Bike Help Needed...Hey, Cheapie!

[faither]

I have a Trek 7500FX (example here)
http://images.andale.com/f2/114/108/19703614/1155286548016_Trek_Red__1_.jpg

and have been doing quite a bit of riding. I use conventional pedals with toe straps. I want to move to clip pedals and shoes and am stumped by all the choices. I have a wider foot and know that many are pretty narrow.

Would anyone have a suggestion as to which way to go? Thanks.

[johnnymk]

I took the toe straps off of mine and it made a world of difference.

[Markel]

Back when I was doing more serious riding (this goes back to the mid-70s), I had toe clips and riding shoes (but no cleats - most of my riding was on the street, and I didn't want to be that locked into the pedals). What I needed was the steel shank in the bottom of the shoes to keep the ridge on the pedals from becoming an imprint on the bottom of my feet. I have a 10 1/2 D shoe size, and I was able to find a riding shoe that fit. If I remember, when I bought them the guy said that shoes from some country (I can't remember which) tended to be wider. Check around, and you'll probably be able to find something.

[sixpac shakur]

faither, my husband and I both have wide feet and we tried on many different types of shoes. We both ended up buying Shimano shoes because the salesman at the Trek store and the salesman at REI both stated that Shimano shoes run a little wider than the others. He was right, we both love our shoes.

I bought the SH-M121W (these are the womens but my husband has the mens equivalent). They are mountain bike shoes so they're a little more versatile so you don't need to be afraid to walk around in them a little.

[kgsilvas]

Paging cheapie! His input should be helpful.

[cheapie]

oh dear. i'm not sure i can handle the pressure. :gle:


my advice? go try on a bunch of them. i have no idea which ones would be best for wide feet. but if you're not going to be doing a bunch of serious riding i'd choose something more casual that will allow you to walk around at the gas station, coffee shop, etc. w/o looking and sounding like a bike dork. i.e. me. :wavey2:

specialized has some very nice shoes that won't cost you a ton for comfort and functionality.

i found a thread regarding this topic but following the suggestion will cost you a bundle: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=216247&highlight=wide+foot

here's more threads on the subject. some of the suggestions wouldn't be terribly pricey: http://www.cyclingforums.com/t356786.html

http://www.cyclingforums.com/search.php?searchid=467771

http://www.cyclingforums.com/t310740.html (the thread addresses road shoes but most companies make the exact same model with cleats on the bottom for mtn biking)

http://www.cyclingforums.com/t302895.html

http://www.cyclingforums.com/t244328.html

http://www.cyclingforums.com/search.php?searchid=467771&pp=50&page=2

let me know if this does or doesn't help!

[faither]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'm going to stop into a couple of bike shops tomorrow or Friday and try a bunch on. Your suggestions surely have identified a few manufacturers/models I can start with.

[faither]

Well I went to a couple of good bike shops during the past few days and picked up the Shimano PD-A520 pedals and Nike VYR III shoes. Took a ride with them this morning and found them to be very easy to get used to -- definitely more efficient than riding with straps.

The only downside I can see is that with only one bike short rides to the neighborhood pool, gym and lodge (less than .5 miles) might be a pain in the a$$ if I have to slap on the shoes. Maybe I can find SPD sandals.



http://www.gambacicli.it/componenti/shimano%20PDA520.JPG

http://backbaybicycles.com/images/library/large/nike_90591_05_m.jpg

[cheapie]

the easier thing to do would be buy something like these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220013428324&category=36137

just a plastic platform you pop on when you don't want to put your "biking" shoes on.

[cheapie]

http://i20.ebayimg.com/05/i/06/be/9a/4d_1.JPG