Originally posted by Terry

It makes no sense to me. Can any of you explain WHY anyone would by hyper-expensive riding shoes to spin when all you need are cleats/there are cages on the pedals?
Terry
As a sometimes-spin-instructor and part-time LBS employee, I'll bite....

I think that the demographic we are talking about here ("ladies who lunch" have morphed into "women who gym"?) are accustomed to having "the best"---no matter what it is.

If one is routinely dropping $400 on Blahniks (shoes for the fashion-impaired ) then $200 bucks for Sidis is pocket-change.

Personally, I have sold more of the "entry-level" Sidis (~$120) to the spin-only group. They tend to like the simple velcro straps (those buckles are intimidating!) and Sidis glove-like fit and made-in-Italy cachet are definitely selling points.

As far as cleat set-up...since these women do not have bikes, I have no way of checking cleat placement (most customers wanting help with that throw their bike on the trainer). I will usually "place" the cleats in as neutral position as possible, explaining to the customer that she will need to snug them down after she has determined they are placed correctly for her pedaling style.