Road Cycling - Road shoe advice needed

After 10,000 miles of service, my $70 Shimano road shoes are giving out. They gave me good service for the money, but now I want a lighter and stiffer shoe. Stiffness is real important, but I'd like some advice on how stiff they should be and what is the best sole material to get that stiffness. Right now I am most impressed by a Shimano shoe and a Nike shoe both in $170 range. The Shimano has a full carbon sole and the Nike has a carbon insert where the cleat goes. Anybody have any experience with these or similar shoes? How do carbon soles work for you?

Any other advice on shoes is very welcome.

Rich

I have Diadora shoes with a full carbon fiber sole. I believe full carbon is about as stiff as you can get. But, if you do get a different material, I don't think you're really going to feel the difference as long as you can't actually bend the shoe in your hands. You could very easily save your money and get a pair of shoes w/o a carbon sole that would be just as stiff.

I still like my Sidi Genius shoes after three years. Many of my fellow riders also either ride the road or mountain versions and no complaints. They are very stiff and I like the quick-release adjustment for tightening or loosening on the fly. I have seen some of the the Nike and Shimano shoes and they do look like a good design. I guess I trust Sidi the most since they actually make the shoes. The others I doubt actually make their shoes but farm the manufacturing out to shoe makers. At least that is my take on it.

I don't know the answer maybe some others do, but I was wondering about the durabiltiy of carbon soles since they will get scuffed up as shoes often do. Would you have to worry about the composite getting shreaded? Is the actual carbon exposed to wear and tear or is it encased in some other durable material? Questions to ask I guess.

Good luck on your choice.

You asked the same questions I have about carbon soles. I wonder if they can be shredded as you suggest.

SIDIs are too narrow for me. Cyclists and shops all talk about the megawide sizes. But no one around here stocks them. So I have no opinion of SIDIs other than that I have never gotten one to go on my foot.

Rich