fdny_boss

Just thought I'd let you guys know, I've been using the extra long power straps with hiking shoes for two years because I'd been unable to find cycling shoes wide enough to fit me (size 13, EEEE width). I've tried Sidi , Northwave, Adidas, Nike and Shimano "wide" sizes, with no luck. I finally mail ordered a pair of Lake CX 225's direct from their web site, and they are perfect! They have several styles in wide sizes. Now I just have to decide on a pedal!

Air

Sweet - you have the same feet I do! Adding to my list o links

OrangeOkie

Linky?

charles vail

Congrats on the find but......what was wrong with the old combo? I use skater shoes with cage pedals and powergrips on one bike and toeclips and loose fitting straps on another, with no foot numbness, soreness, or need to buy special pedals in order to ride. I've heard all the talk about efficiency and have used clip in shoes myself, not to mention old school slotted cleats and real leather cycling shoes. I don't honestly notice a huge difference in pedal stroke, comfort, power output or any of the other reasons people think they need "cycling shoes and cleats". I'd be curious to know what your personal observations are after making the switch to the new shoes. Disregarding the usual enthusiasm of new stuff and coinciding increase in riding, I wonder if you'll notice any major differences in your ability to ride faster or if you'll be more comfortable.

Watch out that you keep your clips adjusted on the loose side, clear of road grit, slightly lubed and that the corresponding cleat is not gaffed from walking on rocks or whatever, preventing smooth release or entry. Don't forget you are attached to the pedals when you stop....practice in a parking lot getting in and out of the pedals before you hit the road.

yeamac 

Good to know. Thanks.

I once tried a pair of Lake CX120 Touring Shoes one size larger than my standard shoes (I also have wide feet), and they were so narrow I couldn't even get them on my feet!

CastIron

Ya know I'm a 2e width and find Sidi MEGA's to be almost too wide. I figured a 4e would be a perfect fit for those.

masi61

-1 on the pedals and toe clips for me. I rode those for years and the difference with clipless is so significant that I've jettisoned almost all my old style pedals. I mean, come on, with toe clips and straps you're mostly mashing the pedals on the downstroke. Good cycling shoes and clipless pedals not only gives a sturdy platform to efficiently transfer power throughout the downward parts of the stroke, it also greatly improves the fluidity of the upstroke. If you don't believe me, check you hamstrings for the first month of steady riding after you convert. You're using more and different muscles to propel yourself forward. Please don't confuse this recommendation as a "fascination for new stuff" as you say, since I'm riding MKS Mapstage, an early clipless pedal design that was last produced around 1990. Actually kind of old school.

BTW: I ride with Sidi Mega 46's and they're fine for me. But I'm just an E width. Glad you're happy with the fit of the Lake shoes. If you're a road rider and a clyde, you might want to go with clipless road pedals of the Look Keo or Shimano Ultegra variety due to the wider platform. You can ride this style of pedal for a lot of hours in the saddle without significant hotspots under the ball of your foot from what I understand. These are the pedals I'll be looking at when my Mapstages are finally toast.

Grampy™

https://www.lakecycling.com/

I've got 2 pairs of Lakes..... Road and Mountain both wides. I love 'em.

fdny_boss

After a couple years with power straps, I would still get sore spots on my feet. I've also really felt the need for a stiffer sole, thats why the hiking shoes. Still haven't decided on pedals yet, though I do have an older (7 years) set of Looks that are hardly used, I'll probably start with them. If I do decide to stick with clipless, I've also heard great things about the Ultegra's. I'll let you guys know.

charles vail

If you are like me, I'll bet you are a big/powerfull rider and you probably have a tendancy to mash your pedals with higher gears. Skinny flyweights can't often do this. I have had to purposely gear down and spin. Once I did this, my foot problems stopped. I use skateboader style shoes because they are wide enough, with a stiffer sole than normal sport shoes. They have a narrow, rather than flaired heel. I use powergrips and on another bike, loose fitting toe straps with toeclips. The spinning technique many talk about is what you need to be doing and it doesn't require that you be firmly attached to the pedals.
Just unweight the opposite leg, the one coming on the upstroke, push forward, then down, then back a little, in the power zone. To do this you need to use a slightly lower gear for the terrain than normal. Concentrate on a slightly higher than usual cadence. Some foot retention helps but you don't need to use clip ins to make this work for you. You must however, use a pedal with a grippy surface and a softer non slippery, outer sole. No hard plastic soles or small, slick surface, pedals. I think when many say, "riding without clip ins doesn't work and is inefficient", they are thinking about the wrong combo of shoe style and pedal. In a sense, with my combo of shoe pedal and powergrip or toe clip/strap I am riding with retention....just not as much! And I have foolproof silent release.

paul43

I just received my Sidi Genius 5 Lorica MEGAS. I wear a 14EEE and these shoes fit with room to spare.
I also loved the EASE of getting them on and off.

I'am a happy camper. Now if the pedals would only arrive.

Dewey Oxberger

Bump this back up! So how are the Lake CX225's work'n out! I've got feet about your size (13.5 4E) and I'd love some real cycling shoes.

thebankman

Try finding wide pedals that aren't MKS brand and over a hundred dollars. The only real options for people with big feet are BMX style and MKS Touring, everything else is too narrow for a US size 13 foot. Clipless is the best option, but it's nice to have non-clipless pedals on some bikes so you can go into stores and not have to change shoes.

charles vail

I agree......and just use the wide MKS pedals with toeclips. So far no complaints. The only thing keeping me from riding faster is age and weight. Totally happy averaging between 10-20 mph depending on the route. I notice you have a Centurion Lemans check out my Centurion Super Lemans at:

https://www.myspace.com/eccentriccyclistcharlie

fordfasterr

strange = this...

I use size 11 4E shoes ...

I use a standard width cycling shoe with no issues. ???

Makes no sense, but its true.

Dewey Oxberger

Bump this back up! fdny_boss I owe you one!

I bought a pair of the Lake CX225's and THEY FREAK'N FIT. My foot size is 13 and a little wider than EEEE so I went with 48 Wides and they are best fitting shoes I've ever had. Not just cycling shoes, any shoes. The length and width are spot on perfect.

My ride setup is spd's on 30mm pedal extenders and I have enough room for a good amount of toe-out that my knees really need to keep from tanking. I'll be changing to speedplays here in a few weeks.

The Lakes look like great shoes. I'll post back in 2K miles with an update.

Retem

yeah I am d but I have a high instep and the regular sidis fit like a glove after the first rain storm they had to stretch just a little but not so much that it was ever terribly uncomfortable like my diadoras were