sdmc530

So they are discontinuing my model of road shoe. I have a weird wider food and the Lake CX160-X shoe is like my glass slipper, just perfect. Lake is no longer going to make them. The shoe was made for 2015 and its run its course for them I guess. My current pair is fine and I ordered another pair for the future.


My question is how long can I expect to get out of a pair of shoes? I take care of my shoes as well! I am 37 and say I am going to ride in clipless until I am 65(?) so that 28 years. Can I get 28 years out of 2 pairs, or should I order another pair? It took me 3 years to find the perfect shoe that was pain free so I want to make sure I have them for my cycling life.


thanks...

Machka 

The pair of Lake mtn bike shoes I'm currently using were purchased when I still lived in Canada ... I'm thinking maybe a couple years before I left. So ... let's say ... 2007-ish.

Sadly, they are nearing the end of their life now.

I'm impressed they've lasted that long!

I bought Adidas Road shoes in about 1999 and they were quite well-worn by 2003.

Flip Flop Rider

stock up while you can man!

Hypno Toad

LOL!

If you're feet are the difficult to fit, you have the correct idea - buy two or three pairs of the perfect shoes.

I don't have the same issues with my feet, most shoes work for me. I currently have 5 (?) active pairs of cycling shoes.

I've lost track of how old these shoes are:

IMG_20160411_191953572.jpg

I think I've had them for 10 years, maybe more. I've put them through a lot of rides, including daily all-weather commuting, gravel centuries, etc. I've gone back and forth with these shoes as primary shoes and just an old pair in the back of the closet. But they have lasted and I still use them from time to time.

sdmc530

No doubt.... I guess I need to order another pair yet!


Thanks....love the name btw!


Thanks.....I get the feeling 7-10 years of well cared for shoes is the limit.

BobbyG

I wouldn't worry about the longevity of your biking shoes.

With or without self-driving cars, vehicle-to-vehicle communications will become required on all vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians under the ruse of public safety. Preying on people's fears and fascinations, the media with political backing will over-publicize horrific vehicular and pedestrian collisions and carnage in order to sway public opinion in favor of vehicle-to-vehicle communications. This will at first be a separate transponder unit, but will quickly be integrated into personal tracking and surveillance units, a.k.a smartphones. This data will then be used measure and collect road-use taxes which will be renamed "infrastructure investment shares". As concerns over accuracy and health come to the fore, the strength of the radio signals will be reduced, necessitating larger, more optimally shaped antennas spurring the return to separate units which eventually develop into mandatory helmets for cyclists, pedestrians and passenger car occupants. Certain, popular lightweight materials for clothing and vehicle construction will also be outlawed due to radio-wave reflection and interference. Meanwhile, as a result of the "collision and carnage" campaign "human error" is percieved as the weak link in the system and the push for self-driving vehicles revives and this time succeeds. Adapting existing e-bike technology and electric shifting is a cake-walk, and thanks to the "Bicycle Stability Act" traditional two-wheeled bicycles are phased out in favor of tricycles and quadra-cycles. True, two-wheeled bicycles will be required to employ either a segway-like balance system, or a large, heavy-mass, spinning gyroscopic stabilization unit. The result will be an expensive, complex, heavy, heavily taxed, autonomous, self-driving personal recreational and mobility unit the average bicyclist will neither recognize, enjoy, nor be able to afford. And contemporary parts or standarizations will no longer be part of that equation.

This will all happen before your current pair of bicycling shoes wears out. So again, I wouldn't worry about their longevity.

rydabent

Good heavens I looked up Lake cycling shoes, and some of them cost over $500. For that you can get a fairly good bike. IMO that much money for a shoe is simply a rip off!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hermes1

Not sure which model the OP has and likes, but considering he has sizing and fit concerns, if his are a $500.00 model, $500.00 would be a bargain in his case.

sdmc530

thanks, appreciate the humor of this!





Lake Model CX160-X can get on E-*** and other online bike sales places from $60-80. Not a huge price I don't think for such an item.


I have the current pair I am using is great condition and a second set on the way. At the end of the month if the $$$ are there I will order a 3rd pair and be set for life.

Hypno Toad

LOLz! You are really making a helpful post... how does this ^^^ address the OP's question?

But if this is a rip off to you... don't buy them!

I have $325 winter cycling boots, it was worth every penny to keep the frostbite off my little piggies.

Homebrew01

My Garneau's are 6 years old and look new. Replaced the cleats once I think.
All depends how you treat them. I walk about 2 steps to get on my bike, then another 2 steps at the end of my ride.

Hiro11

I have a set of Shimano M086 shoes that are at least six years old and still look essentially brand new. I use them all the time for gravel, MTB and even spin classes. So yeah, cycling shoes last a long, long time.

Roman Vintfeld

If you have trouble finding well-fitting shoes you could consider buying custom ones, such as those made by Luck. Or just stock up on the ones that work.

Yendor72

This is all true. I was ready to spend $1500 or more if I could not a find a shoe that didn't cause me pain. For the record, that's more than my bike cost. I had no problem spending about $350 for my summer shoes and another $325 or so for my winter cycling boots. Hell, I'm wearing a $160 pair of shoes right now as it is! The cost of a wide foot I suppose.

Secret Squirrel

I would think that 2 pairs should take care of at least 10 years. You should also note that peoples feet change over the years. The metatarsal pad loses the padding as you get older and you can develop other foot issues. Shoe technology just keeps improving. Take care of your feet.

GerryinHouston

Took a look at custom cycling shoes!

$1000-$1400!!!

Yikes!

MRT2

I agree with this. Plan for the future, but don't over plan.
I would say planning for 2 to 5 years out is reasonable, even prudent. More than 10 years is pushing it. Why? 3 reasons.

1. Who knows what you will enjoy doing in 28 years, or even 15 years? 28 years ago, I was an avid martial artist. 25 years ago, I switched my focus to running, and later, weightlifting. Though I rode a bike as a kid, I wasn't much into cycling until about 20 years ago. Imagine if I stockpiled a half dozen pairs my favorite jogging shoes 28 years ago? Would they even be wearable, given the tendency of materials to deteriorate even when stored under ideal conditions? Or worse, what if I stockpiled karate uniforms when I quite practicing martial arts in the mid 80s, though if you asked me in 1981 or 1982, I would have told you I planned to do it forever.

2. Even if you could see into the future and know you will still be cycling in 28 years, you probably don't want to become a cycling gear hoarder. You could find yourself stockpiling clothing, helmets, tires, cassettes, chainrings, chains, derailleurs, just in case the manufacturers discontinue your favorite model?

3. Who knows where technology will go in 20 years? Maybe some new cleat/pedal technology will emerge that will require new cycling shoes. Maybe advancements in shoe manufacturing will allow you to order custom cycling shoes for a perfect fit in the future?

gsa103

I wouldn't get a third pair. You should already have enough to last ~10 years. Just remember what works perfectly today may fit your needs in 10 years.

Secret Squirrel

If you want more utility our of your 2 pairs, you might set one pair up for cold weather (Toe covers, insulated insole) and rotate the shoes. You can break in both pairs gradually.

cmdjbi

My experience is right about two seasons....

sdmc530

Thanks for all the insight all! I think I will stick with the two pairs and let it roll. Very sound.


as always good people here!!
thanks

linberl

Your feet are going to change as you age. What fits you now may not fit you well in 10-15 years. Our arches drop as we age and that totally changes shoe size and fit. Keep that in mind and don't overstock.

Lazyass

I've never "worn out" road shoes. It's not like you go hiking in them. I have some leather Diadora's I bought in the early 90's and they are still fine. I went about 8-10 years where I hardly wore them, but now they're my main shoe again.

sdmc530

I have black, I ordered white this time so I will probably wear both anyways, you know dress for the occasion.


I think I am golden.....

themp

The insoles wear out for me in my biking shoes(MTB) every other season. So, I just keep getting these:

Sof Sole Athlete Insole| DICK'S Sporting Goods