Road Cycling - High cost of road shoes...

WHY? I understand the stiff soles, cleats and the reason for their being. I just don't understand the ungodly price tag. They have to average about $150.00 a pair.

Are they all hand crafted by little old Italians or what? Are they designed to last a life time? I'm gonna have a real hard time convincing myself to shell out that kind of money for a shoe. They'd better be awful damned comfy for that kind of dough!

It's all those funky colors, man!! They ain't cheap.

I do a fair bit of running as well as cycling and I don't think cycling shoes compare too badly against running shoes.

You could argue that both are too highly priced!

At least my cycle shoes have lasted me 3 years now, whereas I'll clock up 600 miles on running shoes inside 6 months and have to replace them.

Stew

I think all the prices that come on bike parts are out rageous. The only problem is, you get what you pay for. If you get cheap shoes, you get cheap shoes. Even though the price on cheap shoes should be the price on good shoes. But I guess if that were the case then we would think the prices were outrageous all over again.

Wildhare, you come to the BikeForums a little late. For months I have posted about super prices on shoes at sierratradingpost.com. They still have some Northwave and Shimano, but the larger sizes are gone. If you wear medium sizes, 42 max, go look at the Specialty Sports, Cycling Apparel. You may get lucky.
Need Coolmax socks? 3/$10 or 6/$18. Go to Longscycle.com. A few days ago they even had a special 6/$14.95. May still be available. Enter SKS in the sale code field on the order form. They even throw in a free cap, sweatband or pen (your choice) with every order.
Regards,
Rainman

Originally posted by RainmanP
Wildhare, you come to the BikeForums a little late. For months I have posted about super prices on shoes at sierratradingpost.com. They still have some Northwave and Shimano, but the larger sizes are gone. If you wear medium sizes, 42 max, go look at the Specialty Sports, Cycling Apparel. You may get lucky.
Need Coolmax socks? 3/$10 or 6/$18. Go to Longscycle.com. A few days ago they even had a special 6/$14.95. May still be available. Enter SKS in the sale code field on the order form. They even throw in a free cap, sweatband or pen (your choice) with every order.
Regards,
Rainman

I'm reluctant to buy online. When I go shopping for shoes I have to try on just about every pair in the store to find one that fits just right. I can try to find something I like in a store then see if I can find it online...pita

Smart man--cycling shoes are best bought in-store. Online works for street shoes (which don't require precise fitting) or if you have a shoe that you know the size and how it fits then go for it. Yes they are expensive but I had my Time Equipes for 10 years. My new Carnacs were $240 (yikes!) but are so comfy and I will be in them for another decade too.

I don't know.... I still think they're outrageously expensive. And if your width is 2E or wider you are very SOL. I can pick up a pair of New Balances for 100$ or less in a proper width but bike shoes seem to start at that mark and then get ridiculous.

With respect to a previous post a quality running shoe that is actually run in is put under much more stress and has to do much more for its wearer than a bike shoe. Of course the bike shoe will last much longer which is the only virtue to their cost IMO

You guys shoulda seen my dad when I told him the fork I want for my bike costs 250 bucks. He nearly hit the roof.

Just back from trying on some shoes. Gee... Starting price for SiDi that fit good except for some heel slippage, $150. Next, Shimano of some sort with carbon fiber sole, $180.00. Last but not least, THE shoe that fit just right? The Carnac Ellipse of course @ $239.00. OUCH! :eek: Can't do it! Nope! Aint gonna... But I will try and find a lower price Carnac because of the fit of the Ellipse.

Yeah, Carnac makes some nice shoes, but none of the local shops ever have one in size 44.5! 45's are too big, and 44's are too tight! I know that they do make 1/2 sizes, and I just might spend $200 on one, but only if it fits perfectly. The shop won't order one unless I put 50% down, first!!!!

Originally posted by D*Alex
Yeah, Carnac makes some nice shoes, but none of the local shops ever have one in size 44.5! 45's are too big, and 44's are too tight! I know that they do make 1/2 sizes, and I just might spend $200 on one, but only if it fits perfectly. The shop won't order one unless I put 50% down, first!!!!

Bastards! :D

I searched the internet for hours last night. There aren't any "inexpensive" Carnacs to be found :( The Shimano SH-R150 fit nicely but the 2001 model is a hideous blue...

Well I'm a cheapskate.I just got a pair of Performance Trophy road shoes and a pair of Forte classic pedals which are look compatable,$125 for the combo.The shoes fit perfectly, guess I got lucky.

I am assuming that the Performance house-brand shoes are adequate, but those Wellgo-made Forte pedals are just absolute garbage. The ones that I got broke the second time I used them, and since they had sat for 3 months since they were ordered, Performance wouldn't refund me the money!
Seriously, for about $15 more, the low-end LOOK pedals are 500% better than those piles of dreck.

Originally posted by Paige
Well I'm a cheapskate.I just got a pair of Performance Trophy road shoes and a pair of Forte classic pedals which are look compatable,$125 for the combo.The shoes fit perfectly, guess I got lucky.

Very lucky! I've tried on Diadora, Vittoria, Specialized, SiDi, Northwave, Shimano, Nike and Carnac. Close to 20 different models... The only one that fits is the most expensive Carnac Ellipse. The only time I've spent over $100.00 on shoes it was for Motocross boots. $230.00 for a little bitty cycling shoe is a tough one to swallow, but it looks like Carnac is my only option for a serious road shoe right now. Hmmmmmmm.........

Yep. Like fubar says, all cycling stuff is awfully expensive. I mean, you can buy a decent car tire for what a good bicycle tire costs. And you sure aren't paying for workmanship or materials.

Anyhow, FWIW, the best prices on quality road shoes are at totalcycling.com. I post this for general information, given that you don't want to mail order, and they don't have the Ellipse(?).

They really don't have a very big selection, and most of their prices seem higher than zonabici.com has. Their campagnolo chorus 10sp groupset price is nearly $200 more than zonabici! Are all the prices without VAT added? I know that Zonabici's are. Still, the small amount you will save on shoes, compared to the Nashbar catalogue, will be more than eaten up in the international shipping charges, and in duty charges.