I've been cycling with racing pedals and cleats for around 4 years. I started off with a cheapo pair of Pearl Isumis which did a job, but when I upgraded my bike I bought a set of dhb road shoes. I've used them for everything since - that's two and a half years of touring, commuting, club rides, time trials etc, (quite a lot of miles) and now, they look a bit scruffy, the heels are wearing, and more than anything, they smell a bit whiffy. They've got wet and dry many times, and for some reason that makes them smell like the neighbours cat uses them as a urinal.
So for a few weeks I've considered replacements. So here's my first question (as it was my first thought), should I keep my smelly existing shoes for winter/commuting and buy a really nice pair for club rides and any races (you know, carbon soles, ratchets and all that jazz), or should I be buying a really nice pair for all uses again?
My thinking is because I tried on a pair of 2012 Specialized either Expert or Comp road shoes, and when I put them on it was like snuggling my foot into a basket of kittens. I don't think my feet have ever been so comfortable - the Boa rotary closing mechanism was surprisingly excellent.
I know it's a lot of money to spend on shoes (circa £150) and you'd want to keep them nice and save them for best, but if I'm doing 70% of my riding either in less than ideal conditions or on my commute then why would I not want my feet to be comfortable all the time?! Surely there's more benefit to using your good shoes daily? If i only saved them for club rides in the summer would I really be getting value?
I've even thought of buying a new pair of the cheap dhbs (around £40) for winter and commuting AND a nice set of best, but again, why whould I be putting up with less comfortable shoes for the majority of my riding?
So what do you guys all do? Any advice?
So for a few weeks I've considered replacements. So here's my first question (as it was my first thought), should I keep my smelly existing shoes for winter/commuting and buy a really nice pair for club rides and any races (you know, carbon soles, ratchets and all that jazz), or should I be buying a really nice pair for all uses again?
My thinking is because I tried on a pair of 2012 Specialized either Expert or Comp road shoes, and when I put them on it was like snuggling my foot into a basket of kittens. I don't think my feet have ever been so comfortable - the Boa rotary closing mechanism was surprisingly excellent.
I know it's a lot of money to spend on shoes (circa £150) and you'd want to keep them nice and save them for best, but if I'm doing 70% of my riding either in less than ideal conditions or on my commute then why would I not want my feet to be comfortable all the time?! Surely there's more benefit to using your good shoes daily? If i only saved them for club rides in the summer would I really be getting value?
I've even thought of buying a new pair of the cheap dhbs (around £40) for winter and commuting AND a nice set of best, but again, why whould I be putting up with less comfortable shoes for the majority of my riding?
So what do you guys all do? Any advice?
