Originally Posted by puddin' legs
Treespeed, your shoes might work great for you but don't be so quick to pass judgment on the more expensive gear. You might have got a great deal so count yourself lucky. Sometimes you have to get what fits. Sometimes its a good deal, sometimes it isn't. As mileage and workload go up, good shoes are worth as much as a good wheelset. Shoes, wheels, saddle...any place you come in contact with the bike and the bike contacts the ground is important.
Of course fit is the most important factor and I thought I emphasized that. But my most comfortable shoes have been a pair of $90 Answers that I got on sale for $50. There is nothing wrong with a nice pair of sidis or any other more expensive brand. My point is that you don't have to go that route to get decent performance. I think a lot of new riders get worked up over what their fellow riders will think of their gear choices instead of worrying about what they can afford and what fits well.