BraveLilToaster

The past couple of years, I've expanded into riding longer and longer distances on my heavy commuter bike. This includes a couple of annual Gran Fondos. And while I've managed to survive these rides, I've noticed some serious issues.

1. Last year I decided to start saving up for a nice, light road bike. In preparation for that, I decided to replace my padded comfort saddle (similar to: https://i01.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/6...eat-font-b.jpg) with a more roadie-like racing saddle, while also getting a pair of proper bike shorts with a chamois. However, on my longest rides this caused me no end of discomfort from the saddle. I wasn't getting chafed per se, but it seems my bony butt will never get used to this. Does this mean I need a better saddle (I went through a couple already trying to find one that worked, and was properly fitted for the type I need), or does it mean I need a better chamois? After I switched back to the old comfort saddle (and track pants - it's still cool outside in the mornings) this spring, I've had no issues at all. So far this year, I've been doing 50-60 km in a day, for around 150+ km a week.

2. I have flat, metal mountain-bike type pedals on my commuter bike (like this: in fact, I think they're actually Shimano Deore XT's), and somewhat stiff hiking shoes. Riding distances over 100 km (or even for that matter, much longer than my 30 km commute) invariably causes numbness and/or pins and needles in my toes. I can imagine this is far from optimal. I hear that this is a problem with shoes that aren't stiff enough, and that cycling shoes will remedy the problem. However, after trying every shoe at three different shops, I can't find a pair that fit my wacky toes, which have toenails that curl upwards at the end. Every pair I've tried so far causes pressure on the toenails, and I know from experience that any amount of time wearing shoes like that will cause ingrown toenails in very short order. It's something that's immediately obvious as soon as I put on the shoes, and I can't imagine what it would be like after four hours. I'd have to admit that it's tough enough to find regular shoes that fit, nevermind specialized cycling shoes. Is there some other way I can fix this problem? Different pedals maybe?

Any help with these issues will be much appreciated!

lkngro

Keep your toenails trimmed?

Just keep a comfy saddle for your road bike. It won't look as cool, but people don't care about what looks cool on a road bike, right? RIGHT?

EDIT: It's also not unheard of to get mountain bike shoes for road riding. They can be a bit more comfortable. You'd need to make sure you get the right kind of pedals, but that's the same case with road shoes/pedals as well.

Domane

For a pedal you can try the A530 that has the flat pedal surface for when you just want to ride without cycling shoes with cleats or when you want to clip in you can. They use the SPD style cleats and are a great way to find out if you like being clipped in all the time or not.

Domane

If you have a road bike saddle on a commuter style bike that is likely your problem with the saddle, it was just not designed for the riding position you are using it in. I have a Bontrager Paradigm XXX with carbon rails and it is a very nice saddle. You will have to get used to a road bike saddle as your sit bones will be sore the first couple of weeks until the become used to the riding position.

https://s7d4.scene7.com/is/image/Trek...0,0&iccEmbed=0

BraveLilToaster

Ah, you're trying to be funny, aren't you.

Sorry, no, they are. And fitting shoes is still a problem (and has been for some 20 years). I am not a moron.



I've been going to shops that carry mountain bike shoes too - they still don't have as much room in the toes as I need.

The sort of thing that would be actually helpful would be recommending a brand that has extra room at the top of the toe. I can hunt down a retailer that way.

lkngro

Well I'm sure you have found regular shoes that have worked for you in the past. Shop around for bike shoes on the same way. Look at road and mountain bike models. I'm sure they make wide and narrow sizes as well.

BraveLilToaster

I'll take that into account and give the road bike a chance when I make that purchase later this year. Perhaps you're right about the bike not fitting the saddle style, since I was never actually able to get used to the road saddle last year. If all else fails, I'll just go back to the comfort saddle.

dr_lha

If you want to go clipless, I'd suggest trying out some of the more "hiking" style mountain SPD shoes. I used Shimano MT-43's, which have a pretty large toe box in comparison to road shoes. They work on a road bike, I road a century on them no problem.

I don't think they make them any more sadly and the replacement, the MT-44 looks a bit funky:

Shimano SH-MT44 Black - Zappos.com Free Shipping BOTH Ways

FYI I recommend Zappos for cycling shoes if you can't find stuff locally, because although they are not cheap, you can buy a bunch of shoes from them, and then return the ones you don't like, no questions asked with free shipping.