Nearly new shoes not comfy

[Mars]

Oh it's a stupid thing to find out when it's too late but when I tried on my size 7.5 Specialized Tahos in the shop, they felt as though they were made for me. The half size bigger was way too long, although no wider. Besides, I like them to "just" fit so they don't flop about when you pull on them, and they really did seem to fit nicely. I walked around the shop in them and they didn't rub which is the normal problem I experience with new shoes.

It wasn't until I'd fitted the cleats and ridden in them for an hour that I noticed my 3rd and 4th toes on my right foot going numb.

I've tried taking the cleats off and walking around in them but it's the same story. I can't wear them long enough to break them in because it becomes too uncomfortable.

I'm a bit annoyed because the left one is perfectly comfortable, and they cost me 50 bloody quid. Can't return them as I've obviously used them outside (not to mention removing the rip-off protective sole rubber to expose the mid-sole plate).

I'm going to have to buy some different ones. Buggeration..!!

Worth selling the nearly new ones do you think?

[pdV6]

Possibly. Another option might be to see if a cobbler can give them a little stretch; it does sound like they're only *just* too small.

My current shoes came up on the small side; if I had to wear them all day or walk any distance in them they'd be a pain but for riding they're just fine.

[Mars]

Good idea..!! I know where such a cobbler exists. I'll go and have a chat with him. Thanks.

[Mars]

Not much help from the Schumaker unfortunately. He told me to use those wooden inserts overnight and to wear them as long as possible at home, where I can take them off when they become too much.

So, unwilling to give in, I took the cleats off again and walked around in them. Managed to last a couple of hours this time. Perhaps there's hope yet, although by the end of the 2 hours, my feet hated me.

I also popped into Red Kit Cycles (Shirley, Solihull) and had a look at some alternative shoes, in the event that I give up with the Tahos. The Specialized Sonomas look pretty decent but I worry they are made on the same last as the Tahos.

http://www.red-kite.co.uk/detail.asp?stockid=SPSHS...

I'll try them on if I fail to make any headway with the Tahos. I shall be wearing ONLY the Tahos for the next few days, so if after that time I have failed, it won't be through lack of trying.

Red Kite also had some Shimano shoes which looked useful but they're quite expensive. I'm not a cycle-commuter (leisure cycling only) so anything over 50 quid is difficult to justify.


Lastly, whilst Googling around for interesting bike-stuff, I stumbled upon the new Specialized Crosstrail range. I have a Crossroads, the most basic one from that range. It's about 15 years old now, and still a useful bike but I've long-fancied a sprung front fork and hydraulic disc brakes (no reason - I just love the tech). This seems to suit my requirements down to a tee. Just need to find £650 now.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCExperience.jsp?ei...