Road Cycling - Road Shoes Question

I have just purchased A pair of Shimano Ultegra R600 pedals, i now need to buy road shoes, 2 questions, How tight should they be and what brand should i buy. My LBS is trying to sell me SIDI Genius 4 Lorica or Mesh. THere are so many different shoes to pick from, the LBS automatically grabs the most expensive one in the store and says this one is good, i grab the SIDI Dynamic 3 mesh and say whats the difference and the guy has a blank look on his face. I do like the arch compression strap. Can anyone reccommend anything else to look at.

I am currently using Pearl Izumi Vagabond MTB shoes (Beacuse the LBS i went to said they would be easier for city riding) and Shimano M324 SPD shoes (just sold on ebay). The ATB shoes are loose on me i can fit my finger behind my foot as i pedal and i believe this is causing some of my foot pain. Hot Spots maybe? I did make the mistake of trying them on with regular cotton socks and not the cycling type sock i wear.

Any help is apreciated.
David

I use the Sidi Genius 4, and I love the the compression strap... These shoes fit very well.. Been using them for about 1 year. I did get them at a very good price though for the Genius 4. Shop around, for which ever shoe you decide on.

In a Competitive situation you want your shoes so tight that your feet can not move around in the shoe. That's why all the straps, etc... Your toes should be right at the front of the shoe, touching the front without curling your toes when you're standing. For regular road/century/club riding you don't have to get then that tight but they should be snug. Finding a shoe that is wide can be a prob. Finding a shoe your comfy with can take time and $$$. But once you're sure about your size and width, you can stick to a brand.

Personally, I spent ~$30.00/pr. on a recent shoe purchase. I bought 3 pr of AXO Altis 3 shoes from Performance Bikes. I was able to buy mailorder because I know my size, and I've used AXO shoes since 1986 because they have a wide toe box, they fit my wide feet. Like SIDI, they're main market is motocross boots and shoes. They only have 1 strap, but I'm not competing right now and I'm not sure I'd buy a shoe just for the extra straps and adjustments even if I was. I can usually squeeze 3 yrs out of a shoe, so I figure I got ~9yrs of shoes for ~100.00. You don't have to pay those high prices.

Better shoes will have 3 straps and for good reason.I like my shimano's.

The Sidi's are exspensive but they fit well and last.

lol

you borrowed my avatar :D

Go USPOSTAL :D

Originally posted by djbowen1
THere are so many different shoes to pick from, the LBS automatically grabs the most expensive one in the store and says this one is good, i grab the SIDI Dynamic 3 mesh and say whats the difference and the guy has a blank look on his face.

:D :D :D LBS guys are also salesmen:D :D :crash:

Buy what you can afford(make sure it fits though)..

Choosing shoes is just like choosing saddles.. The best fit isn't necessarilly the most expensive one..