Dec 01 2008
Wide Cycling Shoes
Some time ago someone anonymously subscribed me to Bicycling magazine. I don’t know if they did it as a favor or if they wanted to hear my comments on the publication. I do like some of the articles, but for the most part their magazine is not really geared for me. I would like to see a company like Rodale realize there is a market for a bicycle commuting magazine or at least feature more bicycle commuting relate material in their issues.
In the January/February 2009 issue of bicycling magazine they have a whole 1 inch column on page 41 “Find Your Comfort Zone” dedicated to commuters, while the rest of the magazine appears to be written for the enthusiast.
In the gear section they have an article titled, “KICK THE COLD AWAY” and in it they give a brief review of four winter shoes. Nothing was mentioned about shoes for people with wide feet, which means they did not mention Lake or Sidi. I own both brands in various models and can highly recommend them for riders with wide feet.
I use the Sidi’s when I ride my carbon bike and the Lakes on my commuter bike. Both brands are excellent. The Sidi Genius Mega feel so good I wish my regular shoes felt that comfortable and the Lake MX101 and MXZ302 fit just as well. The MX101 I use for daily commuting when the weather is dry and temps are reasonable, while the MXZ302’s I use in wet and cold conditions. Each of these shoes have performed excellently.
Having wide feet and looking for cycling shoes can be a nuisance and some cyclists with wide feet will sacrifice comfort. Proper fit and comfort are on the top of my list when I look for any shoes. The power you generate goes directly through your feet and if they are hurting, wet or cold you are going to have a miserable ride. Bicycling is too much fun to let poorly fitting or nonperforming shoes ruin your ride.
I also have a subscription to Bicycling. I always thought it was due to money I spent somewhere and every now and then Bicycling tries to get me back. I haven’t paid for a subscription in years. Bicycling used to be a good magazine about ten years or so ago. Back then I subscribed. Then they fired most of the staff and changed the format. I think it is now written for the twenty something in your face extreme sport male. It’s like the Cosmo of bicycling and they sell sex as much as anything.
Ten years ago they had good articles covering a wide variety of topics. That is no longer the case.
Now I belong to Adventure Cycling and get the Roadbikerider.com newsletter each week.