Is there any disadvantage to using the tri-specific bike shoes? I use the SIDI T1 shoes with a single strap, mainly because they allow me to move very quickly through the transition in sprints and olympic distance tris. But for Ironman distance, where a few extra seconds don’t make much of a difference, is it better to use traditional road bike shoes with more straps and binders that make for an overall better fit?
Comes down to the layout of transition zone, race course, and last but not least personal preference / coolness-factor (unless you race to win).
If the race is hilly, I’d prefer a shoe with a “toestrap”. But only if I can put on the shoes reasonably well (some 3-4 strap shoes are impossible to get into while riding).
If your Tri-Shoes don’t fit well I’d chuck them in any case.