Road Cycling - Advice: riding shoes

I know they are not top of the line, then again, neither is my riding. I just bought a pair of Specialized Sport MTB riding shoes. (I haven't read any reviews on them, so only know that they feel good compared to Nike, Shimano, and others in this price range. This is all entry level for me, since it is my first pair. But tell me, how should they fit? With a thin pair of socks, they fit just right, not real snug, and not loose enough for heavy socks.

Urbanmonk

How should they fit? Comfortably.....

Most will recommend slightly loose so your feet have room to 'swell up' with a thin cycling sock.

I tried everything on the market....Sidi, Diadora, Nike, Specialized, Shimano...you name it, I tried it....what mattered to me was the fit....When I tried on the pair I bought I knew they were the shoes for me....

The name on the side doesnt matter....the fit on your foot does....

The name on the side doesnt matter....the fit on your foot does....

One caveat, if two fit your foot the same, and feel as comfortable, and one is Sidi, get the Sidi. On most of them, you can replace the heel and other parts. With others, when the heel wears out, the shoe is done.

I'm in the same dilemma, want to upgrade from my cheapo Nashbar casual shoes I got on special few years ago: $ 24.00 ? ...can't remember.
I don't want anything flamboyant, that's one of the things that I dislike about bike shoes: too flashy and tacky for MY taste most models.
I want a bike shoe that looks like a casual leather black shoe, something I can blend with my pants at work, nearly impossible with all those flashy colors; I've been looking at the Specialized Mondo, on the MTB category, looks decent and walkable.
Corsaire

I'm in the same dilemma, want to upgrade from my cheapo Nashbar casual shoes I got on special few years ago: $ 24.00 ? ...can't remember.
I don't want anything flamboyant, that's one of the things that I dislike about bike shoes: too flashy and tacky for MY taste most models.
I want a bike shoe that looks like a casual leather black shoe, something I can blend with my pants at work, nearly impossible with all those flashy colors; I've been looking at the Specialized Mondo, on the MTB category, looks decent and walkable.
Corsaire

Look at the Nike Alteus. Its all black and darned comfortable.

Did I understand you want to wear bike shoes to work? Obviously, no cleats, huh?

Tekrider, good point about the Sidis.....

Corsaire, I have a pair of Specialized Sonomas that I bought so I could go out public without looking like a biker....and NO, they arent the shoes I was referencing to earlier...

I like walkables, so I can put my frog cleats on - this way I don't have to carry extra shoes to change at work.

Miami: How good are those Sonomas? I'll check the Alteus...
Corsaire

I like walkables, so I can put my frog cleats on - this way I don't have to carry extra shoes to change at work.
Corsaire

I keep another pair of shoes at work. It beats carrying them back an forth.

I've got two sets of shoes.

Garnes (like Sidi) that I ride on my road bike. I switched to the mountain version last year because I got tired of the duck walk... I use eggbeaters for pedals.

For my comute I wear cannondale mtb shoes because I can simply wear them all day.

Oh, I also keep a pair of street shoes at work but only in the event I get rained on when going to work so I can change to some dry shoes when at work... Otherwize they just sit in my filing cabinet next to the "emergency tie"

Carnac do walkable versions of some of their road shoes.
Basically the road shoe with a small heel. They suit a wider foot and are a great compromise between road shoe
and casual trainer. I have a pair of Luberons and would
recommend them to anyone with a wider foot.
Are Carnac widely available in the States?

Sidi...not only is the heel counter replaceable, but the buckle is as well. They make a range of shoes...

Click on the Sidi logo to see their road shoes (www.veltecsports.com)

Like others, I've tried most of the brands. Sidi is the best. Best materials in their uppers, durable, comfortable..

BTW..the new Lazer is very nice.

Corsaire, the Sonomas are nice for a walking shoe. The walking motion is relatively normal and thers very little cleat contact with the floor. They have no heel per say. Something that did may have a completely natural walk. Mine are are black with laces so the look like an everyday walking shoe.

Like others, I've tried most of the brands. Sidi is the best. Best materials in their uppers, durable, comfortable..

Well, thats all relative isnt it. I personaly think Sidis suck but thats my opinion. Its also why I havent mentioned the type of shoes I purchased. Because it doesnt matter. What matters is getting a good quality shoe that fits....