The metal part of my left Shimano SH-R132L buckle somehow tore halfway during my ride yesterday morning, and I didn't notice it until I got home. The buckle got stuck in the lock position, and I thought my foot would forever be locked inside. Anyways, I'm looking to purchase a new pair of shoes and preferably another brand. Hot spots developed in the toe region after 1+ hour with the Shimano's. And the cleats were worn to death. Coincidental deaths to both parts of the shoe?

Any suggestions? I'd like to spend <$75. Maybe up to $100. Until then... I guess I'll practice more running and swimming .

Buy a bunch on-line from places with liberal return policies. Try them all and return the ones you don't like. Shoes really are a personal thing. My feet like Shimano shoes but hate Sidi, Gaerne, Time, Bontrager, Bont and several others I can't remember off hand.

My feet prefer Specialized.

Hmm... I guess I'll just try the ones at the LBS's. The problem with trying out a whole bunch from online retailers is the return shipping.

A good pair of bike shoes will last a lot longer than a good pair of running shoes, or other shoes for that matter. I have been riding the same pair of SIDIs for what seems like forever.

Just walk into the LBS with the biggest selection and start trying on shoes. You'll quickly find what works and doesn't work. I wanted Sidis, but they didn't work.

Yeah, the Shimano's I had lasted 6 months. You get what you pay for! (In this case $29.99 @ Jenson). I'll look around for dealers that sell variety here (mostly Specialized and Shimano from the stores I've visited).

im happy w/ the diadoras I picked up pretty cheaply from nashbar.

My first cycling shoes were Diadoras. I now use Sidis that have lasted me forever but are starting to feel tight. I'd really like to try the Speedplay ready DMT radials. Guess I have to find the LBS that stocks them.

On my mtb I ride specialized shoes that are about 13 years old and falling apart. when I built my road bike and decided to try speedplays I bought an inexpensive shoe I could mount the cleats to. I didnt know if Id keep the speedplays or revert to my mtb time atacs. these shoes have exceeded my expectations. I paid about $40. win/win. my speedplay lite actions rock too.

Not necessarily. I have to ride with them for a while to really know. I had a pair of Bonts that felt great out of the box. After a few miles on the trainer, they were rubbing the skin over my achilles raw. Those went back.

On-line discounts are significant enough that you may still end up coming out ahead on cost, especially if you buy multiple pairs from the same place and return them together.

I have a pair of Lakes that I like a lot, but if and when I need new shoes I will probably be getting a pair of Specialized. for whatever reason I have not been disappointed with their gear. Love my Toupe and wish I had gotten their shoes. Their gloves are pretty nice too. One of these days I will have to try one of their bikes.

Maybe this is the benefit of buying online with a no questions asked return policy. At the local shops, as soon as you mount your pedals, the shoes are yours.

I don't mean to intervene this thread, but any brand recommendations for wide feet? The Sidis and specialized shoes I've tried on were terribly narrow for comfort.

I think my next shoes will have a Speedplay bolt pattern. Or these Lake shoes that are the cheapest Speedplay specific shoes that I can find.

https://www.lakecycling.com/default.a...6SPD_11&clr=BK

Sidi and Specialized offer wider shoes but they're harder to find in bike shops in my experience. Sidi standard fit is about a D while their wider Mega is in the EE-EEE range. Specialized has the wider toe box between the two.

If it's going onto your body, it better be Specialized, if your asking my opinion. They've never let me down.

Anyone have experience with Louis Garneau shoes?

Bontragers have a wider than normal toe box.

Not with their shoes, but they have great deals all around. I wouldn't expect them to suck one bit.

I have some Louis Garneau MTB shoes - so far no complaints. Buckle is still good to go since day one - over 3000kms ago.

That said, just bought some Specialized Experts with the BOA system - man those are sweet.

Picked up a pair of Specialized Trivent Experts along with new cleats. MUCH more comfortable thus far. We'll see how they are on the ride tomorrow morning... And they make for even less excuses to go out riding! (Sockless format)

And yes, I did go over the budget. Seems to happen a lot since I started cycling/tri-ing