shoes at my LBS, but you can get them online. I suggest trying them on in a real store, since fit is very variable and important. Generally, if I use my LBS to try on stuff, I buy it there.
Lake:
wide toe
sockliner
Cheap $85
hold up great
.
Time CX Pros (the best, by far)
Carnac Quartz
Carnac 7 tri shoes
.
Sidi, & Shimano shoes have been great for me. I have a pair of Time shoes and I cannot get the cleat far enough back on them and it cause major foot pain.
I’ve used Sidi and Lake. Both are are good.
I currently use Shimano TR-01 and they are my favorite by far.
They have a wider base than the Sidi and a single wide strap like the Lake.
They are a bit pricey, but you can get them at Bicyclebuys.com for $10 off. (Not sure if they are still having that discount or not.)
Also, the most significant difference in cycling and tri shoes is that the straps close in the opposite direction on tri shoes. I can only assume this is either for safety reasons or to keep the open velcro strap from hitting the crank while its spinning. As you get better in transition, you’ll eventually learn to open your shoe strap and slip out of your cycling shoes before the dismount line. I’m sure you’ve seen numerous athletes pedaling w/ their feet on top of their shoes as they near T2. I think having the strap on the outside allows the crank to turn unobstructed.
Sidi T1 and Sidi Dynamic, both great quality and decently priced.
I had a pair of Detto’s that never failed me either.
jaretj
Sidi genius 4…
best bang for the buck
hated my Nikes
I’ve thought about the strap too and personally I find that with my sidi & dmt, the straps pull my non-existant arch UP. So its not just a decorative thing but functional? I’m debating getting a pair of dmt tri shoes that open the “other” way so it doesn’t snag the chainring but I wonder how comfortable it is…
Time Iron Cx are not bad, but I don’t think they make them anymore. If anyone can tell me where to get replacement insoles, I would appreciate it.
I’m a couch potato pretending to be a triathlete.