cycling shoes

[violette]

Let's do a survey:

Which road shoes do you think are the highest-rated and the best?

I'm looking for shoes for my road bike but there are so many different types. I have a very narrow foot, size 9-10. I have a pair of ANSWERS MTB shoes which are fabulous, but I don't think they have the road shoes.

[mimitabby]

my husband and I both ride road bikes and wear MTB shoes.
the fact is, we like to be able to walk when we get off the bike!

[Derf]

Just switched from Shimano SPD mountain shoes to Sidi road shoes (Women's Genius). Also got new pedals -- Speedplay Light Action. Haven't had a chance to try them out yet (other than on the trainer at the shop). Hoping i like them. A little nervous that they won't be as easy to use as my mountain bike pedals.

[Grog]

Don't know about the highest rated, but I have a pair of Specialized Carbon Road shoes and they're really great. I tried many pairs before deciding on those. It's important to choose one that fits your feet and makes your comfortable.

I also have a pair of Louis-Garneau "touring" shoes, with recessed cleats (I keep my SPD-mountain pedals somewhere) and I intend to use them again for touring. But for strictly road, sports (not tourism) riding, the Specialized shoes are just great. Especially on climbs.

[Kimmyt]

I have heard that SIDIs are good for narrower feet. From my limited experience in buying my first pair of shoes, I do know that they were too narrow for my slightly wide feet.

Basically, just try a few on and see what you like, but I know lots of people that ride mtb pedals/shoes on their road bikes and can out-cycle me any day!

[bianchigirl]

I got new shoes and pedals for Christmas...was a little worried also that they would not be as easy as SPD's.
They are a little more difficult, but nothing like I thought. So far so good...shoes are Sidi Genius (I had been looking at them for 2 years).

Good luck!

[7rider]

For my road bike, I have (men's) Nike Poggio II's. At first, I didn't really like them, as they seemed to rub just under my ankle bone on the inside. But they seem to have "broken in" and now I think they're fine. Very lightweight - full carbon sole (very stiff). And, well, the silver matches my bike!
I'd probably rate them an 7.5 or 8 out of 10.

[aicabsolut]

Specialized carbon

Great for narrow heels/ankles

[Meaux]

I have a pair of Nike Ventoux II that I got on clearance. I didn't like them at first, but after I broke them in (Nikes run a little small, and my feet are a bit wide at the balls), they're great. I have SPD cleats in them right now, but I'm hoping to upgrade to SPD-SLs or Looks at some point. And I do get the duck walk. I also have a pair of Shimano that are great for walking, but they are a little big for me now and I'm afraid my foot's going to fly out when I'm on the bike.

[stacie]

Love my sidi's. The specialized are too big in the heel for me. s

[Derf]

Love my sidi's. The specialized are too big in the heel for me. s

I also tried specialized and found them too large in the heel area.

[Bluetree]

Specialized carbon

Great for narrow heels/ankles

Love these shoes. I thought I had narrow feet, but the SIDIs seemed a bit TOO narrow for me.

[ccnyc]

I wear size 9.5 and have narrow feet, especially my heel. I love my Sidi Genius road shoes (size 42.5) They feel like they were made just for my feet. I have a very difficult time finding non-biking shoes that fit me so I couldn't believe how easy it was to find biking shoes that fit perfectly. I also have the Sidi winter boot (size 43). With two pairs of socks they fit pretty well.

Love my Sidi's.

Carol

[aicabsolut]

I also tried specialized and found them too large in the heel area.

That's surprising to me. My heels and ankles are what give me problems with most shoes. I do have the road shoes with the neoprene sock liners (the synthetic leather ones, which I have for spin shoes, get stiff after you get them sweaty), and they are very comfy and snug.

I think I need more room in the toe box than Sidis provide.

[Derf]

That's surprising to me. My heels and ankles are what give me problems with most shoes. I do have the road shoes with the neoprene sock liners (the synthetic leather ones, which I have for spin shoes, get stiff after you get them sweaty), and they are very comfy and snug.

I think I need more room in the toe box than Sidis provide.

Yeah, they just felt very "slippy" in the heel area. Too bad cause I really liked them otherwise.