March 21, 2006
The quest for finding a pair of cycling shoes that don't make my feet numb continues on. Last night I got a pair of Specialized Pro Carbon Road Shoes in a men's size 38 from eBay. None of the bike stores carry this size because most men don't have feet small enough for a size 38 (which translates to a 6). This shoe isn't comfortable. Drats.
If asked what size shoe I wear, I have many answers; I have freak feet. I'd take a picture of them and post it here, but I'm nice and don't want to make any of my readers puke.
Women typically have narrow heels and a wider forefoot. I do have the narrow heel, with an EXTREMELY WIDE forefoot due to gradual changes over the last ten years. My father had some serious bunions and it looks like I have inherited this fine genetic characteristic from him.
If I shop at the shoe store, then what fits me best is a women's 7 wide. Nobody carries shoes like that (at least in non-grandma styles) so I cheat and wear an 8 medium. If the shoe style eliminates the width variable (such as a thong), then I usually wear a 7.5 medium. I love sandals and flip-flops, because they don't hurt the living hell out of my feet.
My first pair of cycling shoes: Shimano size 39. My big toe and little toe on each side of my foot are pushed inwards towards the center of the show. That isn't the best feeling in the world, but I'm used to it. Hot spots? Yes. Numbness? Oh, yes.
I really wanted to try a new brand of shoe such as Specialized or Sidi. Sidis: too narrow. Sidi Megas: too narrow. Specialized: too narrow. Seeing a trend here?
Specialized women's size 38: Too narrow. Ouch.
Specialized women's size 39: Perfect in width, but way too long.
Specialized men's size 38: Causing immediate foot numbness because they seem too snug, although length is good.
The women's size 39 wouldn't be a problem other than that the guy fitting me on my bike says he may not be able to position the cleats properly to give me the right ratio of power.
What next? I dunno. I'm stumped.
I'm going to beg and plead to see if we can make the women's 39s work out. I don't care if they are too long; once the foot is set snugly in the shoe, it isn't going to move around. I'm wondering if its possible to drill into the carbon sole to move the cleat downwards a bit more.
Posted by megabeth at March 21, 2006 10:23 AM
Good ideas - perhaps I should take a trip over to Atlanta very soon. Does any store here carry Diadora? How would I know how to contact the reps?
Posted by: megabeth at March 21, 2006 10:49 AM
I am chatting online with a guy from Excel Sports. Apparently I have stumped him into silence. They're too nice to tell me to cut off my feet and get better ones installed.
The diadora thing looks like tennis/soccer?
European shoes hurt me.
Posted by: megabeth at March 21, 2006 11:55 AM
Do you remember which Sidi I tried on at Cahaba a few weeks ago?
I don't know why I can't just wear a shoe that is too long for me. They felt good.
BTW, you are a stinker for that comment above. You know which one I'm talking about.
Posted by: megabeth at March 21, 2006 01:04 PM
I like my Specialized shoes for both road and mountain bike. If anything, they are a touch wide for my narrow feet.
If money is not as much a limiting factor as it is for me, you can check out these sites for customized or custom shoes:
www.rocket7.com,
www.d2customfootwear.com,
www.lustracing.com,
Of course, if you have already bought several pairs of cycling shoes, then you may be approaching the price of these types of shoes anyway.
Good luck!
John
Posted by: john s. at March 21, 2006 01:40 PM
I'd love a pair of custom cycling shoes for $1000! Doesn't seem reasonable, though. :) I'm not quite to that point of desperation; my next idea is to try a pair that are one size too long.
Posted by: megabeth at March 21, 2006 02:57 PM