To all the ladies in the place

[jayfrizzo]

I'm calling out to ya...

I'm buying Mrs. Frizzo some clipless pedals and shoes for her Birfday. She's a mountain biker. I'm thinking Mallets (and not the used ones I'm getting from Flyk) because I can see her not always wanting to ride with her shoes.

What shoes are hot with the ladies? She's a recreational XCer who rides a couple times a week.

Thanks!

J-

[altagirl]

Consider how much she'll be walking in them (and on what kinds of surfaces) to pick a sole style, and then go with what fits. For example if she's riding XC and not walking much, you can go for a super stiff sole (Sidi's, etc) - more efficient for pedaling power but a pain to walk in - and you'll likely kill yourself if you try to walk in them on slickrock. Otherwise, find something with a reasonably stiff sole that's has rubbery/grippy lugs that's walkable.

I have some Sidis which I loved until we started riding in Moab - where plastic lugs feel like walking on ice. Lately I've been using some closeout ladies AXO shoes that have been working well.

[skiergirl]

I used to have these shoes http://www.rei.com/product/47684016....HP_CYCLING_TOC and they were really comfortable and casual. I don't know if they will work with the CB pedals. I've sinced passed them onto a friend that spins in them. I switched up to some Sidi's that I love but the plastic soles definitely have some drawbacks.

[wintermittent]

I'm not a lady, but I will nevertheless get funky and suggest you look at the 2005 Pearl Izumi women's shoes. I've seen the Flow (stiff sole), Fluid (sorta stiff sole), and Groove (not a stiff sole) models, and they're really nice. PI fit is more "American" and relaxed in width (like an AXO), compared to a narrower "Euro" fit (like a Sidi), if that helps. If you can forgo the surprise, definitely have her try some stuff on to find the right fit.

Crank Brothers cleats come with plastic shims, so you can compensate for sole thickness. If you went with the Mallets, you might have to add a shim to the shoe, because CB pedals have a really low stack height -- especially those Mallets. They're meant to grab at the soles of even the flattest-soled shoe. Whatever shoe she decides on, you should be able to make it work with the shims if need be.

[irul&ublo]

I'm not a lady, but I am a frequent recreational cross dresser and suggest you look at the 2005 Pearl Izumi women's shoes. I've seen the Flow (stiff sole), Fluid (sorta stiff sole), and Groove (not a stiff sole) models, and they're really nice. PI fit is more "American" and relaxed in width (like an AXO), compared to a narrower "Euro" fit (like a Sidi), if that helps. If you can forgo the surprise, definitely have her try some stuff on to find the right fit.

Crank Brothers cleats come with plastic shims, so you can compensate for sole thickness. If you went with the Mallets, you might have to add a shim to the shoe, because CB pedals have a really low stack height -- especially those Mallets. They're meant to grab at the soles of even the flattest-soled shoe. Whatever shoe she decides on, you should be able to make it work with the shims if need be.

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[wintermittent]

I'm not a lady, but I am a frequent professional threadjacking smartass

The purple Pearls would look thooper with my shaved legs...

[phUnk]

Get something with a rubber sole that will grip well on rocks. It's already been said, but it'll make a big difference.

Also, don't discount the benefit of having her try them on and letting her decide if she likes laces (less high-end) or velcro straps (more high-end) and what shape feels best on her foot.

Also also, you can put my old beat-up bike shoes in a box as a funny way to say "let's go out and pick you out some cool bike shoes."

[altagirl]

One more thing to consider - I know on the women's board at MTBR there are some women with very narrow feet who prefer lace up shoes to velcro because you can get them tighter.

And good idea from phUnk with the old shoes and a trip to go shopping for the perfect fit.