Road vs Triathlon Shoes???

Hi, question regarding high-end triathlon shoes versus high-end regular road shoes. I have a pair of
the one-strap triathlon shoes, and while they work great for triathlon, I wonder if I should also
have a seperate pair of three-strap shoes for regular training rides/road races. I am very
competitive in triathlon, and don't mind spending the extra for two pairs if there really is a
difference. After trying a few on, seems that the regular road shoes have significantly less heel
slippage than the triathlon shoes. Does this make any performance difference, and are there other
differences large or small? Thanks!

> Hi, question regarding high-end triathlon shoes versus high-end regular road shoes. I have a pair
> of the one-strap triathlon shoes, and while they work great for triathlon, I wonder if I should
> also have a seperate pair of three-strap shoes for regular training rides/road races. I am very
> competitive in triathlon, and don't mind spending the extra for two pairs if there really is a
> difference. After trying a few on, seems that the regular road shoes have significantly less heel
> slippage than the triathlon shoes. Does this make any performance difference, and are there other
> differences large or small? Thanks!

In general, Tri-specific shoes will have a liner (so they feel comfortable when not wearing socks)
and be made for very easy entry. Typically that means a single velcro strap, so there's less to mess
with. The use of more straps (either two or three, as found on most standard road shoes) does two
things- First, it helps with fit, since you can adjust the shoe to fit your foot at more than one
location. And second, it may give a more secure feeling as you pull up on the pedals.

If your Tri shoes feel very comfortable when riding, and you don't notice any "sponginess" (don't
know how else to describe it) when pulling up, then there's little to be gained from another pair of
shoes. But sometimes the standard shoes will expose the compromises made for a Tri-specific model.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles www.ChainReaction.com

> In general, Tri-specific shoes will have a liner (so they feel comfortable when not wearing socks)
> and be made for very easy entry. Typically that means a single velcro strap, so there's less to
> mess with. The use of more straps (either two or three, as found on most standard road shoes) does
> two things- First, it helps with fit, since you can adjust the shoe to fit your foot at more than
> one location. And second, it may give a more secure feeling as you pull up on the pedals.

I have the exact opposite opinion. I find fewer straps means more comfort in my riding shoes. I have
yet to try the Carnac single strap shoes, but they will be the next ones I buy. I have two strap
Carnac road shoes and three strap Carnac mountain bike shoes. The two straps hold more securely and
are more comfortable when pulling up on the pedals. The top strap is the only strap that matters in
cycling shoes. I tighten the top strap and leave all of the lower straps on both shoes loose. There
is no point squeezing the lower part of the foot with cycling shoes since all of the force occurs on
the top strap. The two strap shoe is more comfortable because the top strap is wider than on the
three strap model. And one strap triathalon shoes have the widest strap of all. More comfortable
because the force is spread out over a greater area.

> There is no point squeezing the lower part of the foot with cycling shoes since all of the force
> occurs on the top strap. The two strap shoe is more comfortable because the top strap is wider
> than on the three strap model. And one strap triathalon shoes have the widest strap of all. More
> comfortable because the force is spread out over a greater area.

If the shoe fits your foot perfectly, I agree. But many will find it uncomfortable having the front
of their foot "swimming" laterally across the shoe because it's too big. Large toe boxes, no
problem, but proper fit width-wise is a relevant issue, and that's what the multiple straps address.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles www.ChainReaction.com

"Russell Seaton" <russellseaton1@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:e90052be.0401290901.68510fbc@posting.google.com...
> > In general, Tri-specific shoes will have a liner (so they feel
comfortable
> > when not wearing socks) and be made for very easy entry. Typically that means a single velcro
> > strap, so there's less to mess with. The use of
more
> > straps (either two or three, as found on most standard road shoes) does
two
> > things- First, it helps with fit, since you can adjust the shoe to fit
your
> > foot at more than one location. And second, it may give a more secure feeling as you pull up on
> > the pedals.
>
> I have the exact opposite opinion. I find fewer straps means more comfort in my riding shoes. I
> have yet to try the Carnac single strap shoes, but they will be the next ones I buy. I have two
> strap Carnac road shoes and three strap Carnac mountain bike shoes. The two straps hold more
> securely and are more comfortable when pulling up on the pedals. The top strap is the only strap
> that matters in cycling shoes. I tighten the top strap and leave all of the lower straps on both
> shoes loose. There is no point squeezing the lower part of the foot with cycling shoes since all
> of the force occurs on the top strap. The two strap shoe is more comfortable because the top strap
> is wider than on the three strap model. And one strap triathalon shoes have the widest strap of
> all. More comfortable because the force is spread out over a greater area.