(I'm redirecting this to the tri forum) heard that was the best place for it.
Yes, I know I'm nuts for getting new shoes 2 weeks before a half IM, but for whatever reason my transition time has become a priority for me. Now that that's out of the way, why do these things hurt? I had some '04 or '05 lower end Specialized Road Sport shoes. Never had an ounce of trouble with them.
Saw some Sidi T-1 triathlon shoes on sale and went for them thinking, wow, this will be some upgrade. Just put 2.5 hours on the Sidis and the balls of my feet are still tender. It felt like I wasn't wearing shoes (in a bad way), but rather my bare feet were right on top of the speedplays, and boy could I feel the pressure! Any ideas what could be causing this? With the old shoes, I never even noticed I had shoes on (in a good way). With these new ones I feel every pedal stroke!
I have those Sidis and have never had a problem, though the only thing I can think of is that I use Shimano SPD-SL pedals. Could be the pedal/shoe interface. I don't know for sure though. You could always try returning them.
cjbruin
My guess is that the Sidi's are simply not right for your foot. I've never been able to find a pair of them that feel comfortable but several people I know swear by them. I'm pretty flat-footed and Shimano seems to be the most comfortable for me.
itri-45
Sidi shoes don't work for me either, they're too narrow. Have you tried the Specialized Trivent? I really like them.
Plainsman
My guess is that the Sidi's are simply not right for your foot. I've never been able to find a pair of them that feel comfortable but several people I know swear by them. I'm pretty flat-footed and Shimano seems to be the most comfortable for me.
Yikes, not the news I was hoping for. I am definietly flat footed. I like the narrowness, and these are definietly narrower than the Shimanos, but something still feels off. Returning is not an option for me, as I rode in them for about 2.5 hours. Can't return once cleats are installed anyway I think. Hmmm, what to do. They feel super comfortable just trying them on, which of course means nothing on the bike. I guess I'm going to try some gymnastics with the insoles.
cslone
I'd look at the Shimano's or another set of Specializeds if that works.
nscrbug
(I'm redirecting this to the tri forum) heard that was the best place for it.
Yes, I know I'm nuts for getting new shoes 2 weeks before a half IM, but for whatever reason my transition time has become a priority for me. Now that that's out of the way, why do these things hurt? I had some '04 or '05 lower end Specialized Road Sport shoes. Never had an ounce of trouble with them.
Saw some Sidi T-1 triathlon shoes on sale and went for them thinking, wow, this will be some upgrade. Just put 2.5 hours on the Sidis and the balls of my feet are still tender. It felt like I wasn't wearing shoes (in a bad way), but rather my bare feet were right on top of the speedplays, and boy could I feel the pressure! Any ideas what could be causing this? With the old shoes, I never even noticed I had shoes on (in a good way). With these new ones I feel every pedal stroke!
In regards to that older pair of Specialized road shoe you have pictured in your post...how would you rate the "walkability" of that shoe? It looks like they have little rubber grippy things at the front and rear of the shoe...do these rubber grippys help aid in walking in them? Reason I ask, is because a LBS in my area has a bunch of these on closeout and I was thinking about buying a pair...but I need to be able to walk/run in them through T1 of my first tri in June. I haven't actually tried them on yet..just saw them online. But if you tell me that they are somewhat "walkable", I'll make the trip over to the store to check 'em out in person. Thanks!
Linda
Plainsman
Linda,
With regard to the specialized shoe, I've worn them 3 years through various cycling events, metric centuries, spint tris, as well as olympic, and even 1/2 IM training. I think I've spent up to 6 hours in the saddle wearing them, and never had even the slightest hint of any foot pain. That's the good news.
The heel and toe pads do help you have a little grip when walking, but in my opinion no cycling shoe is great for running, due to the inherent nature of the inflexible sole. I have speedplay pedals, which have a large cleat, thus making walking/running all the more challenging. If your goal is to do triathlons, I would suggest a tri shoe. However, if you think you may just do an occassional tri, I say it's a great shoe, and you can do a decent "speed" walk in them, go for it! If your transition area is grassy, the walk/run is made much easier. Hope this helps.
nscrbug
Thanks Plainsman...I think I may go check them out. Since this will be my first tri (sprint), I'd rather not splurge on tri shoes just yet. If I decide to stick with it, then perhaps I'll look into tri shoes for next season. But even still...the tri shoes that I have tried on, have all been extremely difficult to walk in. Hence, the reason I was looking for something with a bit more grip on the bottom. I suppose I could always just use my old Specialized MTB shoes. I use regular SPD pedals, so the cleats won't be as big of a problem as your Speedplay cleats (my hubby uses those, so I know what you mean). I doubt that I would literally "run" in them...LOL...but rather do more of a "speed walk", as you mentioned. I honestly don't know if the transition area is grassy or not. I plan on checking that out very soon, since I don't live too far from where the event is taking place. Thanks again for your feedback!
Linda
Treefox
Cleat position??
That definitely affects the feel of pedalling pressure.
Plainsman
I'm tweaking the cleat position, but it's pretty close if not dead on yet. I put the insoles from my old shoes in last night and could tell a difference. That Sidi insole is like a thin little piece of plastic! The specialized insole is a little too wide, but I don't won't to cut it down since I will still train and rec ride in those shoes.
Now the challenge seems to be finding an affordable insole. I just called the LBS and the Specialezed insoles are almost $50! Youch. At that rate I could have bought some tri-vents or the like. Might have to be creative here. Anyone use just regular old off the shelf insoles with your cycling shoes? I've even though about putting a thin Dr. Schols or the like under the exising insole...
Plainsman
Thanks Plainsman...I think I may go check them out. Since this will be my first tri (sprint), I'd rather not splurge on tri shoes just yet. If I decide to stick with it, then perhaps I'll look into tri shoes for next season. But even still...the tri shoes that I have tried on, have all been extremely difficult to walk in. Hence, the reason I was looking for something with a bit more grip on the bottom. I suppose I could always just use my old Specialized MTB shoes. I use regular SPD pedals, so the cleats won't be as big of a problem as your Speedplay cleats (my hubby uses those, so I know what you mean). I doubt that I would literally "run" in them...LOL...but rather do more of a "speed walk", as you mentioned. I honestly don't know if the transition area is grassy or not. I plan on checking that out very soon, since I don't live too far from where the event is taking place. Thanks again for your feedback!
Linda
You're very welcome. Even on asphalt, you can do a pretty quick speedwalk in those. You'll lose a little time in T1 and T2, but even with the road shoes I could ususally keep within 20 seconds or so of those with tru tri shoes on the bike.
enginerd
My guess is that the Sidi's are simply not right for your foot. I've never been able to find a pair of them that feel comfortable but several people I know swear by them. I'm pretty flat-footed and Shimano seems to be the most comfortable for me.
ditto for me. I'm flat footed and tried Sidi Genius, mega carbon, T-1. As much as I loved how they fit on the upper, they didn't really work where it mattered (sole/foot). Shimanos (TR-50) has been great for tri and for weekend riding including double metric this past weekend.
nscrbug
I'm tweaking the cleat position, but it's pretty close if not dead on yet. I put the insoles from my old shoes in last night and could tell a difference. That Sidi insole is like a thin little piece of plastic! The specialized insole is a little too wide, but I don't won't to cut it down since I will still train and rec ride in those shoes.
Now the challenge seems to be finding an affordable insole. I just called the LBS and the Specialezed insoles are almost $50! Youch. At that rate I could have bought some tri-vents or the like. Might have to be creative here. Anyone use just regular old off the shelf insoles with your cycling shoes? I've even though about putting a thin Dr. Schols or the like under the exising insole...
Have you checked out the Superfeet insoles? They make a narrower version for cycling shoes. I use their regular version in my running shoes and I do like them. Little cheaper than the Specialized insoles...I got mine online for $36.
http://www.superfeet.com/
Linda
tasr
Plainsman read this post.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=392006
Plainsman
Thanks tasr, funny, I just realized that I, along with nscrbug, had both posted in that thread as well. Tri shoes on the mind... I just got some good news, sort of. Looks like I will be able to return the Sidis, even with use on them. I did another 50 min on the trainer last night, and as of right now, my right foot is still hurting. Not looking forward to running tonight :(. I even put additional insoles in last night, but cushioning does not seem to be the problem, but rather where they hit my foot. Too bad, great price on a sharp looking shoe that fits great, just feels wrong.
I keep hearing raves about the Specialized Trivents. I'll just do this 1/2 IM in my old trusty Specialized Sport Road shoes, and hopefully save some more money and go for the Trivents later. That's assuming the way that Specialized shoes fit has not changed in the past few years. Any Trivent owners want to offer their two cents on these shoes?