Road Cycling - Road Shoe recommendations please

Anyone have any recommendations on Road shoes??? I was thinking about going with Sidi or possibly Nike. Any model or brand that you prefer, and for what reason? Fit is important, but what shoes look the COOLEST IYHO and what shoes would you not be caught dead in?? Are Diadora shoes any good?? What shoe offers the best bang for your buck??

Mikemets should be able to answer your query better than me. He has probably tried at least two or three brands. I use Sidi. I have never used another brand, other than Sidi.

Go and try different ones on. See what fits you. The cheapest shoe that fits you comfortably is the best value. But then again, the $180 Sidi Genius is quite nice. :D

Sidi's are really nice, Diadoras, Carnacs,,,,....

I've never gotten along with the Nike shoes, neither have a lot of people at my shop. Just go out and try them on.

Good luck

I have used Shimano and now I use Sidi's. I like the fit of the Sidi's they are real nice. My advice is to go to a store that carries a good selection and start trying them on.

I bought a pair of Sidi's recently, i love them. $195 or so was a bit pricey though.

Sidi, Carnac, Diadora produce wonderful shoes. However, they are a bit on the expensive side. I am cheapskating on Adidas shoes: Campiolo, and--recently--also Girano. Reasonable quality at a fair price, especially if you find them on a discount.

The previous picture shows the Campiolo. Here's the Girano:

Here's something else to consider.

I have Shimano, Lake, and Pearl Izumi shoes and they all fit good even with my wide feet. :)

I have Look pedals and the inside of the PI shoes (2002 Vortex) rubs against the crankarm. I've moved the cleat as far to the inside as possible (to move the shoe away from the crankarm) but it still rubs ever so slightly.

So if you have wide feet you might want to check the crankarm clearance.

i have some northwave evolutions, i love them, and they are compatiable with LOOK, Time, SPD, speedplay (with the proper plates of course)

Originally posted by RonH
I have Look pedals and the inside of the PI shoes (2002 Vortex) rubs against the crankarm. I've moved the cleat as far to the inside as possible (to move the shoe away from the crankarm) but it still rubs ever so slightly.

RonH, exactly my problem. Perhaps somebody could give us a handy solution...

Originally posted by Bruco
RonH, exactly my problem. Perhaps somebody could give us a handy solution...
I widened the rectangular holes (just a tiny bit) but the left shoe still rubs. The right shoe just clears the crankarm.

I just bought a pair of Nike Altea's. They're extremely comfortable, have a stiff carbon sole, and look good (to me).
I can only compare them to the PI Vapor's and Shimano's (the lowest priced one w/a carbon sole) that I tried in the shop. Obviously, they weren't as comfortable as the Nike's.

I like my SIDI Genius shoes.

stinkfist, you didn't say what size(s) you're looking for. In my case, there's only one company (Sidi) that makes cycling shoes even close to my size (52 European; 16 American), so my "fashion" choice was dictated by my shoe size.
(Not that there's anything wrong with the Sidis, besides their price. I'm quite happy with them.)
Good luck

I like Lakes for their value and fit.

I use Shimano and Diadoro as well and have had excellent service out of both.

SiDI genius is on sale at performance

I have Shimano shoes and they seem fine to me. They are still good after a year of riding including winter in the rain and occasionally snow. Like any shoes , the only way to tell what feels good to you is to try on some different ones. Keep in mind that your feet swell after riding for a while.

Unless you know your exact size per brand i would go to a local place where you can try a few on.

I love my Diadora shoes! I find they fit my feet much better than other makes.

Have to put a vote in for Carnacs. They are the only shoe that I have found to fit my wide feet. I have three seasons them and they are still going strong.

I have tried Carnac, (Quartz) Shimano, and as well as a few other brands, the only shoe I use now are Sedi Genius. BTW I have a size 10½ EE, and wear a 44 Mega. (Just bought a 2nd pair on sale at LBS for $150.00). ;)

I still have my old Shimano M100 shoes from 1991. They're a bit thin in the sole however. I have used Lakes and Sidis. Bang-for-buck, I like the Lakes. Both my road and MTB shoes are now Sidis. I think the Sidis fit the best and felt the most comfortable of all the shoes I've owned and tried.

You cant' go wrong with Sidi. I love my Sidi Genius 4's. Try the following web site for a great price. They also have excellent service.
www.totalcycling.com

Count me in on the Sidi genius 4's. Lov'em.

Cheap Diadora Elites. Pleasent surprise, they work...

Shimano always seem narrow, Carnac and Sidi both work but cost more.

anybody used specialized before? I'm kinda thinking aobut getting some of those.

My first Mtb shoes were Specialized. They were reasonably priced and lasted a looooong time. I've never been unsatisfied with a Specialized product.

both pairs of shoes i have, i bought used. which is a great way to invest a small amount of money in a shoe you may or may not like. one pair i got off ebay, the other from a forum member.

the first pair (Specialized Comp) turned out to be a tiny bit small, so i bought another pair (Gaerne Podium) which just arrived and i've ridden once in. either pair i can recommend. both have three straps and no laces, which is important for on-the-fly adjustment. the Gaernes have this fancy ratchet mechanism to tighten the big strap...it's basically indexed adjustments on a shoe! weird. the Specializeds are a hide-me grey, and the Gaernes are a disco-fever blue/red/white. Either one is cool, no idea how much they cost retail.

Another satisfied Sidi Genius wearer.

i used this on my roadbike.. yes its an MTB shoe, but there are times i need to walk and i need the grip. I can't walk on road shoes..

Specialized Comp Mountain

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2003/equip/03shoecompmountain_d.jpg

Originally posted by dexmax
i used this on my roadbike.. yes its an MTB shoe, but there are times i need to walk and i need the grip. I can't walk on road shoes..

Specialized Comp Mountain

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2003/equip/03shoecompmountain_d.jpg


Blasphemy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!but I guess you gotta do what feels real.

I just started out, but my Specialized Sport Road shoes feel just fine....

Originally posted by enac
Blasphemy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!but I guess you gotta do what feels real.

:D

I've had Carnac shoes for about ten years (the ones like Greg LeMond used-two kevlar straps). Comfortable and roomy, extremely stiff and hard wearing. Had a few crashes, scuffs etc but they still look OK.

Gave myself a treat yesterday though and bought a pair of the Quartz ones. These seem to have a snugger fit and don't appear to be quite so incredibly stiff (still pretty solid though). Haven't been able t use them yet as guy in the shop gave me the wrong adaptor (TIME Atac rather than the TBT variety) just a bit annoyed but there we go, these thing happen sometimes. I also presume that attaching the adaptors will stiffen them up a bit more.

If you fancy some Carnac Quartz, add half an European size to them, I am normally 42 but had to take a 42.5, which are a nigh on perfect fit.

Hope this helps.

Originally posted by Phatman
anybody used specialized before? I'm kinda thinking aobut getting some of those.

I have a pair of Rockhopper MTB shoes and Comp road shoes.

The Rockhoppers are ok. I think they didn't leave enough clearence between where the tread starts and where the cleat (SPD) ends. I've had the pedal grab onto the tread and stay attached several times.

The Comps have been great. Tried them on and they fit like a glove. No problems so far, but I've only been using them for about 6 weeks.