Nashbar is having a big shoe/pedal sale right now, and i just so happen to need (want) shoes and pedals. actually, my toe clips, straps, and tennis shoes are really making it hard for me to ride longer distances. my feet just start hurting like no other and it's really making riding un-enjoyable. From what I've read here, a lot of the problems could be caused by my tennis shoes not being stiff enough. Also, i've found that my toe clips aren't deep enough and I can't get my feet on the pedals properly.

Anyway, I've decided to spend some of my money on my bike (that's hard to believe in the road forum, right) and have a question about exactly how road shoes are supposed to fit? I wear anything from a 10 1/2 to a 12 depending on the shoe, but my tennis shoes are 11. Should bike shoes fit more like tennis shoes or more like dress shoes which I get a half size smaller because they are usually stiffer and I wear thinner socks. I'm leaning more towards the tennis shoe fit.

Size 11 translates to 44 1/2 according to the size tag on the tongue of tennis shoes. Nashbar has sizes 44 and 45. Would the size 45 be right or should I step down to the 44?

Your cycling shoes should be the snuggest fitting shoes you have, any movement is lost power and abraided skin waiting to happen....

Cycling shoes MUST be tried on. A size 45 Carnac is not the same as a size 45 Sidi.

No way around it.

This is a situation where I would say let your local bike store earn some money. Go in, take your bike and wear something you can ride in, and let them fit you for shoes and pedals. No guess work about fit, you will have cleats adjusted to fit your style and if you have fit issues or pain, you can go back and get advice, adjustments, whatever. A great buy on shoes is no great buy if they hurt your feet or tear up your knees because of incorrect fit.

LBS is the way to go for your first pair of shoes. Even down the line online is a hard buy. I though tI had my size nailed on some Diadora's (from performance.com) but did not realize how narrow they ran. I had to send them back after a week of playing with cleat position going to the LBS ect. I now have Sidi mega's on order with them to try on. If I like I will buy. may cost $20-25 more but is worth it.

i just saw an actual size chart, and i now realize what a moron i am. Nashbar only sells this in whole sizes. A 43 is a 9, which no matter kind of funny shoe horn the LBS has, is too small wrap around my foot. A 45 is an 11 1/2, which is actually too large for me. (i remebered the size 12 boots I have are really just too big, but I don't wear them often enough to notice), so really the only logical choice is the 44 which translates to 10 1/2, a size that I can and do wear.

I went to my LBS for shoes and pedals a few weeks ago, but I can't afford pedals AND road shoes there. They are a really great shop, and I try to support them as much as possible, but I'd like to get shoes and pedals ASAP, and they've just priced themselves a bit too high. Their problem is that most of the roadies they get really do come in and drop hundreds or thousands of dollars at a time, so the few pedals and shoes they do stock are really nice, and I don't really think they could sell them at my price range.

FYI, https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...=385&pagename=
those are what i'm getting. There's no way I could get eggbeaters, 2 sets of cleats, and shoes for $130 at the LBS.

Thanks for the info, though, and the heads up about adjusting. I know they'll need some of that, and i'm not scared of a wrench.