…21 years!
The smell alone on a set of shoes that old must be epic. I’ve tried Lake, Shimano, Bont, LG, Pearl Izumi, and Fizik. I have a set of Fizik R5 road shoes that fit nicely, aren’t too expensive, and have boa closures. They’ve become my go to for most riding with the exception of short course tri. It’s worth seeing if you can find somewhere nearby that you can try a variety on. Shoes are very individual even within a model set or brand.
This is certainly the challenge as most of the bike shops only carry Specialized or Bontrager and the only dedicated triathlon shop closed last year after 23 years in business.
I guess most folks order online now for bike shoes??
Shoes are so personal. I have tried Bont, Northwave, Sidi, Bontrager, Giro and Shimano and currently own only Shimano. I really, really wanted to like Sidi and tried several sizes but they were just too narrow and low volume for my feet, plus I couldn’t get the cleats back far enough. Vittoria is a very high volume shoe and Shimano is higher than Sidi. The Bonts were absolutely horrible for me. Bontrager sizing is really weird. I would like to try Specialized but they are $$.
Good grief- 21 years! The velcro fails on mine after 5 years or so.
I order online occasionally but for shoes, I’ve just waited until I’m traveling somewhere and see what kind of bike shops they have around. I regularly end up in Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta and all have places with a decent shoe selection. I assume most large cities will have something if you’re planning to travel anywhere near one.
Triathlon shoes, though, very hard to find any stocked variety… online is probably a best bet.
Good grief- 21 years! The velcro fails on mine after 5 years or so.
I have the velcro strap held together with tape!
I’m still rocking the Giro Empire SLX I wrote about in 2016 for lightweight, comfort, ease of transition, aerodynamics, stiffness. No plans to change although I do have a pair of customs that I have had but I have been to afraid to try them as my feet grew a half size at the least.
Link no bueno… fixed http://www.thomasgerlach.com/2016/05/fastest-ironman-bike-shoes-aerodynamics.html
Curious, when you cut the tongue out, did you need to do anything to keep the cut area from chafing your foot? Also, do the elastic laces feel like they are flexing during your pedal stroke?
I LOVE the specialized S-works
.
I can’t recommend the DMT KR1 highly enough from a comfort perspective. I’ve worn top of the line Sidi, Shimano, Bont and Gaerne and these are the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn especially without socks in a triathlon. You will have to put them on in transition but they feel so good to ride in. Note they are very airy so wouldn’t be a great winter shoe without an overshoe.
https://www.dmtcycling.com/en/road/dmt-kr1
Why do you have to put them on in transition? Are they not stretchy enough to jam your foot into on the bike?
I’ve had Sidi, Shimano and Scott and I think Sidi are the best. They’re pricey but considering I’ve had the Sidis for 10 years and they’re still going strong, I think its worth the extra money.
Link no bueno… fixed http://www.thomasgerlach.com/...es-aerodynamics.html
Curious, when you cut the tongue out, did you need to do anything to keep the cut area from chafing your foot? Also, do the elastic laces feel like they are flexing during your pedal stroke?
Inspired by Thomas, I did exactly this - but with a pair of less expensive laced Garneau shoes. Cut the tongue out, put in flat elastic laces. Loving it… very simple and comfortable. I don’t have any chafing issues - the tongue was stitched on at the base, so I simply removed it. It did not leave a raw cut edge or anything. I don’t notice any sensation that my foot is coming off the shoe while I’m pedaling.
There is no way you will get them on in the peddles. They aren’t that stretchy and were designed for road not triathlon in mind. Elia Viviani is the pin up boy for them.
HI! Sidi haha…T1, also from 1998, and sidi road shoes( I’m on my second pair)
HI! Sidi haha…T1, also from 1998, and sidi road shoes( I’m on my second pair)
That’s the best! Amazing how long they last!!! I am trying a few different pairs now and keep coming back the Sidi T-4 - I guess some habits are hard to break!
John
Link no bueno… fixed http://www.thomasgerlach.com/...es-aerodynamics.html
Curious, when you cut the tongue out, did you need to do anything to keep the cut area from chafing your foot? Also, do the elastic laces feel like they are flexing during your pedal stroke?
Thank you for fixing that link. The tongue was cut out because it bunches too much when trying to slip in. I am sure you could figure out a way for that not to happen but for me the simple, but not so elegant solution was just to cut the tongue out. I have laces set up pretty loose and they are a little bit flexy but I have never felt like it was an issue. I have seen enough monster bike splits by pros running a setup to know that it isn’t a issue with regards to performance.
Your best bet is probably just to get a new pair of Sidi (T4 now?) In the same style (stiffness). My tri shoes are a pair of Sidi T2’s from 2011 and since I’m riding my road bike a lot more now, I recently decided to try to find a good pair of road shoes with boa dials to possibly help with sprinting. It has not gone well. So far I’ve tried Specialized Torch, Shimano RC5, Shimano RC7, and Fizik R3. While the Fiziks may eventually work (they give me much less knee issues than the others), they have all given me knee pain that I’ve never had before (and goes away when I switch back to Sidi). Currently my theory is the issues likely stem from the different fit (the specialized had a built in varus angle that definitely did not work) along with the increased stiffness of the shoes.
Link no bueno… fixed http://www.thomasgerlach.com/...es-aerodynamics.html
Curious, when you cut the tongue out, did you need to do anything to keep the cut area from chafing your foot? Also, do the elastic laces feel like they are flexing during your pedal stroke?
Thank you for fixing that link. The tongue was cut out because it bunches too much when trying to slip in. I am sure you could figure out a way for that not to happen but for me the simple, but not so elegant solution was just to cut the tongue out. I have laces set up pretty loose and they are a little bit flexy but I have never felt like it was an issue. I have seen enough monster bike splits by pros running a setup to know that it isn’t a issue with regards to performance.
I’ve been running the same setup since not long after that post and I’ve absolutely loved it. Easy flying mounts and never any issues after I nervously cut out that tongue. Thanks for that long ago tip!
Sidi makes Speedplay specific shoes that cut out a lot of the stack between your foot and the pedal. I have a pair… love them!
Bont Zero. Stiffest shoes I have ever worn by a long shot.
Fit wide feet, look the bees-knees, and well made.
I have high arches and slightly wide feet. Shimano shoes fit me best. I’ve also found Shimano shoes to be very durable. Currently using new RC-7s on the road and slightly older XC-7s for gravel and singletrack. These are both great shoes and are both priced reasonably.