Big shoe update

Clothing for large folks is rife with these sorts of problems.
Manufacturers often just scale things up, not noticing that proportions
may be different in larger people than more average sized people.

I'm only 6'4"- tall but not abnormally so. There's a lot of guys who
are my height, at least here in Minnesota I'd say I am at the tall end
of the average range rather than being outside the average range. I am
relatively lanky at 215 lbs, a bit over the top end of my ideal body
weight range but nowhere near obese. Built more like a track rider than
a roadie. I wear a 45L suit.

But jeez, try to buy a shirt! I need a 17 neck - 36 sleeve dress shirt,
but these invariably are proportioned for someone who would fit a 50L
suit. Yikes! Cycling clothes, on the other hand, are almost always
proportioned for whippets which I am not.

I wear size 48 shoes (12 UK, 13 US). My feet are average width, but
finding a pair of cycling shoes that fits has been a challenge for
years. The best fit I have found has been with Lake shoes. Similarly
sized friends have found Shimano shoes to fit well; I don't know who
makes those for Shimano.

Glad you hear you have found something that works at least somewhat
better for you. I wonder if the cleat slots can be extended backwards a
bit to give you more adjustability without weakening the sole.

Tim McNamara said:

Clothing for large folks is rife with these sorts of problems.  
Manufacturers often just scale things up, not noticing that proportions
may be different in larger people than more average sized people.

I'm only 6'4"- tall but not abnormally so.  There's a lot of guys who
are my height, at least here in Minnesota I'd say I am at the tall end
of the average range rather than being outside the average range.  I am
relatively lanky at 215 lbs, a bit over the top end of my ideal body
weight range but nowhere near obese.  Built more like a track rider than
a roadie.  I wear a 45L suit.

Sounds like we have a similar build. I'm 6'3" and comfortably padded
at 225 or so. I'm working my way down to my fighting weight of 205.
Around 210 now. I'd probably be a track rider too if I weren't 700km
from the nearest velodrome...

Quoted message said:

But jeez, try to buy a shirt!  I need a 17 neck - 36 sleeve dress shirt,
but these invariably are proportioned for someone who would fit a 50L
suit.  Yikes!  Cycling clothes, on the other hand, are almost always
proportioned for whippets which I am not.

Shirts are hopeless. They are usually huge in the waist, so it looks
like I'm wearing a tent. Cycling clothes aren't so difficult. Most
Italian clothes fit pretty good with a slimmer waist than American
clothes. I have a few "club fit" American jerseys from Voler and
Nashbar, etc and they are serioulsy pear shaped. Same with shorts.

Quoted message said:

I wear size 48 shoes (12 UK, 13 US).  My feet are average width, but
finding a pair of cycling shoes that fits has been a challenge for
years.  The best fit I have found has been with Lake shoes.  Similarly
sized friends have found Shimano shoes to fit well; I don't know who
makes those for Shimano.

I was undecided between trying Lake and trying the Northwave ones.
Everything has to be ordered, so I chose Northwave because it was
easier. I might still go for some Lake ones if these don't work out. I
like my Diadora ok, but they are a bit worn and I have been worried
about losing/breaking them and being hosed for weeks and missing rides
and races, so I decided to get an additional pair of shoes.

Quoted message said:

Glad you hear you have found something that works at least somewhat
better for you.  I wonder if the cleat slots can be extended backwards a
bit to give you more adjustability without weakening the sole.

Doesn't look good. But if I replace the wide head bolts that came with
the cleats, I should be able to get a few more mm's. I also have a new
bike in the works that has a slimmer chainstay arrangement that my
present bike which should help.

Joseph

Tim McNamara said:

Quoted message said:

I wear size 48 shoes (12 UK, 13 US). My feet are average width, but

finding a pair of cycling shoes that fits has been a challenge for
years. The best fit I have found has been with Lake shoes. Similarly
sized friends have found Shimano shoes to fit well; I don't know who
makes those for Shimano.

In my experience, Shimano shoes tend to run a bit smaller than others,
and always seem to stop at size 48.

--
Work and recreation are not often effected at the same time.
One using a bicycle in business makes an exception to the rule.
- Dr. Edgar H. Earl, Rochester. (~1892)