I am in the process of buying my first road bike, and it will come with clipless pedals(shimano PD-M505s). I have never ridden with clipless pedals, although I understand the general concept of how they work and why they are more effecient.

Obviously, I am going to need some shoes. I am leaning towards mountain bike shoes simply because they will be easier to walk around in when I am off the bike. I know they are less stiff than road pedals, but as a newby who won't be doing any races, I think the mountain bike pedals will be fine.

So....what does one look for in a shoe? Any recommended brands, or ones to stay away from? What are the differences between the major bands, besides colors? Do some shoes run narrower in width than others, etc.?

Thanks again,
IBCGUY

I am in the process of buying my first road bike, and it will come with clipless pedals(shimano PD-M505s). I have never ridden with clipless pedals, although I understand the general concept of how they work and why they are more effecient.

Obviously, I am going to need some shoes. I am leaning towards mountain bike shoes simply because they will be easier to walk around in when I am off the bike. I know they are less stiff than road pedals, but as a newby who won't be doing any races, I think the mountain bike pedals will be fine.

So....what does one look for in a shoe? Any recommended brands, or ones to stay away from? What are the differences between the major bands, besides colors? Do some shoes run narrower in width than others, etc.?

Thanks again,
IBCGUY

SPD, I guessing you going with the Giant?

Like a bike, the most important thing about shoes is fit. You want a pair of shoes that are very snug with just nuff room to wiggle your toes. Basically, you don't want to be sliding around in your shoes when your pedaling, because that reduce the power transfer and negates some the befits of having clippless pedals.

The second most important factor (at least in getting a pair of mtn shoe for use on a road use) is a stiff sole. Due to size of SPDs, you can get hot spots witha a flexible sole, which can be very uncomfortable.

As for brands, I currently am using a pair of Pearl Izumi with Egg Beaters. PI’s I-Beam based shoes are pretty stuff. I’ve also heard good things about Specialized carbon soled shoes.

So....what does one look for in a shoe? Any recommended brands, or ones to stay away from? What are the differences between the major bands, besides colors? Do some shoes run narrower in width than others, etc.?

Thanks again,
IBCGUY

One other factor is that moutain bike shoes, at least those built like running shoes, tend to be hotter than road shoes. Because they are designed to be walked in, they offer more support and a lining. Road shoes normally don't. Personally, I don't normally walk when on road rides and am sensitive to the discomfort from hot shoes, so I use road shoes on the road bike and mountain shoes on the mountain bike.

I recently got some Cannondale C900s from Sierra Trading Post (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp/dept_id.L2~326/qx/prod_list_display.htm) and am very happy. They seem to not have many sizes left though. The Sidi Rockets they have would also be a good buy and probably cooler than a running-type shoe.

On one of your other questions, most Italian shoes runner narrower than American brands. Carnacs are known for having a wider toe box, and Sidi Geniuses come in a "mega" model which is wider. Other than my current Carnacs and Cannondales, I've used Sidis (road), Diadoras (road), and Answers (mountain) and liked them all. The only ones I couldn't stand were some entry-level Shimanos. I found them very, very hot and uncomfortable.

I'm using SPDs and mountain bike shoes on my roadbike. But now I'm in the process of choosing some road pedals and road shoes. I found the SPD/Mtn Shoe combo to be okay in the beginning but like it was mentioned above 1) your feet get hot because they don't have as much ventilation as road shoes 2) the combination of a small platform SPD and less stiff sole tends to generate hotspots. I can usually feel them start up on any ride longer than 50 miles and if you do a century in them you will definately be able to feel it.

If you really want to go with the mountain shoes I suggest you consider one with a stiff as sole as possible and some ventilation.

I started by accident, because I wear size 50 shoes and the only non-Sidi (which is to say "under $200") shoes I could find were some cheap Diadora mountain bikers. They worked so well, though, that when Nashbar cleared them out a few years ago, I bought three pairs at $40 each. I'm on the second pair now, and they're fine. I ride 200-250 a week during the season, try for at least 50 a week in winter, and I do get off and walk around pretty often. so I appreciate not having to do the duck strut into Starbucks..

I use a touring shoe. They have recessed cleats for walking and the stiff sole. I might try this one next: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=16767&subcategory_ID=2010#

Good luck
Shayne

I use a touring shoe. They have recessed cleats for walking and the stiff sole. I might try this one next: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=16767&subcategory_ID=2010#

Good luck
Shayne

Those are the Shimanos I had and hated them. Just threw them away. Very uncomfortable.

Those are the Shimanos I had and hated them. Just threw them away. Very uncomfortable.

Good to know.

I've got SPD pedals and use mtb shoes as well. I have Specialized, their BG (body Geometry) shoes are very comfortable and I don't have problems with hot spots. The Specialized also tend to run a bit wider than most. Could be a marketing ploy, but the BG design has some things to it that increase comfort, reduce hot spots, and help in proper hip/knee/foot alignment. I do think they could use some more ventilation, but I'd rather be able to walk around in them and I am a mtber as well so I only need 1 pair of shoes this way... I paid like $80 at my lbs for them...

I've got SPD pedals and use mtb shoes as well. I have Specialized, their BG (body Geometry) shoes are very comfortable and I don't have problems with hot spots. The Specialized also tend to run a bit wider than most. Could be a marketing ploy, but the BG design has some things to it that increase comfort, reduce hot spots, and help in proper hip/knee/foot alignment. I do think they could use some more ventilation, but I'd rather be able to walk around in them and I am a mtber as well so I only need 1 pair of shoes this way... I paid like $80 at my lbs for them...


I've heard good things about the Specialized shoes...I will just have to try them on for fit. My feet run slightly narrow so this may or may not be an issue...

SPD, I guessing you going with the Giant?

Like a bike, the most important thing about shoes is fit. You want a pair of shoes that are very snug with just nuff room to wiggle your toes. Basically, you don't want to be sliding around in your shoes when your pedaling, because that reduce the power transfer and negates some the befits of having clippless pedals.

The second most important factor (at least in getting a pair of mtn shoe for use on a road use) is a stiff sole. Due to size of SPDs, you can get hot spots witha a flexible sole, which can be very uncomfortable.

As for brands, I currently am using a pair of Pearl Izumi with Egg Beaters. PI’s I-Beam based shoes are pretty stuff. I’ve also heard good things about Specialized carbon soled shoes.

Hey Jett,
Yeah, I'm leaning heavily towards the Giant at this point. The 2nd test ride will hopefully be the clincher.

BTW, what are Egg Beaters? I am guessing they are a type of pedal?

Hey Jett,
Yeah, I'm leaning heavily towards the Giant at this point. The 2nd test ride will hopefully be the clincher.

BTW, what are Egg Beaters? I am guessing they are a type of pedal?

Yep, and they look like eggbeaters... One of the benefits is they are 4 sided (at least the ones without cages) vs. 2 sided like the SPD, and they're supposedly very easy to get in and out of... I've never used them, but have lots of friends who do and they love them... I like my SPD just as well though. Once you get used to the pedal, I think they're all pretty good...

Hey Jett,
Yeah, I'm leaning heavily towards the Giant at this point. The 2nd test ride will hopefully be the clincher.

BTW, what are Egg Beaters? I am guessing they are a type of pedal?

They're four sided pedals by crank brothers. They're shaped like the blades of an egg beater and thus the name.

I've heard good things about the Specialized shoes...I will just have to try them on for fit.

I don't have the most expensive bike in the world (daughter #1 is looking at Ivy League colleges for next year and daugthter #2 is a couple of years behind her so there's not much spare change rattling around here) but there are three things on which I go "high end"--saddles, helmets, and shoes. My own personal experience is that the only time I used road shoes that retailed for under $100, they were worthless.