In most tris, the majority of the time is spent on the bike but no one talks about tri spefic cycling shoes. Why is that?
What are the best cycling shoes for tri on the market? Why are they the best for you? What are you looking for in a tri cycling shoe?
In most tris, the majority of the time is spent on the bike but no one talks about tri spefic cycling shoes. Why is that?
Perhaps it’s because triathletes seem to obsess about all the stuff that matters the least! Seriously.
Contact points with the bike, including shoes, matter a great deal. It surprises me that they don’t get more attention. Now, cycling shoes are an intimate fit, and as such what works for one may not work for another, so individual suggestions and preferences need to be taken with a grain of salt. However, finding the best fitting shoe is very important and something that triathletes should spend more time and possibly money on.
It’s a not a Tri shoe per-say, but in my view it is the best cycling shoe on the market these days tri or road is - the Specialized S-Works shoe.
It’s a bit out of date now and Specialized has a new S-Works shoe that I believe is in stores shortly, but FWIW I did a review of the current model on my Blog back in the spring:
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com/2009/06/new-shoe-review.html
Hope this helps.
I have a pair of Scott Tri shoes. They have a full carbon bottom and heel cup. This was an upgrade to my bottom of the line Sidi shoes that started to bend in the plastic bottom after a couple of years.
The carbon sole and heelcup makes a huge difference for me when climbing and in comfort. Having little to no flex makes a world of difference. I was told that most people think the particular shoe I got was a bad fit for them so I may have odd shaped feet but I
So my synopsis is to look for a good carbon sole shoe that fits you very comfortably. As far as the best brand, that’s up to your foot.
I don’t think we talk about them much because we all have them and they just work? 
I have Shimano TR-50’s (I think) and like them. People at Tribe recommended them,
I got them, and have been happy ever since. One of the few tri purchases I’ve made
without any drama. 
-Jot
When I heard the TR50 was being discontinued I found 5 pairs in the UK and bought them for $70 a pair. I love that shoe and am set for a good long while.
Bob
I love my Shimano TR-51’s.
They are great and comfortable too.
Hands down, without question D2 shoes!
In most tris, the majority of the time is spent on the bike but no one talks about tri spefic cycling shoes. Why is that?
What are the best cycling shoes for tri on the market? Why are they the best for you? What are you looking for in a tri cycling shoe?
I picked up a pair of Scotts Tri Carbon shoe and have loved them.
http://trisports.com/scott-tri-carbon-triathlon-shoe.html
The price was right (I never could find a pair of the Shimano TR50’s in my size so that says something about the popularity of them).
Only complaint is the strap…if Im sloppy about setting the end, I will catch it on the crank arm opening the velcro strap. But the shoe is nice. Rigid in the footplate and a nice wide toebox. With or without socks not a worry.
cheers
S.
Specialized tri shoes fit me great and look good. The problem is that I like to open my tri shoe wide in transition. The one large strap gets wider towards the end of the strap. Maybe to you from pulling out of the latching device. This does not allow me to open the shoe wide enought to run up and stick my foot in the shoe. My brother has the same problem with them.
**Specialized Trivent **has been awesome for me, don’t use it for my winter training though, just not warm enough for that, but as cool as you’ll get in the heat.
I have always wondered if there’s a sacrifice in wearing a tri shoe vice a standard road shoe, especially if most of your riding is training, with just a few races a year.
Obviously, the tri shoes are designed to vent/drain, and for quicker on/off, but is that tradeoff offset by a considerably better fit, stiffer platform, etc in a good road shoe? Or are you essentially getting the same quality platform in a tri shoe?
I only use my tri shoe for racing. Train in a road shoe. Good or bad idea ?
I don’t think it’s bad per say. but I like knowing that my shoes are my shoes. I have custom (D2), two straps, super stiff and super comfy. I don’t really get this 2 shoes thing.
For me I want me cleats to be where my cleats have always been. I want my arch to be where it always is. I want to know how to strap on and off my shoes without looking a them. What is too tight and too loose.
switching shoes back and forth to me is asking for trouble at some point.
But to each his own.
I think Sidi makes a quality shoe and it shows in their T2.6. I have a narrow foot and it fits perfectly and is always comfortable regardless of the length of ride or terrain, etc. I have had them for a year and put a lot of miles on them and they are holding up exceptionally well and really don’t even smell which is interesting because most of that training was done in Houston.
I used to work in a bike shop and tried on both Scott’s and Shimano’s tri shoes and both seemed to be rather wide in the toe box.
What I look for in a shoe is comfort first, then a carbon sole, and last, ease of putting them on (the loop on the back to pull them on, how well they open up to slide my foot in).
I had a pair of Nike carbon-sole cycling shoes, which seemed to fit and were comfortable. I went with size 12, which is my usual shoe size for anything but running shoes.
During a thorough bike fit, I took some advice and went one euro size up to 47’s (US12=EU46). These are Sidi’s which are indeed comfortable, carbon/composite blended sole. I probably have around 300 miles in them so far, though the Chicago weather is getting crappy (so trainer time is going to increase). However, the Nike shoes retailed for $150ish I think, and I got them on clearance for $50 at a special Trek store event. The Sidi’s cost around $300. I can’t yet discern any noticeable difference in comfort, power or anything else.
FWIW, go with whatever you’re comfortable wearing and riding in. The time spent pulling on/off your shoes is negligible, especially when compared with the comfort factor when you’re riding.
In most tris, the majority of the time is spent on the bike but no one talks about tri spefic cycling shoes. Why is that?
What are the best cycling shoes for tri on the market? Why are they the best for you? What are you looking for in a tri cycling shoe?
Probably because of the personal preference/differing last issue. The discussion would become what we have seen above…I love brand X because they fit me, No brand y is better because brand X is too wide…etc.
'10 trivents went with a standard top strap vs the older one that got progressively wider up top. The shoe opens up a lot more now but doesnt have the loop on the heal.
Have both '08 and '10 models. See how I like the new ones after a few rides.