General Discussion Triathlon Talk » worth it to upgrade bike shoes? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2006-06-08 5:00 PM

User image

SF Bay Area, Mountain View
Subject: worth it to upgrade bike shoes?
so i've been doing all my cycling in Shimano SH-T092 shoes:



which, i've been told, aren't exactly the pick of the litter. they've served me well, though. i've done many a century ride in them (always barefoot) and never got a blister. the do squeak a bit and aren't featherweights, but they do the job.

so i'm basically happy with them and i do distrust people who focus on the gear and not the training. so i'd like to gather a few opinions here - is it worth the money to upgrade?


2006-06-08 5:12 PM
in reply to: #448134

User image

Extreme Veteran
359
1001001002525
Guelph
Subject: RE: worth it to upgrade bike shoes?
I just upgraded to these and they are sweet......I was wearing 10 year old SIDI shoes before...

Spending more money = much faster bike time (at least that's what I tell my wife!)

Edited by TimmyMay 2006-06-08 5:14 PM




(SH-TR02_popup_v1_m56577569830551345.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
SH-TR02_popup_v1_m56577569830551345.jpg (36KB - 40 downloads)
2006-06-08 5:40 PM
in reply to: #448134

User image

Pro
4100
20002000100
Wherever the trail takes me, WA.
Subject: RE: worth it to upgrade bike shoes?
I use the same shoe as "TimmyMay" and love them.. Very confortable, and easy on and off. Highly Recommend.
2006-06-08 6:57 PM
in reply to: #448134

User image

Extreme Veteran
474
1001001001002525
Sydney
Subject: RE: worth it to upgrade bike shoes?
Also have the Shimano and the Nike as well (forgot my shoes at a race in another country, oops).

One thing that both will give you is a much quick transition, also make leaving them on the bike that much easier. For relatively (vs most bike spending) that's a handy 30secs or so in transition saved.
2006-06-08 6:59 PM
in reply to: #448134

User image

Master
1661
10005001002525
Newbury Park, CA
Subject: RE: worth it to upgrade bike shoes?

I've got a few thousand miles (and lots of trainer/spinning hours) on the SH_TR02 and would recommend them highly.  Very affordable for shoes that have decent carbon soles.  I've never worn socks with them either and that is no problem. 

Are you wearing the mtb clips?  The TR02 aren't drilled for those and I don't know if they have an adaptor or not - but you are probably ready to move to real pedals about now

Mine no longer look anything like those pictured here, in fact they don't really resemble shoes anymore.  They certainly are stinky.

2006-06-08 7:03 PM
in reply to: #448134

User image

Master
1661
10005001002525
Newbury Park, CA
Subject: RE: worth it to upgrade bike shoes?
As far as upgrading - carbon soles really are nice.  Non-carbon soles tend to soften up and give you hot spots after awhile.  If you are riding with mtb clips that can be even worse as the force is concentrated in a smaller area of your foot.  Road cleats would help spread that out.


2006-06-08 7:11 PM
in reply to: #448134

User image

SF Bay Area, Mountain View
Subject: RE: worth it to upgrade bike shoes?
any recommendation on good/fairly cheap road pedals?

is the uncleating process the same as for the MTB cleats? (swing heel outwards)
2006-06-08 7:55 PM
in reply to: #448134

Veteran
194
100252525
Charleston, SC
Subject: RE: worth it to upgrade bike shoes?
I also have the same shoes as Timmyman and they have served me very well. I got them on a great deal, so just wait around until Nashbar or Performance Bike has a good sale if you want to upgrade and you'll get them like 30-40% off. I definitely recommend them although I have never tried them barefoot so I can't vouch for their performance in that department
2006-06-08 7:59 PM
in reply to: #448201

User image

Pro
3705
20001000500100100
Vestavia Hills
Subject: RE: worth it to upgrade bike shoes?

Performance Bike has a sale on Speedplay pedals:

Speedplay X5 Road Pedals

 
Price: $114.99
Item #50-2813A
» In Stock http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19592&subcategory_ID=10046

I paid ~$184 for the Zero's at All3Sports a month and a half ago.Yell

2006-06-08 8:22 PM
in reply to: #448134

Master
1741
100050010010025
Boston
Subject: RE: worth it to upgrade bike shoes?
I noticed that on those tri carbon Shimano shoes, when you close the strap, it closes to the inside-- isn't that problematic when you are racing and need to close the shoes quickly? Wouldn't it make more sense to have the strap close and open to the outside of the shoe?
2006-06-08 8:43 PM
in reply to: #448134

User image

Master
1661
10005001002525
Newbury Park, CA
Subject: RE: worth it to upgrade bike shoes?

Reversing the strap keeps it out of the way of the chain and all while they are open.

The LG shoes do it that way too.  Don't know about the others.



Edited by PGoldberger 2006-06-08 8:44 PM


2006-06-08 8:56 PM
in reply to: #448134

User image

Extreme Veteran
465
1001001001002525
Subject: RE: worth it to upgrade bike shoes?
I have carbon soled Shimano road shoes and LOVE them. My tri shoes are Carnac's, and I am not too pleased with them compared to the Shimano, hard to get into, and flexy, they are not carbon but still paid a pretty penny for them. The strap on the carnac pair open into the chain area, which actually is not a problem, I guess it's 6 one way, half a dozen the other - this way I close them while on the bike and my hand is not in the chain area.
2006-06-09 12:10 AM
in reply to: #448134

User image

Master
1924
1000500100100100100
Denver
Subject: RE: worth it to upgrade bike shoes?
I've been a fan of buying the best quality shoes you can afford, to get the best construction.

I have ridden Diadoras and Carnac Altitude's for a while and they were fine. I just stumbled onto an Ebay auction a few weeks ago for a top of the line superlight carbon Carnac M5 that sells for $330.00 in stores (gasp !). Anyway, I lucked out and got them for $112.00

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.c...

These shoes are featherlight, stiff, and have a very comfortable stretch sock liner, similar to some running shoes I've seen. The ratchet adjustment is also nice as it does not stretch and loosen during a ride as velcro can.

I would suggest trying on some shoes and watching Ebay as well. So far I saved $200 on shoes and at least $1000 on a bike from Craigslist.

If you happen to wear a 41, I've got the other Carnac's for sale which are in very good shape with low use.

Edited by Zev 2006-06-09 12:12 AM
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » worth it to upgrade bike shoes? Rss Feed