Road Cycling - Road bike, mountain shoes

I just bought a lighter, faster road bike for my daily 10-mile fitness ride.

The bike is a Fuji Roubaix-Pro, as if I hadn't posted that a hundred times already. I bought Wellgo SPD-R pedals with it, but have been unable to find comfortable road shoes to go with them.

Like Goldilocks, I've tried Diadora Cosmo (too small), SIDI Genius Mega-mesh (too large), and Carnac Legend (almost just right, but not quite).

I want to keep the Carnacs and really try them out, but I'm afraid my feet are going to hurt and I'll be stuck with a $200 pair of shoes I don't like.

So it's back to my trusty Shimano SPD-compatible mountain bike/touring shoes. They're comfortable; I can walk home in them if my bike breaks down; and best of all, I can pull out of the pedals really fast when I have to.

I guess I'll put the Wellgo pedals on the shelf and hope that someday, in some bike shop, I'll find a pair of comfortable road shoes.

In the meantime, I've ordered a pair of Nashbar ATB pedals (Bicycling Magazine award) in blue to match my bike (why not?). Nerdy, I know; but in the immortal words of my high school English teacher, "You can't be a hero if your shoes don't fit."

Condor,

If the sidi genius mega is too large, try the regular sidi.
I have a fairly wide foot, but the sidi fits fine (and I always
thought they were narrow cut shoes).
give em a try

Marty

Shoes and saddles are the most personal of bike accessories. However, running, hiking or just walking require a snug, perfectly fit shoe to eliminate rubbing and blisters and to protect your feed from the pounding. As an avid hiker I am fastidious about my boots.

In contrast, cycling is up and down, around and around. I've never got a blister cycling. I like my cycling shoes loose fitting as my feet swell as I ride filling the void. If I cinch the straps down I lose feeling in my feet withing 10 miles. Therefore, I worry less about perfect fit for my cycling shoes than I do for my hiking boots.

I also ride my MTB shoes on my road bike. I like my MTB shoes a lot (Shimano M220s, if you must know), and don't have road shoes anymore. What's more? I have Egg Beater pedals on my MTB and liked them so much I put another pair on my road bike. The pure roadies ask me about the pedals, but never the shoes.

I have been puzzled.. While on my touring bike, the comfort is ok. But after about 60 miles, I feel a LITTLE more achy than on my road bike.. Notice it in the hands and feet.. SO, of course, i blame the bike..
Other day I was in my favorite LBS where I bought my touring bike.. Asked, could my slight discomfort be due to the bikes fit.. Got some suggestions..
However, subject came up of shoes.. My touring bike has SPD, my road bikes have Look... I'd say worst pain is in the feet.. Talked to other former SPD riders in the store.. They all felt their feet hurt more with SPD... Thought reason- smaller cleat makes for more pressure about this smaller contact point.. Think I agree..

As you are probably tired of hearing, I have Egg Beaters on my commuter tourer as well as both my road bikes. I loved them as soon as I tried them. With 4 sides available, you don't even have to THINK about clicking in; it just happens. I wear mtb shoes most of the time now. For commuting they are just so much more practical. I have a pair of North Waves that look just like North Wave road shoes so they are not even obvious except that I don't waddle when I walk. BTW, I have several pair of road shoes; I'm just waiting for Crank Brothers to perfect the road cleats. Even then, mtb shoes will still be more comfortable and practical for the commute.

Originally posted by cyclezealot
... Thought reason- smaller cleat makes for more pressure about this smaller contact point.. Think I agree..

I would agree, to a point, however the stiffness of your shoes soles also play a part. If the soles are solid, they should transmit force equally across the bottom of the shoe without regard to cleat/pedal size. A flexy sole will necessarily require a larger cleat to avoid that "standing on a pointed rock" feel.

Aside from the width issue, I think the unbending nature of road shoes contributes to my discomfort in them. On the pedals I mean, not walking around. My ATB pedals are wide enough that I don't get a pointy feeling through them.

Also I've almost killed myself just walking down the back steps in road shoes. The SPD-R cleats are really slippery.

Not saying I wouldn't like to use them if I could find comfortable shoes, though.

Condor.