Sidi road shoe recommendations

[Cari]

Ok, I've completed my first century in MTB shoes with SPD pedals, and now my feet hurt. Now it's time for a little reward.

I've saved up for a good pair of road shoes and I'd like some Sidis with nice, stiff carbon soles. Unfortunately, the only women's carbon-soled model is the all-white Genius 5.5 HT's, and somehow I can't seem to get used to the color. (Although I suspect they wouldn't stay white for long... )

That leaves me only with men's shoes to choose from. Have any of you tried Sidi Ergo 1's or the men's Genius 5.5 HT's? Do you think it's worth it to spend the extra cash on carbon soles?

~Cari

[Squirrel 2]

Not sure if you would be happy with the fit of the road shoes -- the heel cup will be wider than what you are used to & might cause you some slippage. Definitely a try-before-you-buy issue when considering a man's shoe last. I ride a man's mountain bike shoe for a winter shoe, but in winter I wear very thick socks & lace up tight around the ankles, no can do for summer. For summer I use the Sidi women's mountain bike shoes because the sole is stiff enough for me, but the uppers are soft, which is another place where I have foot troubles. My husband uses a carbon-soled shoe from Specialized & swears it is worth the extra $$ to have the stiffness. That shoe is too stiff for me overall.

One other comment would be about your pedals -- SPD's are a very small platform. I used to ride them & would get hot-spots on the balls of my feet on long rides. I switched to Time Attack pedals, which are a larger & more stable platform, kept my Sidi Dominators & have been happy ever since.

[Cari]

Not sure if you would be happy with the fit of the road shoes -- the heel cup will be wider than what you are used to & might cause you some slippage. Definitely a try-before-you-buy issue when considering a man's shoe last.

I worry about that too... my foot is a bit wide in front but not at the heel. But it seems like regardless of whether I wear a man's shoe (my very old Sidi Bullets) or women's (the newer Dominator 5's), I need to wear thick socks (Defeet Cush 3D socks) in order to get a good fit. Size 41's are just a tiny bit too short (I can feel the front of the shoe with my big toe) and in 41.5's, my foot slides all over the place.

One other comment would be about your pedals -- SPD's are a very small platform. I used to ride them & would get hot-spots on the balls of my feet on long rides.

I think you're right. I've always used SPD's on my mtb but they're the ones that come with a platform. For the roadbike I got some inexpensive Shimano pedals without platforms.

[SR500]

I would stick with some regular Genius 5's, great shoes. No carbon, but the sole is very nice. Put the extra $$$ towards some sweet pedals.

[SadieKate]

The Genius 5s are very stiff. Is there some reason you want the carbon?

[SJCzar]

I also have the Genius 5's, but in the metallic blue color. I find them really comfortable.

[Cari]

The Genius 5s are very stiff. Is there some reason you want the carbon?

The carbon soles are 45g lighter, but mainly I was looking for stiffness. I guess Sidi shoes have a reputation for not being very stiff, which is why I thought I should go with the carbon sole instead of nylon. The soles on my Sidi Dominator 5's actually flex somewhat, and the ones on my very old Sidi Bullets flex a *lot*. I'm a big girl with biiig legs!

Do you think the HT carbon sole & the Ergo sole are overkill? What are the drawbacks to using a very stiff sole? I've never used proper road shoes & pedals, so I'm lost here.

Maybe I should give the Genius 5's a chance? I guess I just thought that if I'm going to spend a lot of money on something, I may as well get something that will keep me happy for a long time. I try to buy the best quality I can afford and take good care of my things so they last a long time. Plus I *hate* being in a situation where I feel like my feet give out before my legs do. At the century on Saturday, what hurt was my seat, my feet, my hands, and my shoulders.

Honestly, if the women's Genius 5.5 HT's came in that gorgeous metallic blue, or a silver or titanium color, I would have made up my mind ages ago.

[Cari]

I would stick with some regular Genius 5's, great shoes. No carbon, but I'm the sole is very nice. Put the extra $$$ towards some sweet pedals.

I was going to get the Look KeO Carbons. Would these be good? I can also get a good deal on the KeO Carbon Ti's, which have a titanium spindle (instead of cromoly steel) and are 40g lighter. I don't know *anything* about road pedals, but I didn't think the $100 price difference was worth it. Any thoughts?

[maillotpois]

I was going to get the Look KeO Carbons. Would these be good? I can also get a good deal on the KeO Carbon Ti's, which have a titanium spindle (instead of cromoly steel) and are 40g lighter. I don't know *anything* about road pedals, but I didn't think the $100 price difference was worth it. Any thoughts?

I've got the regular Look Keos - just changed from regular Looks. I love them. Great platform, easy in and out. I can get into the pedals while standing to start from a stop light.

I have to wear men's shoes because I am a women's 11, and women's shoes only go to a 43. I need a 44. Anyway, if you can get women's shoes, get them. Sidis tend to run a bit small...

[SR500]

I was going to get the Look KeO Carbons. Would these be good? I can also get a good deal on the KeO Carbon Ti's, which have a titanium spindle (instead of cromoly steel) and are 40g lighter. I don't know *anything* about road pedals, but I didn't think the $100 price difference was worth it. Any thoughts?

I have Ritchey pedals and my DH has Campy, so can't help you with the Look's, but they "look" nice. $100 for 40 grams is fairly stiff, I know my husband's Campy pedals have a titanium sprindle.

Also if you have a local shoe repair shop they can stretch the Sidi's a hair for a perfect fit. Not fun to always wear thick socks.

[SadieKate]

My Genius 5s are very stiff. Probably stiffer than the Doms but the Doms get walked in which breaks down the soles. I've never heard rumors that Sidis soles aren't stiff and if you aren't seriously racing, how stiff do you need them?

I've got Look Keo carbon pedals that I love. I've used Looks for 20-some years and these are the best yet. Incredibly easy to click in. The Carbons have 2 bearings rather than one which should give them a longer life and are 20 grams lighter but the Sprint can be adjusted to a lighter release tension and get excellent reviews. Price difference of $80. The Sprints received Bicycling Magazines' Pedal of the Year designation.

[Cari]

Thank you all, I'm taking your advice. I went with the women's Sidi Genius 5's and the Look KeO Carbon pedals. I have another century in a couple of weeks, so hopefully I will have broken them in nicely by then.

I'll put my lovely Genius 5.5 HT's back in the shipping box and return them to TE, hoping for a brighter future in which Sidi starts making women's shoes in other colors... heheh.

For the MTB I'm going to stick with my SPD pedals, since I have the ones with the resin cage which gives me a nice little platform. Also I'd like to get back into spinning and most of the gyms here use SPD pedals, so it saves me from having to have separate shoes for that. But I'll definitely keep the Time ATACs in mind if I ever consider changing. I have several friends who swear by them.

~Cari