Do good shoes make a big difference?

[redrhodie]

I'm interested in the difference between carbon and nylon soles, too, if that's what you're asking about. I'm very hard to fit, but considering my current nylon-soled Spesh shoes fit adequately, I expect their carbon-soled shoes will fit the same when it comes time to replace them.

Anyone?

I have both nylon and carbon Specialzed MTBs, and they fit totally differently. Nylon is a roomy 40, and the carbon is a narrow 40.5. You really need to try them on.

[OakLeaf]

Oh, I'd try them on. But how much stiffer are the carbon soles?

[redrhodie]

I don't feel a noticeable difference in stiffness, but I got the carbon ones because I thought they'd help with my IT band issues, and actually, that has gotten better. I did play with my cleat alignment, so that may also be a factor. I've only worn the nylon ones once since getting the carbons, so I guess I like them better.

[Bike Chick]

Good luck finding a shop with carbon sole women's shoes to try on. When I decided to switch to carbon, I couldn't find a bike shop in a 100 mile radius that carried women's carbon shoes in stock. I know I live in a rural area but it seems no one carries high-end women's merchandise in stock. I tried on the nylon sole shoes to get the correct size and ordered the carbons. Like redrhodie said, they ran smaller and narrower.

I won't skip on price when it comes to shoes.

[redrhodie]

Oh, that's true! My shop ordered the carbon ones for me in the size of the nylon, and they were too small. Luckily, they kept them.

To the OP, I really didn't see a big gain in performance from the more expensive shoes. I do think they're cuter, though. That is a motivator for me.

[OakLeaf]

They have them in stock in a shop not too far from me, in fact I was there today but didn't really look at shoes because I don't need any yet.

Really, considering how many miles were on my old Duegi shoes, I may never need another pair of shoes, unless I outgrow these like I did the Duegis.

Okay, okay, I do hope to ride another 40,000 miles in my lifetime, but I don't think I need to go shoe shopping quite yet.