Narrow Fit Cycle Shoes
Discussion
Hi
Narrow road shoes needed for narrow feet ! Are there any specific brands that tend to be a bit narrower ? A quick google suggested shimano shoes may be narrower than some ?
Im wondering if its worth a trip to Evans - do they stock lots of different brands / sizes in store ?
1st foray into clipless having abstained for many years - just didn't like the idea of being clipped in an thought must surely make getting foot down in an emergency slower ? Is it worthwhile game changer - i remember my 1st road bike after years of MTB and it felt like cheating - if its that worthwhile then i could be in ?
I'm aware there are different cleats - whats that all about and is there a generally recognised format i should default to to try 1st ?
Cheers
Pot Odds
Narrow road shoes needed for narrow feet ! Are there any specific brands that tend to be a bit narrower ? A quick google suggested shimano shoes may be narrower than some ?
Im wondering if its worth a trip to Evans - do they stock lots of different brands / sizes in store ?
1st foray into clipless having abstained for many years - just didn't like the idea of being clipped in an thought must surely make getting foot down in an emergency slower ? Is it worthwhile game changer - i remember my 1st road bike after years of MTB and it felt like cheating - if its that worthwhile then i could be in ?
I'm aware there are different cleats - whats that all about and is there a generally recognised format i should default to to try 1st ?
Cheers
Pot Odds
You're the polar opposite of me then, as I seem to have Hobbit feet! 
Definitely don't go for Lake. They're the only shoes I was able to find that did fit me, so will definitely be too wide!
I tried Shimano, Sidi, Bontrager, Specialized and a good couple more. The measuring guides reckoned I was a 41/42, yet I was up in a 45/46 before I found something wide enough, and then had a good inch of spare shoe at the front! Even the Lake was a 44...
Definitely don't go for Lake. They're the only shoes I was able to find that did fit me, so will definitely be too wide!
I tried Shimano, Sidi, Bontrager, Specialized and a good couple more. The measuring guides reckoned I was a 41/42, yet I was up in a 45/46 before I found something wide enough, and then had a good inch of spare shoe at the front! Even the Lake was a 44...
Shimano "proper" shoes do come up narrow in my experience, their trail type shoes that look more like normal trainers/hiking boots are made a fair bit wider.
Mountain bike type SPDs are easier to get in and out of as they are double sided. I use them on my road bike so I don't have to have different shoes for each bike. Once you get used to them the difference they make to getting your foot down must be milliseconds, it just becomes second nature to twist your ankle out slightly when dismounting.
Mountain bike type SPDs are easier to get in and out of as they are double sided. I use them on my road bike so I don't have to have different shoes for each bike. Once you get used to them the difference they make to getting your foot down must be milliseconds, it just becomes second nature to twist your ankle out slightly when dismounting.
Edited by lufbramatt on Friday 1st April 09:17
Pot Odds said:
I'm aware there are different cleats - whats that all about and is there a generally recognised format i should default to to try 1st?
Fundamentally this is split between MTB style (SPD) and Road style (SPD-SL, Look Keo et al). MTB style uses metallic cleats that are recessed into the shoes, so they're much more durable and you can walk on them easily. Road styles are lighter and more aerodynamic (the shoes and the cleats), but plastic-based and so do wear out more quickly. They also stick out from the shoes so walking is more difficult, but you do get used to that.If you're trying to go as fast as possible then road cleats are best. If you're focused on commuting, constant cafe stops and maybe some gnarmac terrain or touring where walking might be needed, then MTB would suit you better.
If you do choose road style cleats/pedals then you'll have the choice of Shimano or Look. There are others but these two are the most common. They're not compatible with each other. I've not noticed any performance difference but the Look pedals seem to be used on all the Wattbikes and spin bikes in gyms, so if that's your thing then choosing Look would be wise.
Northwave come up fairly narrow, Diodora used to, but I had a more modern Diodora pair and they are quite wide, even though both are 3 bolt road shoes that are 42!
I have a narrow ankle and its a pita as I have to do the top strap really tight often to keep it in place
Most people seem to want wide fit shoes!
Chain reaction have some good shoes really reduced at the moment, if I was you I would order 2-3 pairs and send back the ones that dont fit. I would also buy now as by summer lots of stockists run out of the popular sizes, especially as lots are discounted at the moment. I managed to get a £100 Northwave pair (was actually £100 once) for £40
In the past Ive bought my commuting shoes off ebay for really cheap, often people buy a size, think it fits and after one ride (or not even that) realise they dont and cant send them back as they have been used (very minimally). Ive got some great shoes that are pretty much new for under £20. Obviously I stick to brands that I am confident in the fit
I have a narrow ankle and its a pita as I have to do the top strap really tight often to keep it in place
Most people seem to want wide fit shoes!
Chain reaction have some good shoes really reduced at the moment, if I was you I would order 2-3 pairs and send back the ones that dont fit. I would also buy now as by summer lots of stockists run out of the popular sizes, especially as lots are discounted at the moment. I managed to get a £100 Northwave pair (was actually £100 once) for £40
In the past Ive bought my commuting shoes off ebay for really cheap, often people buy a size, think it fits and after one ride (or not even that) realise they dont and cant send them back as they have been used (very minimally). Ive got some great shoes that are pretty much new for under £20. Obviously I stick to brands that I am confident in the fit
Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Friday 1st April 09:56
Kermit power said:
You're the polar opposite of me then, as I seem to have Hobbit feet!
Definitely don't go for Lake. They're the only shoes I was able to find that did fit me, so will definitely be too wide!
I tried Shimano, Sidi, Bontrager, Specialized and a good couple more. The measuring guides reckoned I was a 41/42, yet I was up in a 45/46 before I found something wide enough, and then had a good inch of spare shoe at the front! Even the Lake was a 44...
Tried Bont wide fit?Definitely don't go for Lake. They're the only shoes I was able to find that did fit me, so will definitely be too wide!
I tried Shimano, Sidi, Bontrager, Specialized and a good couple more. The measuring guides reckoned I was a 41/42, yet I was up in a 45/46 before I found something wide enough, and then had a good inch of spare shoe at the front! Even the Lake was a 44...
I have used Specialized for years which fit perfectly at the same size as my 'normal' non cycling shoes and boots
A while ago I bought a pair of Fiziks in a sale
They were utterly beautiful and stupidly cheap and I persevered waiting for them to give - they didnt
In my experience Fizik fit narrow, very narrow
They are also lovely, just not for me
Thanks for all your replies so far - really helpful.
With regard to SPS-SL or Look cleats/pedals a colleague commented that he found the look system much easier to clip in and out of - is this a view supported by others ?
I've already purchased a set of shimano R540 light action spd-sl pedals (yet to get the shoes) but am not adverse to giving look a try if they are easier to get in and out of ? I went for the light actions as being new to clipless i wanted something as easy as possible to get out of to start with and am happy to change later if need be.
Thanks again
Pot Odds
With regard to SPS-SL or Look cleats/pedals a colleague commented that he found the look system much easier to clip in and out of - is this a view supported by others ?
I've already purchased a set of shimano R540 light action spd-sl pedals (yet to get the shoes) but am not adverse to giving look a try if they are easier to get in and out of ? I went for the light actions as being new to clipless i wanted something as easy as possible to get out of to start with and am happy to change later if need be.
Thanks again
Pot Odds
You're worrying too much about clipping in and unclipping. Seriously, you won't even notice you're doing it after a ride or two, simply kick your heel out sideways and it's job done. You don't forget, you don't get stuck, you don't try and lift your foot off the pedal, you just twist and you're done and it really is that simple.
Of course there's always tales of forgetting and falling over but I can honestly say the only time I've not unclipped was on my MTB going over a wet cattle grid where the front wheel just went without warning, other than that I've never had any problems either with SPDs or SPD-SLs since day one. Just get the ones you like best and don't worry about which one's easier to unclip - they're all easy.
Of course there's always tales of forgetting and falling over but I can honestly say the only time I've not unclipped was on my MTB going over a wet cattle grid where the front wheel just went without warning, other than that I've never had any problems either with SPDs or SPD-SLs since day one. Just get the ones you like best and don't worry about which one's easier to unclip - they're all easy.
Antony Moxey said:
You're worrying too much about clipping in and unclipping.
Absolutely - just seems to go against the grain for me but I'm sure will become second nature in no time. Will get some shoes this week and get it done - i'll be clacking my way around with the rest of you shortly !Thanks again
Pot Odds
Thought i'd update incase anyone with a similar question finds the topic.
I bought a set of Louis Garneau Copal Road shoes from Evans - having ordered a load of shimano RP3s initially in different sizes they didn't work out for me. I therefore went to Evans shop/warehouse at Gatwick and was able to spend an hour trying on a range of shoes / sizes and the LG Copal seemed most comfortable - would thoroughly recommend this for anyone with awkward foot sizing.
I have one size 10 foot and the other at a 10.5 which in the shop appeared to work well with the LG size 46. However after a couple of weeks use I am now noticing a little foot numbness on my larger foot after about 10 miles or so - I'm wondering if id have been better off with the 47's or whether i need to bite the bullet and have a 46 on one foot and a 47 on the other (has anyone found similar ?). Typically I'm finding when going up a size the shoe on the 10 foot feels too big/loose.
Im getting along ok with clipped in so far but think i probably need to play around with cleat position - the cleats are fitted as far forward as possible atm and roughly central but I don't think I've got the toe/heel angle right. GCN video appeared to suggest a bit of toe in angle as a starter (similar to how your feet hang if sitting with them dangling) so I think i'll give them a tweak. Moved to Blues instead of yellows - not quite as easy to clip in though due to the front of the cleat being larger.
Did people raise the saddle ever so slightly when moving to clipless ?
I have definitely noticed the difference on hills and am much more comfortable climbing out of the saddle now.
Thanks for all the advice
Pot Odds
I bought a set of Louis Garneau Copal Road shoes from Evans - having ordered a load of shimano RP3s initially in different sizes they didn't work out for me. I therefore went to Evans shop/warehouse at Gatwick and was able to spend an hour trying on a range of shoes / sizes and the LG Copal seemed most comfortable - would thoroughly recommend this for anyone with awkward foot sizing.
I have one size 10 foot and the other at a 10.5 which in the shop appeared to work well with the LG size 46. However after a couple of weeks use I am now noticing a little foot numbness on my larger foot after about 10 miles or so - I'm wondering if id have been better off with the 47's or whether i need to bite the bullet and have a 46 on one foot and a 47 on the other (has anyone found similar ?). Typically I'm finding when going up a size the shoe on the 10 foot feels too big/loose.
Im getting along ok with clipped in so far but think i probably need to play around with cleat position - the cleats are fitted as far forward as possible atm and roughly central but I don't think I've got the toe/heel angle right. GCN video appeared to suggest a bit of toe in angle as a starter (similar to how your feet hang if sitting with them dangling) so I think i'll give them a tweak. Moved to Blues instead of yellows - not quite as easy to clip in though due to the front of the cleat being larger.
Did people raise the saddle ever so slightly when moving to clipless ?
I have definitely noticed the difference on hills and am much more comfortable climbing out of the saddle now.
Thanks for all the advice
Pot Odds
Edited by Pot Odds on Sunday 1st May 14:24
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