Mtn Shoes?

[Mistie]

Hello All! I would love your input on what type of mountain shoes you use on your bike. I have a road bike with mountain clip pedals. I like the setup a lot. So, if you have mountain clip shoes, what do you use? Why do you use these? Do certain ones run small? I plan to get a new pair as my current ones are DH's hand-me-downs while I got used to the pedal and clipping in. I am so good with it now, but his shoes are rubbing beneath my inside ankle bone and blister on heel. THANKS a bunch!

[Aggie_Ama]

I have Specialized Riata for mountain biking because 1. Price (under $100 at LBS) 2. They were pretty cute for bike shoes. My feet are pretty narrow and I wish they were slightly narrower in the toe box but otherwise I am pretty pleased with the value, comfort and durability. I used them on my commuter road bike with Crank Brother's Candy pedals and they were comfortable for a 28 mile commute.

[malkin]

Sidis are narrower than Specialized.

I recommend trying on as many different brands as you can find locally before you make up your mind.

[tzvia]

Shimano makes some nice comfy mtb shoes- I use the WM60 shoes, 3 strap and fiber soles, so they are stiff and light. Also have SIDI Bullet 2s, but the soles flex a bit as they are just nylon. I tried the Specialized, but the plastic mount point for the buckle was a pressure point on the sides of my feet so I returned them. Sidi ran the narrowest, with Specialized and Shimano about the same width in my size (38).

Quite frankly, I wanted (and still want) a nice stiff carbon soled SIDI, but they don't make mtb shoes in 38 with carbon soles. The Shimanos were my last choice and I thought I would be disappointed with them but so far, they are as comfortable as Sidi (to me), with a bit more room for the toes, and appear well made. If they hold up anywhere as well as Sidi does (from previous experience), they would be a good buy.

Of course as already been said, shoes are as individual a thing as the saddle and you may have to try on a few to find one that fits and feels best.

[sundial]

I use Specialized BG Pro mtb shoes on the road bike with my Frog cleats and Specialized Tahoes on the mountain bike with bmx platform pedals.

[kfergos]

I have Specialized Riata for mountain biking because 1. Price (under $100 at LBS) 2. They were pretty cute for bike shoes. My feet are pretty narrow and I wish they were slightly narrower in the toe box but otherwise I am pretty pleased with the value, comfort and durability. I used them on my commuter road bike with Crank Brother's Candy pedals and they were comfortable for a 28 mile commute.

I've had a pair of these for going on 3 years, and they've served me very well on everything from my normal 13-mile commute to 100+ mile multi-day rides. I recommend them if they feel comfortable to you.

[Brandi]

I have Specialized Riata for mountain biking because 1. Price (under $100 at LBS) 2. They were pretty cute for bike shoes. My feet are pretty narrow and I wish they were slightly narrower in the toe box but otherwise I am pretty pleased with the value, comfort and durability. I used them on my commuter road bike with Crank Brother's Candy pedals and they were comfortable for a 28 mile commute.

Ditto! I love these shoes! and I use the crank brother eggbeater's. had the candies but had a problem with them. Can't explain all I can say is there was a thingy that would get out of place and I wouldn't be able to clip back in.

[Eden]

Quite frankly, I wanted (and still want) a nice stiff carbon soled SIDI, but they don't make mtb shoes in 38 with carbon soles.

Have you tried any Sidis? They tend to run about quite small, so if you take a 38 Shimano, you might need a 39 Sidi.... (I take a 37 Sidi - yes it sucks that they don't make the high end shoes in the smallest sizes)

[Aggie_Ama]

I've had a pair of these for going on 3 years, and they've served me very well on everything from my normal 13-mile commute to 100+ mile multi-day rides. I recommend them if they feel comfortable to you.

Were they not too flexy? I have thought about switching to mountain on my roadie because it is so much more comfortable for walking but these aren't super stiff like I have grown used to with my Sidis.

Ditto! I love these shoes! and I use the crank brother eggbeater's. had the candies but had a problem with them. Can't explain all I can say is there was a thingy that would get out of place and I wouldn't be able to clip back in.

If they fit the original poster well I have to say these are some great shoes for the price. I think they were $86? My co-worker thinks they are so adorable I should just sport them with jeans if I have the bike and she is a 26 year style-hound. LOL. They haven't changed the style since I got them in 2006, I am tempted to grab another pair because they really are adorable for bike shoes.

I am probably going to stop using Candies on my mtn bike, I can't get out quick enough but they were fabulous for commuting.

[tzvia]

Have you tried any Sidis? They tend to run about quite small, so if you take a 38 Shimano, you might need a 39 Sidi.... (I take a 37 Sidi - yes it sucks that they don't make the high end shoes in the smallest sizes)

Yep, I have bullet2's , in 38.5. After a short while, my soles would ache- (I have foot issues including the flattest flat feet you could ever imagine.) This would only happen in flexy shoes. I suspected it, but did not know for sure till a photo was taken of me cycling. It showed that as my foot pulled up, the sole actually bent down at the ball of my foot- very obviously. Oh- and the shoes I mentioned above, are WM80s, not WM60s. They are wonderful. So far, no aches- and they feel great. I just wish they were not white. I mean, come on- they are supposed to be for dirt riding!

[Zen]

I wear some kind of old Shimanos because I got them for $20 used

[Aggie_Ama]

Yep, I have bullet2's , in 38.5. After a short while, my soles would ache- (I have foot issues including the flattest flat feet you could ever imagine.) This would only happen in flexy shoes. I suspected it, but did not know for sure till a photo was taken of me cycling. It showed that as my foot pulled up, the sole actually bent down at the ball of my foot- very obviously. Oh- and the shoes I mentioned above, are WM80s, not WM60s. They are wonderful. So far, no aches- and they feel great. I just wish they were not white. I mean, come on- they are supposed to be for dirt riding!

Slight threadjack- have you looked into orthos? I wear Aline insoles in my road shoes for the opposite issue- very high arches and it made a world of difference. Sidi insoles are AWFUL. Specialized are the best out of the box and Shimano are somewhere in the middle but orthos like Aline or Superfeet really customize and help. You sound like you have it figured out but still orthos really upped my comfort on the road, I don't mountain enough yet to notice.