Bike Shoes
hi folks - my bike shoes are getting a bit tatty now so thinking about a new pair soon - should I go Tri specific or stick with quick-closing roadie shoes? I don't have any issues hopping off & on moving bikes (ex-MTB racer) so removing shoes / 'barefoot' dismounts no worries.
Is the seconds saved worth the potential loss of a good fit? I hear Tri shoes generally give away good support on the uppers?
Help me cut thru the BS folks! 
Laters,
Dave.
PS. feel free to recommend any too - currently have pearl izumi's which have lasted years & fit well (I think!)
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Comments
Dave,
I'm sure everyone will have their own opinion about this but here's mine. My first pair of cycling shoes were tri shoes. I bought them when I was getting into tri's back in 03 and just about 3 months ago picked up a pair of road shoes. There's something to be said for the comfort differences. My Sidi T1's feel like they're just some floppy leather with a piece of plastic on the bottom. The road shoes I picked up seem to feel a lot more comfortable, and have a lot more support on the upper side. That being said, I've ridden plenty of long rides in the tri shoes with no problem (just got used to them).
I'd say get whatever will be the most comfortable. Unless you're trying to compete in sprints/oly's, or you really think a few seconds will matter to you in a 1/2IM or full IM (for the vast majority of us they don't ), it might be well worth the extra comfort to sacrifice a few seconds putting them on...
One other thought - tri shoes have a lot of holes so they'll dry quicker in the summer. Great in the summer, but in the fall/winter/spring, they can get COLD!
Good luck!
John
I also recently got a pair of Sidi Genius Road shoes that I really like and am using more and more. I'm guessing this year I will use the road shoes 95% of the time and wear the old tri shoes in races so I don't ruin my good shoes.
Shoes are pretty individual as the peral izumi's I had dind't work that well for me. As John said, just try some different shoes on and get what is the most comfortable for you. You definitely do not need tri shoes for IM an HIM racing, but it is nice to be able to get them on/off so easily.
I use my tri shoes for everything: road-biking, time-trialing/triathlon, stationary drainer rides...everything. Personally, I like to train like I race - so all the equipment I use to race, I train with.
Have been thru many pairs of road and mtb shoes. Most are too narrow for my flippers. For past 3 years I have used PI Tri shoe, wide, very light, 1 large velcro strap. I have been in 2 accidents and they are very beat up on the edges of the uppers, but everything else is great. Go for comfort.
my only advice would be to try on whatever brands you can find. bike shoes can be like running shoes and can vary widely between manufacturers. Some are designed super narrow and others are too roomy. Some are crazy stiff and can require swapping insoles to help offer up some cushioning. Lots of variables and very individual in other words. try them on, walk around in them, squat down to the floor and try to keep your heels down. Make sure they let your foot and ankle move all the way.
Whichever bike shoes you choose I suggest that you consider that piece of equipment as critical to your day to day comfort and avoid allowing your purchase to be driven by cutting corners or saving a couple of bucks, if possible. If you go for your second or third choice because it is a few dollars cheaper, you may be cursing your decision with every ride and every turn of your cranks.
For me, running shoes, bike shoes, bike shorts and bike saddles are key components and I am hesitant to cut corners to save a few bucks in that area. If I am going to splurge, this is the area where I will do that and I want to carefully and methodically consider my options.
I have owned a pair of Sidi road shoes for several years now with little or no sign of wear. They are comfortable, durable are probably good for many more years.
I also have 2 pairs: road shoes for most of my rides and tri shoes for races/RR.
In my case both are Sidi because they fit me the best. (they also last long time and you can get replacement parts)
My only recommendation to you is to try as many shes as you can and buy the most comfortable shoe in the right size that fits your budges.
P.S. I'm also an ex- MTB racer and still have my Sidi Dragon from those days.
@Tomer - I have Sidi Dragons (also a pair of old Dominators for winter fun), I like the narrow fit, the Dragon are one sexy shoe - do you have the newer shiny red ones??
@ Matt - my Pearl Izumi seem very Sidi-like (well teh MTB shoes) - very stiff with carbon sole however.
@Scott - also hear good things about Spesh' shoes, the standard road shoes with the Boa lacing system is supposed to be quick and easy to adjust, my local store has both road & Tri versions.
Sidi is the Garmin or Polar of bike shoes. I've had my T1's since 2000, raced over 100 tris (15 IMs) in them, probably 25,000 miles (over 1500 hours), and only have needed to replace the heel pieces once, for a total of $14. Hands down the best value of any piece of equipment I've bought. I wear booties if its below about 48F, otherwise, my feet always feel fine. As Al O said, don't skimp on this sort of equipment - your feet are the foundation of your success.
you're only talking about a few seconds, so i second what others say about racing HIM/IM vs sprints----although if you miss a Kona spot by 4 seconds, i might change my answer.