Shoe questions

DaveB said:

With budgetry approval provided, I've been having a look at shoes
locally and online. Dean Woods have a great deal on for Lake CX110 Tri
shoes for $99 (next best price I've seen is $170) which seem pretty
right for me. I don't know what size shoe I am in bike shoe sizes (about
a 9 in real shoe language) so was thinking of going into the next bike
shop I see and trying some on. Problem is most have Shimano shoes but I
can't find anyone else with this model of Lake shoe, so I'm wondering if
there is much difference between brands.

The other thing is it is listed as SPD/Look/SPD-R compatible, and given
that I need pedals as well was wondering if there is an obvious choice
between the various choices (hopefully I don't invoke too much
discussion on this), or do they all have differing pros and cons (in
which case I might as well go for the cheapest).

DaveB

Dave

Yes there are significant differences between brands. My advice is to
never buy shoes mail order unless you *know* they fit you.
I usually take a size 10 ordinary shoe, and a 44 or 45 cycling shoe,
depending on the brand.

As far as pedals go, you'll be wanting Look pedals for Tri shoes I expect.

To summarise the pros and cons:
SPD - metal cleats, longer wearing, can walk easily
Look - plastic cleats, don't last long, can't walk easily, have more
contact with the pedal so are more comfortable.
SPD-R - I've never looked up close but I believe they are Shimano's
attempt at an SPD-like road pedal. AFAIK, they have been replaced by
another design, which is not compatible with SPD-R. Anyone else know
anything about SPD-Rs?

Basically, if you want to be able to ride and walk easily, get SPD. If
you're riding a road bike and don't have to walk a lot, get Look.

Oh BTW, although Look is a brand name, heaps of companies make
'Look-style' compatible shoes and cleats.

And...when you buy pedals, you normally get a pair of cleats included.

Cheers.
--
Nick

Shoes as the previous poster stated are difficult to buy online & lots of
companies source from different factories for cheaper product every year so
you can't even say a brand is always the same.
If its cheap as with Lake because they quit old stock every year you can
take the chance but ebay is full of shoes where people have taken the
chance.
Probably more cost effective shopping around for a shoe/pedal deal & any
shop will then set the cleats up for you so you can ride away. Strip the
thread on your new shoes fitting some cleats & even IF they replace them
under warranty you will still be out of action for a while.
SPD-R are like SPD (common on mtb) on steroids , bigger surface area &
metal cleat makes for good support & wear BUT lots of shoe companoes didn't
support the format as it required extensive reworking of the sole so have
been superceded by SPD-SL which goes back to 3 hole resin cleats which a
cynic would assume is mainly due to the cleats being more consumable & they
can make more dollars along the track as the SPD-R hardly wear over a
season.

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Quoted message said:

DaveB said:

With budgetry approval provided, I've been having a look at shoes
locally and online. Dean Woods have a great deal on for Lake CX110 Tri
shoes for $99 (next best price I've seen is $170) which seem pretty
right for me. I don't know what size shoe I am in bike shoe sizes (about
a 9 in real shoe language) so was thinking of going into the next bike
shop I see and trying some on. Problem is most have Shimano shoes but I
can't find anyone else with this model of Lake shoe, so I'm wondering if
there is much difference between brands.

The other thing is it is listed as SPD/Look/SPD-R compatible, and given
that I need pedals as well was wondering if there is an obvious choice
between the various choices (hopefully I don't invoke too much
discussion on this), or do they all have differing pros and cons (in
which case I might as well go for the cheapest).

DaveB

Dave

Yes there are significant differences between brands. My advice is to
never buy shoes mail order unless you *know* they fit you.
I usually take a size 10 ordinary shoe, and a 44 or 45 cycling shoe,
depending on the brand.

As far as pedals go, you'll be wanting Look pedals for Tri shoes I expect.

To summarise the pros and cons:
SPD - metal cleats, longer wearing, can walk easily
Look - plastic cleats, don't last long, can't walk easily, have more
contact with the pedal so are more comfortable.
SPD-R - I've never looked up close but I believe they are Shimano's
attempt at an SPD-like road pedal. AFAIK, they have been replaced by
another design, which is not compatible with SPD-R. Anyone else know
anything about SPD-Rs?

Basically, if you want to be able to ride and walk easily, get SPD. If
you're riding a road bike and don't have to walk a lot, get Look.

Oh BTW, although Look is a brand name, heaps of companies make
'Look-style' compatible shoes and cleats.

And...when you buy pedals, you normally get a pair of cleats included.

Cheers.
--
Nick

Steve said:

Shoes as the previous poster stated are difficult to buy online &
lots of companies source from different factories for cheaper product
every year so you can't even say a brand is always the same.

Thanks for the advice guys. I went in to Cecil Walker on the way home
tonight (if I'd goen straight home I might have beaten the rain though).
Tried on some Shimano and Nike MTB shoes (decided if the budget only
stretched to one pari they better be MTB) which had a huge difference in
size even though both were 44. And was further grateful that I didn't
order online when they fitted the cleats to the shoes which took a fair
bit of effort.

I rode home with them with my old pedals and toe clips and found by the
half-hour mark the arches of both feet were really sore. Is that normal?
Hopefully I just need some time to get used to them.

DaveB

DaveB said:

Steve said:

Shoes as the previous poster stated are difficult to buy online &
lots of companies source from different factories for cheaper product
every year so you can't even say a brand is always the same.

Thanks for the advice guys. I went in to Cecil Walker on the way home
tonight (if I'd goen straight home I might have beaten the rain though).
Tried on some Shimano and Nike MTB shoes (decided if the budget only
stretched to one pari they better be MTB) which had a huge difference in
size even though both were 44. And was further grateful that I didn't
order online when they fitted the cleats to the shoes which took a fair
bit of effort.

I rode home with them with my old pedals and toe clips and found by the
half-hour mark the arches of both feet were really sore. Is that normal?
Hopefully I just need some time to get used to them.

DaveB

First, I expect riding with clips _and_ SPDs is probably not going
to help.

I spose like other sport shoes, they need to be snug but not tight.
Make sure you haven't overtightened them.

You'd think with a very stiff sole that bike shoes probably wouldn't
need wearing in like normal shoes. But I've found that new bike shoes
have always felt a bit strange and it takes a short while to get comfy
in them.

You should also check the cleat position. It should be centered under
the ball of your foot (or so I've been told).

I wouldn't think being really sore within half an hour is normal,
but if I were you I'd ride a couple more times to see if it
persists.

--
Nick