scplus5

This makes complete sense and I feel the same way.

Psimet2001 

The great lesson in cycling is this: there are 3 contact points between rider and bike and no 2 people will ever be the same interfacing with those 3 contact points.

Recommendations aren't really helpful as they may hold absolutely no value for you.

What is amazing for one will be complete garbage for someone else.

Are shoes worth what they cost? Relative. If someone can't find shoes that allow them to ride without pain and riding is their key to good health both mentally and physically ...and they have the discretionary funds that allow them to absorb the cost without leaving them destitute then.....they're worth every penny.

If they are the "coolest" and Fastest (red is the fastest) shoes known to man but they don't work with your foot then they are worthless.

We all know this stuff to be true but we don't really spend the time thinking about it.

Finding the right shoe is similar to finding the right pair of bibs, gloves, saddle, bars, bike, team/club.... you don't really know what you're missing until you find the right one. When you find the right one it's like experiencing a tiny bit of Nirvana.

I spent decades in this sport only riding what I thought was priced well. I made it happen and it was OK. When I finally had the time and some money I searched and found a store that sold SIDIs . I had them size me and I had them make recommendations. When I put on my first pair it was like dipping my foot in warm butter. It makes me cry to think of all of those years I spent in horrible shoes.

I have since moved on from SIDI. I now find their soles to be too flexible, the fit too inconsistent from shoe to shoe in the same model, etc. I have found great luck with Specialized and Lake and others.

So the right fitting shoe is worth everything. If the less expensive shoes don't fit well then they are worth nothing. If they fit great and make you happy then sure - why spend more. I have personally found that for my tastes I end up having to spend a little more than what most people would find reasonable. Thankfully I'm in the industry and can usually buy at wholesale.

John9

Get what feels most comfortable on your feet. There is a lot of good reason to justify spending $200 on nice shoes. I would assume you're referring to the Expert Roads in this case. I tested those, but ultimately went with the Comps which are 1 step down, and $50 less, because they fit my foot so much better. Sorta wish i would have bought the Experts just for the weight difference and carbon sole (I believe the sole is carbon), but they fit me pretty dang tight and uncomfortably (which could be way different for you). Try on a few styles, and see how they feel. I will say that the Boa Clip is a nice add-on, and worth the money.

GeorgePatton

I actually just use my running shoes and I have had no problem biking when them 20 miles or so daily. I really dont like the thought of being clipped into my bike.

f4rrest

Same here if I'm riding with my kids on the bike path.

kbarch

Yeah, I know I often think of new bike stuff as trophies as much as tools.
Also, you're more willing to commit. I think the majority of cyclists prefer to play around.

Carbonfiberboy 

Yeah, I shouldn't be such a hard-ass.

scplus5

Just to follow up, I bought a pair of specialized comps from the shop. I've ridden with them a couple times, I like them, but nothing earth shattering to report.

clichty

I had the revelation this morning on my ride that I have gone through multiple bikes, wheels, pedals, etc but the one thing I have owned for the entirety of my biking career (10 years) is my pair of Lance Armstrong model Nike shoes. I bought them USED in 2007 and I am still using them today. I debated upgrading to a new pair of shoes but why spend $300 if my old ones still work? Gonna rock them for as long as I can and definitely will spend some $$$ to get another pair that lasts just as long when these die.

OUGrad05

I was in a similar boat, debating the same thing myself. I tried several pairs of shoes and ultimately decided on some specialized carbon soles, they were on sale for $200, regular price was $250, don't know which model.

Having ridden in them twice I have NO regrets. They fit well, the carbon soles are amazingly stiff and I was surprised at how much better they felt in the saddle and putting power down. From what I've read they'll last 10,000 plus miles. So it's not something you'll be purchasing quarterly and probably not even yearly.

Buy what's comfortable and something that will last.

CliffordK

I would think it would be very uncool to try shoes on at a shop, then go buy those same shoes online, unless the shop is sold out or something.

There are some great deals that pop up on E-Bay on barely used shoes. Also Craigslist. But, getting the perfect fit on shoes sent via mail is tough. Some shoes run long. Others run short. Some are wide. Some are narrow.

I find Euro sizes are most representative of the shoe sizes, but even that isn't perfect.

scplus5

Fwiw, that was never my intention.