Why the LBS isn't getting my money...

[Eden]

My Sidi's are just about calling it quits. The velcro is giving out and the heels are wearing down. So I've decided to replace them. I have small feet and as I find it somewhat disappointing that Sidi does not offer their higher end shoes in my size I figured I would look at several other brands before I make up my mind to buy another pair. (oh and the best ones I can get have ugly blue flowers on them this year...)

I went to 4 different shops today hoping to get a look at some nice pairs of shoes. Not a single one had anything above the lowest end shoe with a buckle for women..... I couldn't even get a good look at a pair of them, much less try any. I can understand that with these tight financial times it is impractical to keep a ton of stock on hand and they might not have all the sizes in stock. I could get an idea of the fit from the lower end shoes, but I at least wanted to check out the construction.... (I did not like the buckles on the pair I tried - I wanted to be able to see that there were better ones on the more expensive shoes or not). If I can't at least see what I want there, what reason do I have to order there...

Sigh.... they still think guys have and control all the money out there. They've all lost the chance to get mine.

[Aggie_Ama]

The LBS I shop at wins my praise for having Sidi, Shimano and Specialized. The least expensive to the usually next to most expensive for women. I know they have the carbon Sidi and Specialized but I don't think the customer carbon or S-Works for women (or men). Very few other shops in Austin do that. I know it is overhead but you also win my business by having the product I need.

[gnat23]

Dunno if this helps at all, but Sidi gives the impression that most of the shoe is replaceable/fixable. Are you perchance near one of their "magnet" locations?

http://www.sidiusa.com/dealers.html

-- gnat!

[Eden]

I could get my current Sidi's fixed to an extent, but they really are pretty worn. The velcro has given up, the heels, though I have kept the pads replaced are pretty ground down and the side of one is kind of chewed from a crash....

I've acquired little cash stash I've set aside for a new pair of shoes and we have a Sidi pro deal with my team that gets them down to a reasonable price. That is less of an issue right now than just being irritated because I can't even check out different brands... I have realized today that NONE of the mfg's offer their highest end models in women's sizing - thanks guys....

[Bluetree]

I feel your pain, Eden. I barely got in with the minimum size 6.6 Sidi (38) and would be SOL if I needed anything smaller. As it is, I'm shut out of the Vernice Ergos that I wanted.

I try to open a dialog with the LBS managers/owners in my area and explain that I would buy more stuff if there was anything I thought would work for me. Luckily, my team kit comes in XS women's sizes and many of the European clothing brands go smaller.

[Miranda]

Hi Eden...

I feel your pain. This in one reason I *hate* our lbs. Not only do they NOT carry the stuff I need (ok, fine--I'm familiar with the concept of inventory carrying cost) BUT if you order it in... they expect you to keep it *regardless* if it works or not!

Alright, if I had a crystal ball that might work for me. But seeings how I do not... how in the world can they b*tch and complain about me giving my $ to peeps like my beloved cyber friends here at TE--who totally understand, and have an awesome return/exchange policy?

Actually, I had one of our lbs owners literally have a tantrum equal to that of my children's behavior as toddlers on why I ordered my Sidi's on TE! Omg, it was awful. I purposely know which car HE drives, and which one the non-tantrum throwing mechanic drives. Sooo... I can purposely avoid him when stopping in to see new stuff--just so I don't have to deal with the bs. Drives me away basically as a customer. If they have it, great. My local bike club card gets me a 10% discount in an effort to support local shops, via buying from the net. But... if I'm uncertain/or they don't stock it, I'm not buying (cuz see reason above).

AHHHH... I feel cleansed now, Eden (rant concluded). Thanks for reading through that if you made it.

I don't know how small your feet are, but here are some awesome fitting/nice stiff light soles, that work for me. Mavics. Full carbon sole. Go down to ladies size 6 US. I bought mine off CompetativeCyclists. They have a pretty good return/exchange policy. Never had a problem with them. Dunno on shipping. But, I bought the lower end equal of this shoe via free shipping from I *think* ColoradoCyclists??? The upper model stretches more for my foot neuroma across the ball (look at the netting material), so I got that. Plus, I wanted the best carbon sole I could get (well, what's offered in ladies anyway--the guys get the upgrades *sigh*--bigger market). The lower one is not carbon.

Hopefully of some help!

Here is a link to my shoes (btw, not ridden in yet to report on, broken bone in my foot atm)...

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/ro...04.2233.0.html

EDIT: Read the fine print at the bottom of CC description... even though not sized on their site as offered by them, states it goes down to size 4.5 US ladies.
(link to Mavic's website--maybe inquire or google the size plus the shoe to find smaller than CC has??)
http://www.mavic.com/road/products/xena.320404.10.aspx

[tctrek]

I feel your pain! I am a Size 6 US, 38 EU and have purchased all of my cycling shoes online. I've been lucky that I haven't had to return, but I use TE and Performance Cycling which both have great return policies.

[Crankin]

I wear a size 5.5 or 6 shoe and 38s in Sidis. I have never had any other brand, but I suspect that I would need a 36 or 37 in other brands. My road shoes have had dead velcro for 2 years; my husband replaces the heel things regularly, since i seem to be very hard on my shoes.
The shoes I have are 38 Megas, which they don't make anymore. I don't have wide feet, but I have a bunion and my left foot is bigger than my right. I just got a new pair of red Genius (sp) 5s from Backcountry.com outlet. I had been searching for the red ones for awhile; I know TE had them, but I missed out when they had my size. I wore them for the first time yesterday. Not a big difference in the feeling, but I hope with warm weather, I don't notice it because my feet swell sometimes when it gets above 80.
All of my shoes have come from Performance before this (mtb shoes and road shoes). I don't even go into a bike store for them, because no one carries my size and the prices are outrageous. I also don't buy any cycling clothes in local stores. Sorry, but they just don't have what I want. Just about all of my clothes are Terry brand and that's who I buy from. I do get a few things from TE, mostly commuter/casual cycling stuff or accessories. I know the local stores need to make $, but they just don't meet my needs. After spending a lot on a bike there, I think I've done my part! I buy tubes and stuff like that there once in awhile, but I hate paying full price for stuff.

[Eden]

I did finally find a shop that actually had some pairs of the Specialized women's Pro model in the shop. And voila - see I picked it up a shoe and wow - it was so light I was sold... see what having them there can do.... I did have to order my size, but it only took 3 days for them to come in to the shop.

Now I just wish the shop guys were not so dippy. I also bought a tire for my husbands rain bike while I was there and they over charged me by $15... (the price tag says $45 and somehow they charged me $60...) so I have to go back.