Triathlon - Tri Cycling Bikes/Shoes

Any recommendations on cycling shoes? The guy at the shop was trying to sell me on the specialized trivent. How much do tri shoes break in, cause I went up a size to 13's and they still felt a little narrow.

Also, want to get my first (and hopefully last) tri bike so I want to get fitted and buy it thru a shop instead of online. I want something more than just entry level. It seems like this will put me in the $2.5 range cause higher cost bikes don't really have improved performance or durability. Does this seem like a fair assessment?

Thanks in advance for any insights

Any recommendations on cycling shoes? The guy at the shop was trying to sell me on the specialized trivent. How much do tri shoes break in, cause I went up a size to 13's and they still felt a little narrow.

Also, want to get my first (and hopefully last) tri bike so I want to get fitted and buy it thru a shop instead of online. I want something more than just entry level. It seems like this will put me in the $2.5 range cause higher cost bikes don't really have improved performance or durability. Does this seem like a fair assessment?

Thanks in advance for any insights

They don't break in much, the soles are plastic (or carbon). If the Specialized are too narrow I'd suggest trying a different brand. Shimano, Louis Garneau, Pearl Izumi, and Sidi are all common tri shoes. I use Shimanos they work well.

You can get a very very good bike for $2500 or less, such as a carbon Cervelo P2 (if youre lucky), Scott Plasma, Felt B16, and more.... Are higher range bikes faster? Yes, will you see it? Unless youre at the very pointy end of the grid probably not. Durability is the same, take care of any of those bikes and they will last. However instead of a $2500 level ride you can get a $1500 ride like a Cervelo P1, you lose the carbon fiber frame, but gain $1000 to spend on a set of carbon deep dish wheels. IMO a faster setup as is. However if you plan on maybe having some money to upgrade later, of course you can get the better bike and then throw down another $1000 next year.

I wouldn't really call any tri-bike "entry level" they just have different models for different price points, the tri position is adjustable to similar on any of them, and its quite different than a road bike and takes some getting used to. That said, the first time you get off that bike into transition and start running hardly feeling like you just road 10, 20, 30 or whatever miles you will think to yourself, wow that kicks ass.

Haha sweet.

Do any barnds of shoes tend to run wider? The shop guy said the specialized were the most "american" fitting which I took to mean wider.

Is the tri bike geometry difference really that noticeable when you start running?

Haha sweet.

Do any barnds of shoes tend to run wider? The shop guy said the specialized were the most "american" fitting which I took to mean wider.

Honestly I don't know.... thats really a question for the store.

Is the tri bike geometry difference really that noticeable when you start running?

Surprisingly yes. With the right setup your legs wont be tired, and your running muscles will be ready... Thats assuming you stayed aero and didnt go nuts, if you spent the whole time climbing or hammering it out of position, the benefit is lost....

I have pretty wide feet and shimano's fit me pretty well. Try a few different ones though.

I really like my Carnacs. I've got the "triathlon" model - TRS4 I think (~10 years old). Just keep trying on different shoes til you find some that are comfy.

specialized comp is a great deal!!!!!!! $2500 or lees.2009's are on sale every where here in the sandiego area..as for your shoes,what ever fits properly.try everything one to get the right fit.