Frustrated with Bike Shoe selection at LBS

[kajero]

I've gone to three different LBS. I can't find any bike shoes I like.

(If you have been following my posts, perhaps the dissatisfaction might be the result of the accident, but I just don't know)

It just seems there is nothing to pick from!

Is it really that great to order on line?

[Bethany1]

If you know your exact shoe size within the brands you are looking at, I don't see why you couldn't. However; if you see a pair you like online, you can always ask a LBS if they can order the pair in for you. Most of the LBS I have visited have terrible shoe selections so you aren't alone.

[pll]

Have you seen the ones Team Estrogen will have, custom red Sidis? Stunning (out of my budget since my Sidis are relatively new):

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showpost.php?p=627256&postcount=26

[kajero]

These are beautiful. I am too scared of clipless shoes at this point. Oh well:(

[ridebikeme]

I can understand your frustration! Unfortunately, many shops stopped carrying shoes because of the online presence. I know many shop owners that would mention people coming into their shop to try on shoes and then buy that same shoe from an online source... so unfortunately that behavior(and that pertains to everything not just the cycling world)has hurt everyone.. the shop, and people like yourself that can't find something that they like or something that fits. :(

Good luck in your search; I hope you find what you are looking for!!



http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com

[Owlie]

[looks at Sidis] [fans self]

Or...they have a decent selection of men's shoes, but very little to choose from in women's shoes. Or they carry only brands that don't fit. (My LBS carries Specialized and Shimano. I don't care for most of the Shimano shoes, and Specialized are a little wide in the heel.)

[pll]

[looks at Sidis] [fans self]


:D Those shoes are seriously hot. No way for me to justify them.

[kajero]

I can understand your frustration! Unfortunately, many shops stopped carrying shoes because of the online presence.

I never thought of this and I should have. I get irritated with my friends who brag about going to Best Buy to check something out and then order it from Amazon because it's cheaper and they don't have to pay tax. I don't think they should be using B&M stores for show rooms. I don't do this and they look at me like I am crazy. So if I don't save $10 and keep the local stores in business is that so bad?

I did go to an LBS to look at some shoes they had showing their site. Although the website said they had my size in stock and when I called to check it was verified, when I got there they said they woulld have to special order them. If they didn't fit I could only return them for credit. So, in that case, I will probably find an online shop where I can return the shoes if they don't fit, even if I have to pay return shipping. It's still better than having $150 in credit at the store that I don't know if I will spend. I would probably have bought them had they been in stock and had they fit. That's is if I decided to ride again after the accident.

[Reesha]

My problem was definitely selection at my local bike shops. They had countless high end mens cycling shoes and only two different types of high end womens cycling shoes. The problem was that they were womens.

I ended up buying my Gaerne G.Emma pair from the internets and luckily got the right size the first time. It's no more frustrating than trying to buy a women's saddle and probably worth the fuss.

[Maye]

:D Those shoes are seriously hot. No way for me to justify them.

Love the Sidi brand. The other day I had them in my shopping cart at one of the online shoe shops. Didn't dare to check them out :( Can't justify $259.00 dollars in a pair of shoes when I already have 3 pairs.

And Kajero, yes, most of the shoes available at the LBS are ugly and the brands with nice shoes usually don't distribute them in the US.