MTB cycling shoe fit

[GumbyGirl]

Hey Ladies!

Needing a bit of feedback from y'all.

I have been wearing Specialized Tahos (women's) MTB shoes for about two years and it's time to move on. I mainly do endurance events (24hrs, 50km, 100km etc) and recently started experiencing toes numbness - mainly big toes but spreads to second toes sometimes. It becomes quite uncomfortable and can prevent me from going the distance, especially in training at the moment (See my thread under Health Issues).

Suggestions (among other great ones) were made that I may need a stiffer shoe so I'm gonna change to a race platform shoe - maybe Shimano SH-WM80

http://www.shimano.com.au/publish/content/global_cycle/en/au/index/products/shoes/mtb/product.-code-SH-WM80.-type-.html

or

Specialized women's BG Pro Carbon MTB shoes

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=26129

I have two questions - can anyone advise on correct fitting of cycling/MTB shoes. I am an ex-runner and am ace at understanding running shoe fitting, but am unsure about MTB/cycling shoes. My lbs is helpful and lovely but usually just asks "does it feel comfy?":rolleyes:

Are there certain specific things I should look for? Snug heel fit, room at end of toes and a bit to wriggle sideways in the toebox (like running shoes)?

Also has anyone got feedback on the shoes above or any other they might like? I am in Australia so we don't get all the brands you lucky ones get, but I'd love to know.:)

Thanks!

[Irulan]

all I can offer is that numbness may be an indicator that your cleat angle is not properly adjusted. ( on the sole of the shoes) Funny, I wear the same shoes, and had numbness until the cleat was set correctly. Now I only get it if I lace them too tight.'


Just my two cents as always.

[sundial]

I have the Specialized BG Pro Carbon Shoe and I really like it! I use it for my road bike, though. :rolleyes: As for the numbness issue, I adjusted my cleat and it helped as well as checking my form during the ride. You might want to experiment with socks too and see if it helps.

As for shoe fit I prefer a shoe with a narrow heel and roomy box toe because during a long ride my feet swell a little. I wear a size 10 street shoe but for cycling I purchased a 43 which fits a 10.5/11 shoe. So far I've not had any issues except for an occasional hot spot.

[Miranda]

I have the Specialized BG Pro Carbon Shoe and I really like it! I use it for my road bike, though. :rolleyes: As for the numbness issue, I adjusted my cleat and it helped as well as checking my form during the ride. You might want to experiment with socks too and see if it helps.

As for shoe fit I prefer a shoe with a narrow heel and roomy box toe because during a long ride my feet swell a little. I wear a size 10 street shoe but for cycling I purchased a 43 which fits a 10.5/11 shoe. So far I've not had any issues except for an occasional hot spot.


I'm going to try giving this thread a bump, vs a new one for now, and see if this gets it...

I have a shoe store in my b-rm trying to find shoes w/roomy toe boxes, and stiffer soles from what I have now due to foot issues. I know Sidis run small. I have mens, even wides, compared to my womans zeta road. I ordered the Specialized Rita mtb, ladies BG Pro MTB, and mens BG Pro MTB. Well, and some PI mtb that turned out to just be a nasty disappointing order:(. They did have a big toe box, why I ordered, but some other things were not good (came used/damaged too, bleah).

The Specialized shoes above were just lovely in person! I ordered what's my street size equal, but too short and tight:(. I'm a US 8 ladies. I ordered 39 in ladies, which Specialized says is an 8.5 US on their site. And, a 39 in mens, which SP says is a mans 7 (aka one size down = ladies 8). Mens were roomier in the toe box as expected.

I don't know if I should exchage for two sizes larger with toes at the end now, or just one? They do make a wide in the mens BG Pro mtb. It starts at size 41 for wides. It looks like from what I seached, people go up one to two sizes for the Specialized brand if your feet are not narrow? :confused:

Gosh, I wish the ladies BG Pro MTB was wider. I wasn't sure if I would like it in blue. But, oh my, what a nice shoe *sigh*.

[beccaB]

I was having a similar problem with the taho's and swithched to moto divas. Sometimes I still have the problem, but a lot less severe. I am happy with them, and they worked well on the 2 centuries We did this summer.