Okay, since the new bike seems like it'll never become a reality with my job search luck, I figure I at least have to upgrade some gear before training camp and what hopefully will be a good biking year now that I'm out of hot, flat Florida.

I'm definitely in need of new shoes. I love my Specialized shoes, but was considering switching to Sidi since I can get a deal on them through work. The guy at the Specialized shop said he'd give me a deal since I work at a shop (and he used to work with our shop manager), so that is in consideration since I'd like to support a local shop, as well. The biggest problem is that I can't seem to find anyone that still carries Sidi, so I can at least try them on to compare. I do recall them feeling quite nice when trying them on last year. I may just have to stick with what I know. Any input on shoes?

In looking at shoe options, I also had to look at my cleat issue. I have always used crank bros petals---egg beaters, candies, and eventually quattros on the road bike (started with the egg beaters). I still have a set of new 3-hole CB cleats, since my current shoes have both 2 and 3-hole patterns and I just used the 2 hole CB cleats with pontoons around them because they're cheaper and adjustable. I just realized they no longer make quattros; so at some point I'll need to switch. One thought was to go back to the egg beaters, since they're lighter than road pedals that cost much, much more. Is the platform really that important with how stiff the new shoes are? If I decide to go to another road pedal, I'd like some input as to what people have used and what they like. Gracias.

BTW, they've started referring to me as Custer at work due to my facial hair (this is definitely my best 'stache to date, I can't wait for the moustache ride and being able to hang out with everyone again!)

On the shoe front, the only pair I've ever owned are a pair of Specialized. They never did me wrong, but everyone is agog with Sidi. My brother-in-law has a pair and loves them. Heard they run narrow, but also heard they are coming in wider sizes these days.

On the pedal/cleat front, I'm a fan of Speedplay. Solid pedals, never had problems engaging/disengaging, and enough float that I've never really needed to think about it. When I get new pedals, I'll get another set of Speedplay.


Don't know. But speaking out of my a**, if I were guessing, I'd say the platform matters less. My thinking is that the pedal/cleat exists to keep your feet connected to the bicycle. As long as they do that, and disengage when you need to get out of them, they are "good". The stiff shoe is what matters more (again, speaking out of my a** here), because the flex in your shoe would be what loses "energy" as you're pedaling.

But like I said, I'm talking out of my a**. Take all that with a massive dose of salt.

I switched from a carbon sole to a non-carbon and I regret it. My feet hurt after long rides in the non carbon Sidis in a way they never did with the carbon soled shimanos i had. My only guess is it's fatigue since the fit is fine otherwise.