Road Cycling - A few road shoe questions

Well, I ordered a pair online and they were too small. Luckily, upon close inspection I found a defect so I can send them back and not worry about shipping. Here are some questions before I order new ones (please don't say "buy from an LBS". I live 1.5 hours from the nearest one and I don't want to spend 200% compared to online prices):

1. The shoes were Lake and I ordered size 45 (which should be a US 11) but they were toe-crushing tight. What's the difference in moving up to 46? Is it one inch longer? A centimeter? Will it be a tad wider? etc

2. I removed the insoles and the shoes fit better (but still tight). If the insoles had fixed the size problem, would it have been OK to ride w/o them, or is that just asking for trouble?

3. Anyone have any experience with the Lake CX 125?

Thanks!

Let me add: My question about 45 to 46 was to see if a 46 will fit OK. The 45 was the exact length of my foot, but crushed (and I mean CRUSHED) my toes. I ordered a pair of 46 Pearl Izumi shoes not too long ago and they're far too big (but good for winter with thick socks). If the 45s were the right length but too narrow, would the 46 be too long? Or is it more important where the toes are (i.e. if I have a one inch space between my toes and the end of the shoe, but my toes and foot are snug in the shoe, is that OK)? As you can see, I've not had a pair that fit right yet, so I'm not sure what a "good fit" should be as far as length, width, etc

Carl, what size tennis shoe do you wear? I wear a 45 in Shimano but a 46 in Lake, so I think Lake's run just a bit smaller.

Coincidently, I have some new Lake CX 125 shoes in size 46 sitting in my closet. I ordered them, wore them once and then got a steal on some carbon Shimanos. I've been meaning to send them back for months but I keep forgetting. I'd be happy to make you a deal for them. Let me know if you're interested, I can send you pics.

Carl-

I find that all the Nike shoes I've tried run a bit small.

Beyond that I really have nothing else to add save this. Buying online is not a bad thing as if you live out of the state you order from there is no tax and that on an expensive pair of shoes will offset the cost of shipping.

Also http://www.trekbikes.com sells shoes on line as well. ( i HAVE TO THROW THAT IN CUZ i WORK FOR TREK). :D

Carl, what size tennis shoe do you wear? I wear an 11 and a Lake 45 is just too darn small. I was gonna order the CX 125s because Performance had a pair of 46s on sale for $25 and, since I'm a Team P member, I get two day shipping. What are you thinking of in the way of price?

PS If selling them to me doesn't work out, you could probably still send them back. Nashbar has a 12 month return policy if it's in real good condition. :)

I actually bought them from Performace for $30, so you're getting a good deal. I'll just see if I can still send them back.

Sounds good. What size tennis shoe do you wear and how wel did they fit? That way I can get a sense of how they might fit before I order them. Of course, I know width might different, but still...

I usually wear 11.5 Nikes, which SinGate has already mentioned usually run a bit smaller. I felt like the 46 Lakes fit pretty well. That's the only size of that brand that I've tried so I don't know if a 45.5 would have been better, but I certainly wouldn't need anything bigger than a 46. Overall, they fit fine.

Cool. Thanks. I think I'll get the 46s and hope they work :)

Carl, unless you like tight shoes I suggest you consider at least
46.5 if available or 47 if the 45 was that snug. Shoes sizes are like women's clothing sizes, the standards are very loose. My first road shoe was a 43, seemed ok for a yr but once I got above 40miles it was obviously too small. Bought pair of 45 (same exact shoe otherwise) and it was about right. Bought third shoe pair, all three Shimano, but 3d pair was different stock #, at 46.5 it is a bit smaller than the 45 pair! In my experience a Dr Scholl or other shoe liner is a desirable addition as the oem liners are just cardboard. A 'loose' shoe is easily tightened up, perhaps too much with such an aftermarket liner. Oh: my standard street shoe size is 10EE for the past 30yrs: so much for euro equivalents. Steve

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, I'm on a "shoesting" budget since I just back into the sport and my wife has raised an eyebrow at all the money. I'm hoping the 46s will be OK. The 45s weren't TOO bad barefoot, so I imagine the 46s should give enough extra room for my lighter socks. I am a bit worried about long distance, but I'll have a weekend to check that out before I go on an MS 150. It's kind of tricky, but I figure at $25, I might as well give them a shot. I just wish I knew if one euro size up was the same as a US size up :P

PS I'm ordering the same manufacturer (Lake) for both pairs, so I'm totally blind on the 46s...

Are you ordering the same shoe? My MTB shoe is a Specialized Rockhopper, size 46. When I got my road shoes --- Specailized Comp's -- the 46 was too small. 47 fit perfectly.

Ooops. I meant to say "I'm NOT totally blind" :P

The shoes are basically the same. They're slightly different models, but they're both intro-level. The 46's are touring shoes, so I think they'll be a touch wider.