I wish to thank everyone that has replied to my posts. I have received loads of great information.
Now for my next question…
Are there any tri shoe and pedal recommendations or, stated differently, shoes and pedals to avoid?
I ride Shimano TR-02 shoes, and I couldn’t be happier. I never wear socks and they’re extremely comfortable (and stinky).
And I just have some cheapy shimano non-spd pedals. they work fine too 
I’ve got the Pearl Izumi Tri shoes. They are ok, but not great for fast transitions. The top of the heel tends to cave in. I am looking to get the new Shimanos. They appear to be designed very well for fast transitions.
In regards to pedals, which ever one you try first you’ll like. They all have different characteristics. It’s tough to really say one is better than the other. I ride Look, and like them a lot.
Talk to your lbs and see if you can try some out on a trainer. See how each one clips and unclips differently. Then go with whichever one you like better.
I have the Shimano TR1’s. They are quite comfortable and I have no complaints, but if I had ‘Sidi feet’ I would own Sidis. (But alas the arch is too high for me.) I also really like the design of the Specialized tri shoes. A friend has some new Carnacs. He loves them.
I am thinking that my next pair of tri shoes ill be the Specialized. Everything I have seen, read and heard is super positive.
I am not a big fan of the reverse velcro on the Shimano. It is done that way so that it does not open into the drive train during transitions with the shoes already on the pedals. I have ridden Sidi and Lake shoes with the reverse velcro and since the flap is towards the drive train it often rubs against the chain with each down stroke picking up grease from the chain. (anyone else experience this?)
I have wanted Carnac for awhile for the reason mentioned above. I do not think that the velcro opening to the drivetrain would be an issue if you are aware of it for 2 brief moments during the race. Howver the way that Specialized has the velcro on the side of the shoe is never at risk of interacting with the drive train seems the best of all to me.
Shoes: Sidi T1 - 2 velcro straps & loop at the heel for speed!
Pedals: Yeah, I agree that this is a totally subjective thing. I started w/ SPD’s, but was a spaz clipping in & out. Switched to Look - love 'em! If you want a bigger base, Look & Time are great choices.
I never tried Speedplay - but know lots of folks who love them. I think they have more float…?
I’ll tell you what pedals NOT to buy for triathlon - Speedplay X.
I ride the X5, love the feel and easy in/out movement, but the cleats are not very durable and tend to get jammed up with dirt/grass/mud while running thru transitions. You could easily DNF a race due to a broken cleat, or loose many minutes looking for a stick to scrape out the cleat springs.
I love these for everyday riding, but wish I had something different for raceday.
I ride speedplay zeros with the specilazed tri-vent shoe. Love that pedals, and the shoes are ok. I like the carbon sole, and the ventalation, but they don’t fit my wide foot very well. Also, when leaving your shoes one the bike for T1, I find it hard to get the toe strap to stay open. A couple of times it has fallen out and I had to take the time to “re-lace” it. I think I am going to try another shoe next season…but I love the Speedplay Zeros!
-bcreager
If you are interested in some really different pedals, check out the ‘side mount pedals.’
Since I’m a bit of a geek, I like the concept. You can have float or lock it out. You can run on them (Not the run leg, just in transitions.) You will have to lower your saddle and bars by 2.5-4cm, depending on what you’re using now.
sidemountpedal.com, I’m pretty sure.
Nike TSpeeds are okay. Good overall shoe, easy exit from the shoe going into T2, but the entry is not that great. The tongue gets in the way. Haven’t tried getting into them on the bike out of T1, but I imagine it would be a pain in the ass.
Oh, and look pedals are great. As long as you don’t mind running with the bulky cleats in T1
Shiny sliver shimano Tri shoes & ultegra SPD SLs … Works for me (of course its the only decent setup I’ve ever had …) Avoid cheaper Nike cycling shoes. I had a pair that sucked.
Carnac TRS 4 with Look-style pedals. The shoes are awesome! One large Velcostrap and loop at heel make for FAST transitions. For all races shorter than Irondistance I leave them on the bike and race without socks. Supercomfy either way.
I had them for 3 seasons (yeah, I know, time for new shoes) and done tons of races in them, plus two IMs. I will stick with Carnac for sure. Never had a problem with them and very comfortable!
I hear Sidi is good too, but I am pretty sure I’ll stick with Carnac. And I’d go LOOK compatible with the pedals. All the ‘trigeeks’ I know have LOOK…
Silvie
I’ve raced the Carnac for three seasons, most of the races I have them on the bike coming out of T1/into T2 and NEVER had an issue with the Velcro opening towards the drive train!
I also never had a problem with them staying open ‘enough’ for me to easily get into the shoe once on the bike. Just recently at two consecutive races I became so stupidly obsessed with opening them as much as I possibly could before the race that it resulted in me unlacing the strap trying to put them on and having to relace them while on the bike. Stupid me. But even that was done in no time. It’s only one strap, that makes a huge difference!
Anyway, my vote is Carnac along with Look pedals…
The Specialized Tri-Vent seems to be a well thought out shoe - it’s really a cross between a road shoe and what people consider a Tri specific shoe. The only down side to this shoe are as follows:
-
If you live where it is cool to cold for part of the year when training, you may want to get another shoe fors these conditions as the Tri Vent seems almost TOO cool a shoe if that is possible.
-
If riding barefoot, be sure to put some sun screen on the tops of your feet, as you could get a nasty burn where the foot is exposed.
Otherwise, this appears to be an outstanding shoe for triathletes.
Fleck
I ride Sidi T1’s and Speedplay Zeros. Love em both.
I have a pair of TriVents and love them. when it gets cold I just wear socks and booties (I haven’t worn them for sub-35 F ride yet, but it occurs to me that I might need to block up the vents on the bottom). for hot weather they are the best. so much ventilation. they make my feet very happy. very good fit too.
and what Fleck says about is true…I have a funny little tan spot on the top of each of my feet.
I agree that Carnac shoes velcro shouldn’t be a problem with the drivetrain. I just mentioned that the typical reverse velcro on many tri shoes is designed to prevent that. I guess another example of solving a problem that is not there.
I much perfer the concept of the carnac design over the sidi t-1 which always led to the velcro flap rubbing against my drivetrain which each pedalstroke.
I too have the Carnac shoe mentioned above. I cut the strap in half as it was flopping into my chain. They also give me bad blisters but…they are easy to get in and out of when clipped onto the pedal and I spent too much money to buy new ones again as I only race with them.
I love keywin pedals. I wont ride anything else on the road. cheap, light and a huge platform.
I never had a single blister in my Carnacs - and I’ve done my share of long rides. And raced a 1/2 without socks.
But I sized up considerably, two or more sizes I think. So they are a little on the big side for me but no problem with blisters…