Benefits of road shoes???

[wolfak]

I wear my Specialized Taho's on my road bike and don't mind them at all. I use SPD multiple release mode pedals as well. I also wear a visor on my helmet. I'm super-FRED and I know it, and don't mind it.

I think the Taho is stiff enough - although sometimes I do wonder about getting more power transfer from a keo look pedal. However I'm not that fast, but I'm not really trying to get faster, just enjoying it all.

I think you should do whatever you think is right for you, and if it means trying stuff out, good, if not, also good!

[SCurve]

Honestly, the only reason I "want" to use my mtn bike shoes is that I can't afford another expense! I am a grad student who really should not have bought a road bike in the first place, but I did so for my own sanity.

So I am just trying to figure out if I can get away with keeping the shoes I have.

I must say, though, that with all of your gals' excellent input, I will try out as many options as possible, and, as Wolfak says, do what's best for me. It really has been so helpful hear what several of your issues have been.

BTW, I did experience totally numb feet after a 1.5 hour ride last week, so it may well be the shoes.

Thanks, ladies!

[Miranda]

Honestly, the only reason I "want" to use my mtn bike shoes is that I can't afford another expense! I am a grad student who really should not have bought a road bike in the first place, but I did so for my own sanity.

So I am just trying to figure out if I can get away with keeping the shoes I have.

I must say, though, that with all of your gals' excellent input, I will try out as many options as possible, and, as Wolfak says, do what's best for me. It really has been so helpful hear what several of your issues have been.

BTW, I did experience totally numb feet after a 1.5 hour ride last week, so it may well be the shoes.

Thanks, ladies!

I personally think there needs to be a cycling Santa. He visits year round and just leaves bags full of gear on your porch whenever you send him a letter. How's that for fantasy land? I know what you mean *sigh*.

Well, I had the same issue and upgraded to a road shoe from a mtb, and kept my mtb pedals. My numb foot issue improved. Now I'm thinking about upgrading pedal issues to help more. Lastly, I wish I would have sucked it up somehow and gotten the even stiffer soled (and even more $ of course) road shoes.

This might sound a little gross, but is there anyplace you could try used shoes (maybe new insert)... or maybe less gross, pedals to save $? I don't know if any of your lbs does consignment as folks upgrade?

[sundial]

I'm a Taho gal who uses big Wellgo BMX style platform pedals on the mtb. I use this setup to ride for 1 1/2--2 hour rides and I've never had any numbness or hot spots in my feet (and I wear a 43). I do know that the Tahos are not as stiff as the my other mtb shoes that I wear on my road bike. Depending on what you plan to ride, the Tahos are fine for commuting and smaller rides. Otherwise, I'd look into a stiffer shoe for longer rides. Just curious, what size of shoe do you wear?

[Biciclista]

Keep the shoes you have. I'll bet they're just fine. Most of the people I know use MTB shoes and ride road bikes. You're a grad student, you have way more important stuff to spend your money on than another pair of shoes.

[aicabsolut]

I wear my Specialized Taho's on my road bike and don't mind them at all. I use SPD multiple release mode pedals as well. I also wear a visor on my helmet. I'm super-FRED and I know it, and don't mind it.

I think the Taho is stiff enough - although sometimes I do wonder about getting more power transfer from a keo look pedal. However I'm not that fast, but I'm not really trying to get faster, just enjoying it all.

I think you should do whatever you think is right for you, and if it means trying stuff out, good, if not, also good!

It's not just about going fast and trying to get faster. For one, you may have less rider fatigue with a stiff shoe and more efficient pedaling, and that can translate to longer, more enjoyable rides. So I guess that's the key--improving efficiency. Whether that translates into speed or distance or neither is really up to you and how you like ride and train. Of course, you may not notice a difference at all.

I can understand wanting to save money. If you do have problems with the MTB system like GLC, you'd wind up spending more money in the long run and having a useless pair of pedals sitting in the corner with your Tahoes. If you like the fit of Specialized shoes, they often have some sales around this time of year. You can also go with a lower end road shoe and get a lot of the benefit of having a road shoe without the extra weight savings and bling on the sole that a serious racer would want. Then you'd just have one pedal purchase to make, and so long as you don't go with carbon pedals (which I'm assuming you won't anyway because of the $$) you shouldn't have to worry about doing any catastrophic damage even if they get really banged up over the years.

[GLC1968]

Ah - if money is the issue, then your cheapest route would probably be to buy a MTB shoe with a stiffer sole. Then you could use the same pedal system and probably be free of your pain/problems. You could also go with an inexpensive road shoe and try them using your current pedal system as well. That may work for you (or for the time being).

If you have small feet - check out Specialized.com for sale shoes from the previous years models. I buy all my shoes from them because I wear a 38 in the mens shoes and they always seem to have that size left over. I've never paid more than $60 for new shoes (sometimes carbon!). If your foot is larger, this hint probably wont help much.

I have heard that the Tahoe can be an issue for hotspots. My husband had the same problem, if I remember correctly. That's the lace up shoe, correct? I think that because they made it more 'hiking' friendly, they sacraficed some in the stiffness. It may not matter for shorter rides, but the more time on your bike, the more it might bother you.

Whatever you decide - good luck with it. I know how much it sucks to have foot pain on the bike!