US Size 16 4 hole shoes
 

Do these exist? I haven't had much luck in my search. Help me bikeforums!

4 hole, like factory compatible with speedplay? You can probably get Bont's drilled for whatever pattern you would like and they have lasts to size 51 or 52. But, you may be dealing with a custom build from them for that size and configuration. Shimano and Sidi also make shoes to 52. But, not with speedplay drillings.

if you need the 4 hole pattern for speedplays, they come with an adapter that converts the 3 hole shoe to a 4 hole. You can buy it from the speedplay site if you lost the original or never got one to start.

Lake offers a four hole shoe. Not sure about Size 16 though.

Man, I thought I had it bad trying to find 14's.... I feel for you.

Yes, factory speedplay. I took a look and it does seem I would have to go with a custom build, which is a bit out of my price range. Shimano and Sidi are all I've really found.. I just cracked the sole of my current Shimanos, but will probably go with Sidi if I can't find a native 4 hole shoe.


I've been using an adapter so far, but was hopeful I could take advantage of the mythical stack height reduction since I need new shoes anyway.


I don't believe they make 16s or that's what I would be getting.


I appreciate this, it's hard enough finding 16s in regular shoes, let alone a sport not really known for giants.

With regard to Bont's: They used to make 51 and 52 as stock sizes. So, they probably have stock lasts, but, just don't build them as part of the product line. You might not have to go through the cost of sock molding, etc. It "might" simply be a matter of them building to order your size on one of their pre-existing lasts. It's worth contacting them directly.

Lake has also made extremely large sizes from time to time and may have lasts on the shelf. Again, worth contacting them directly.

I have both Sidi's and Shimano. The Sidi's are certainly nicer and stiffer. But, considerably more expensive. For my current use them, abuse them and wear them out training shoes I couldn't justify spending the additional money and ended up with the Shimano.

If you contact Bont and Lake, please, come back and let us know what you learn. The options for 51/52 are few.

I feel your pain. I m squeezed into a Sidi 50 mega. Can't walk much in them which I don't. Could really use a 52 a little on the wider side. Please post back what you find.

Is your sole carbon fiber? I heard that Calfee is now repairing carbon shoes.

This. Not a lot of choices in 48 and 49 which is what I buy.

Unless the OP has found something I'm unaware of, the only Shimano shoes available in 51 and 52 are the mid-range 80 Series road and mtb models, which have plastic soles.

I have a pair of R86's and can confirm that they aren't particularly stiff compared to my ancient pair of Sidi Genius. Even though the Sidi's are also a plastic sole.

It sounds like the current Genius 5's have "some" carbon content in their otherwise injection molded sole, so might be stiffer still.

I don't see why you couldn't try drilling your own holes for the direct mounting. I know that speed plays are sensitive to warp issues and you might have to pay a little special attention. But, it should be doable.

From speedplay's site:

[h=3]2013 Manufacturers of Shoes that feature the Speedplay-Approved 4-Hole Cleat Mounting Standard:[/h][TABLE]
[TR]
[TD]DMT [/TD]
[TD]Gaerne[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Lake[/TD]
[TD]Northwave* [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Rocket 7 [/TD]
[TD]Sidi[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


Of these, Sidi appears to only do the Speed Play approved soles in the Genius 6.6 and the Wire. Neither of which come in a 51/52. Neither Lake nor Northwave advertise anything beyond 50.

One thing to keep in mind, is that while reducing pedal stack height may allow you to lower your saddle and subsequently increase the effective stack height of your frame, with feet the size of ours, your cornering clearance is probably already limited by the outside edge of your shoe sole, not the pedal. Lowering your pedal stack height further reduces your shoe clearance in corners. I know from experience just how much it sucks to ground out with, and break, your little toe in the middle of a corner while on the down stroke. If you're frame can accommodate your fit requirements as is, it may be wiser to stick with a higher pedal stack. Especially if you're using 180mm cranks on an otherwise standard 70mm drop bottom bracket. (sort of assuming the considerable height and inseam come hand in hand with a size 16)

bigfred is right, plastic soles. I generally would subscribe to your notion of buying cheap beater shoes, but the Shimanos I cracked only had ~1000 miles on them. Also good food for thought on the cornering, you're right ~6'6" on 177.5 cranks.

I'll let everyone know if I come up with any good news.

Cheeze,

As a consequence of rainy weather I'm been switching back and forth between my shoes this week. And, because I'm in the process of setting up a new bike with 200mm cranks I've been paying extra close attention to my shoe set up, ankling, spin, etc. This has highlighted that there is a stack height and heel height difference between my Sidi's Genius' and my Shimano R86's. Keep in mind the Genius' are a couple versions old and Sidi has no doubt changed their sole patterns. And, Shimano is now up to R88's in their 80 series.

But, the Sidi's have a thinner sole with lower stack height and less high heal built into them. We're not talking about lots of difference. It's only a few millimeters, but, I thought you might be interested and that it might influence your purchasing decission. Although, I can't comment on the current Sidi soles.

I tried to get some photos, but, couldn't come up with a decent photo that did the situation justice without simply relying on lense angle.