Road Shoes for Newbie

Jocry

Hi all,

I am about to take delivery of a Specialized Allez Sport any day now and am looking for some advice regarding road shoes.

I will be using the bike for commuting "most" days. The route is approximately 16.5km each way with 8.5km of that on a cycle track off the road so no lights or traffic to contend with. However a certain part of my commute will be in the city as I work off O'Connell Street.

I dont have much experience with what shoes to get and whether I should in fact invest in a pair in the first place. I have been looking at several pairs and one which the shop recommended and which I tried on was the Specialized Expert Road with the carbon / glass fiber reinforced outsole and Lightweight Boa L4 clip. I know prices vary and in a lot of cases you get what you pay for. My question is will I really notice much of a difference given the bike and my experience to lets say the Specialized Comp Road pair which are similar bar the stiffness index, or even still the Specialized Elite Road which are cheaper still but with the clip/buckle as opposed the Boa?

Ive only chosen the three above as they are the main pair the shop has but Im obviously open to suggestions (Shimano, etc). While I am a novice I do want to have a decent set up which will give me the best results at least for the time being. I am also hitting my limit of funds for this little project of mine so can't afford the higher end shoes which I know any way I dont need!

I will be using the Look Pedals Keo Classic clipon set to go with the shoes

Thanks for the advice.

Brian?

I'd head to a shop and try a few pairs on. Cycling shoes tend to be narrow in my experience, so if you have wide feet you need to test ahead and avoid wasting money.

What's your budget?

Jocry

I've a narrow instep and tried on the Expert today which were a perfect fit and very comfortable.

I don't want to be going over the 200 mark for both shoes and clip set if I can work it.

Harrybelafonte

If you're only going to be commuting on them then I'd just get something cheap that fits. I really wouldn't worry about stiffness. In saying that, watch the cheaper Shimano which have the "airflow hole" near the toes. You'll regret it on cold or wet mornings. I'd go LBS and try a few on. Comfort first.

Jocry

Thanks for the advice Harrybelafonte, I'm thinking more along the same lines of something reasonable given it is mostly commuting, I dont foresee myself in any sprint racing, etc any time soon

Harrybelafonte

Jocry wrote: »

Thanks for the advice Harrybelafonte, I'm thinking more along the same lines of something reasonable given it is mostly commuting, I dont foresee myself in any sprint racing, etc any time soon

I strted with something like these:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=55382

Notie ofending hole in toe area

PaulKK

I went with these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-r10-road-cycling-shoe/

I'm a UK10 and got size 45.

They are my first pair, have them a few months and found them great so far.

Brian?

PaulKK wrote: »

I went with these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-r10-road-cycling-shoe/

I'm a UK10 and got size 45.

They are my first pair, have them a few months and found them great so far.

That is seriously cheap for shoes. It's about 1/3 of what I paid for my Sidi shoes and I thought I was getting a good deal.

OP, I wouldn't buy shoes online without trying them first though. As for cleats, get the red ones. Your knees will thank you:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Look-Keo-Grip-Cleats-Red/dp/B00518Z6KA/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_6

JMcL

Not sure if you've already sprung for the pedals, or are determined that's what you're going for, but if not, if your prime use will be for commuting - particularly if there's any walking involved at either end - you might want to consider an SPD (as opposed to SPD-SL) pedal combined with a shoe you can walk in.

PaulKK

Brian? wrote: »

As for cleats, get the red ones

Any reason for this? I went with spd-sl pedals and have yellow floating cleats, I actually like the bit of wiggle room they allow.

Brian?

PaulKK wrote: »

Any reason for this? I went with spd-sl pedals and have yellow floating cleats, I actually like the bit of wiggle room they allow.

With look cleats the red have 9 degrees of float, the grey 4.5 and black 0. I found the extra float easier on the knees.

Arthurdaly

I'd agree with Brian, try them on before you purchase and go with the red cleats as they are more forgiving on the knees.

I bought the spec expert as they were a nice fit in the shop, different story on the bike as it was just painfully narrow. Ended up selling them at a loss and getting a paid of northwave. I've also had the dhb shoes which are a great shoe for the money.

Jocry

Thanks for the response all of it has been very helpful.

I havent purchased anything yet regarding the shoes or cleats. The shop has the Expert shoes and Look Pedals Keo Classic clipons put aside for me should I want to take them. I do believe the clipons are adjustable with an allen key from what I saw and was told. I could be wrong relating what is meant by adjusting against the degrees of float which you guys are referring to?!!

Looking through the form wiggle.co.uk and chainreactioncycles.com appears to have very good deals which Im actually tempted to jump at for shoes but my only concern is the obvious fact that I cant try on the shoes before I buy them.

Harrybelafonte

I'd agree with going the SPD route for commuting. You'll get very tired of trying to walk like a flamingo on the KEO. Take the risk with online if you like, but be prepared for alittle extra cost if you need to send them back? For first set I'd still stay go with the LBS.

torydiver

Jocry wrote: »

Thanks for the response all of it has been very helpful.

I havent purchased anything yet regarding the shoes or cleats. The shop has the Expert shoes and Look Pedals Keo Classic clipons put aside for me should I want to take them. I do believe the clipons are adjustable with an allen key from what I saw and was told. I could be wrong relating what is meant by adjusting against the degrees of float which you guys are referring to?!!

Looking through the form wiggle.co.uk and chainreactioncycles.com appears to have very good deals which Im actually tempted to jump at for shoes but my only concern is the obvious fact that I cant try on the shoes before I buy them.

As mentioned, fit and comfort is the most important point,
No point in buying a bargain/special offer pair of shoes if they dont fit,
There are too many variables between sizes with different brands. e.g. a size 44 with northwave may equate to a size 46 with shimano etc.....
Buying shoes is one time I would definitely advocate going to your LBS and trying them on.......

Jocry

Cheers for the advice.

I think I will purchase from the store directly, given some of the prices on 2012 gear which Im seeing I'll still be doing very well by bypassing the online route for once