Benefits of road shoes???

[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.