Lake Cycling Shoes?
#1
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Lake Cycling Shoes?
Does anyone here wear them? If so, what are your impressions? I'm interested because they appear to have a more supple upper than my current shoes, which are getting a bit long in the tooth. Looking at the CX237 model.
TIA
TIA
#2
Kit doesn't match
Lake has a range of offerings, but in general, they make good stuff. They offer most models in wides, which is good for those of us with duck feet.
#4
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I've put about 7500 miles on my Lakes and they've been really good. Recently bought a pair of Sidi genius and like them better than the Lakes as far as comfort and fit.
Probably not apples to apples considering the price so no complaints at all on the Lakes. I still use them on the trainer.
Probably not apples to apples considering the price so no complaints at all on the Lakes. I still use them on the trainer.
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Lakes are great.
The only caveat is that they have 3 different lasts, and each last is of different widths. If you can get the higher level ones with the Kangaroo leather, those are really nice.
The only caveat is that they have 3 different lasts, and each last is of different widths. If you can get the higher level ones with the Kangaroo leather, those are really nice.
#6
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I have wider feet so Lake is the only shoe that I think is affordable that are comfortable. I have two pairs and both have been great. One pair is probably 6 years old and well in bad shape an one is brand new. I will throw out the old after indoor riding is over this spring and move on to the new pair. The old ones are CX160 model the new one I am not sure of.
I think for the value for a wide size shoe they are fantastic!
I think for the value for a wide size shoe they are fantastic!
#7
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I've had the CX237 for 5+ years, and the CX402 for 4+ years. The lasts on the 237's are slightly more generous than the ones on the 402's, but they're both an awesome shoe.
#9
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Always liked the look of them.. but for who knows what reason, they skipped the size 49 though.. and per their mm sizing guidelines, that's where I'd be. Their size 48 would be too small, and the 50 likely too big.
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I have the low end CX 176. I cannot recommend them. The boa system has a lot of friction so you can’t get it very tight without “stressing” it for a few minutes. The forefoot strap asymmetrically applies pressure to the medial side. The heel cup doesn’t hold very well. The amount of padding, in my opinion, is not befitting of a road cycling shoe. Either due to poor fit, or due to a small toebox (probably the former), my pinkie toe starts hurting at the end of the ride. Probably from my foot sliding forward and bumping against the toebox. Lastly, the stack is quite thick - but this isn’t really a big concern.
I can’t speak about any of the other Lake models but I have to assume they are an improvement.
I can’t speak about any of the other Lake models but I have to assume they are an improvement.
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I've been riding cheap Lakes for years. First as Performance house brand shoes, then under the Lake name. All with plastic soles. My feet love the fit. They hold up really well. First thing to go is the straps. Velcro wears out like Velco does. I sew in new Velcro and keep riding them. 10 years in all weather is completely the norm.
I like to ride toes down. All the time, sitting or standing. Any shoe that's going to work has to pass a simple test. Can I stand ballet point style on them with comfortable feet? Or are my feet going to slide forward and toes jam in the toe box. Lakes pass that test with flying colors. Now, straps give me problems, especially riding hills on my fix gears, There is usually a single contact point of the main strap on a bone in my foot. Pulling fix gear hard up to climb steep hills leads to a feeling not all that different from broken bone. Find myself loosening my straps at stops (impossible to do riding on fix gears!) That leads to blisters and jammed toes and toe infections. I love fix gears too much to quit so I cut the straps of those Lakes and installed laces. Instant heaven! My geared bike Lakes got the same treatment.
Went to the Lake site the other day and now the cheap Lakes come with laces! Now very high quality shoes for a very reasonable price and the best fastening system out there. My next pair. (But it might be a while. All my current pairs are doing just fine.
Ben
I like to ride toes down. All the time, sitting or standing. Any shoe that's going to work has to pass a simple test. Can I stand ballet point style on them with comfortable feet? Or are my feet going to slide forward and toes jam in the toe box. Lakes pass that test with flying colors. Now, straps give me problems, especially riding hills on my fix gears, There is usually a single contact point of the main strap on a bone in my foot. Pulling fix gear hard up to climb steep hills leads to a feeling not all that different from broken bone. Find myself loosening my straps at stops (impossible to do riding on fix gears!) That leads to blisters and jammed toes and toe infections. I love fix gears too much to quit so I cut the straps of those Lakes and installed laces. Instant heaven! My geared bike Lakes got the same treatment.
Went to the Lake site the other day and now the cheap Lakes come with laces! Now very high quality shoes for a very reasonable price and the best fastening system out there. My next pair. (But it might be a while. All my current pairs are doing just fine.
Ben
Last edited by 79pmooney; 02-17-20 at 01:49 AM. Reason: typo
#13
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I have the Lake 175s from years ago and one of the BOA adjusters broke - they are covered with a lifetime warranty from BOA, that was easy to fix. I was only using those shoes on my indoor trainer, breaking them in until my Northwave road shoes died, but the NW ones keep lasting so the Lakes stayed in the basement for a couple of years.
Then, the BOA on the other shoe broke - at the shoe, where the BOA adjuster is attached. That isn't covered by BOA, Lake said the shoe was out of any warranty (it was over 2 years old) so I had brand new looking shoes but no way to tighten one of them! Made me not go to Lake when it was time to finally really replace the NWs.
Then, the BOA on the other shoe broke - at the shoe, where the BOA adjuster is attached. That isn't covered by BOA, Lake said the shoe was out of any warranty (it was over 2 years old) so I had brand new looking shoes but no way to tighten one of them! Made me not go to Lake when it was time to finally really replace the NWs.
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I've been using a pair of CX-332's for a couple years now. Super comfortable, stiff and well made. I upgraded to the moldable carbon insert as well.
#15
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I like to ride toes down. All the time, sitting or standing. Any shoe that's going to work has to pass a simple test. Can I stand ballet point style on them with comfortable feet? Or are my feet going to slide forward and toes jam in the toe box. Lakes pass that test with flying colors.
Ben
Ben
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I have had a pair in the past and they were okay. No real bells and whistles like other brands, just a decent road show. That said, the model you are looking at seem to be one of their top end models. I had a cheaper model that were okay. I currently use a Vittoria riding shoe......not even sure of the model as I do not dwell too much on that rather than fit and comfort. It is however a nice pair that ratchets (micro-click) for precise tension.
#17
Meet me at spin class!!!!
I have 2 pairs, going on 9 years now. AND I ride 3 times a week!
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Circling back to this - did the CX237 used to be more expensive? I'm seeing them at $199. I gather that they've been superceded by the 238, but I'm not clear on whether the 237 are on closeout and going away shortly or whether both models will continue side by side for a while.
#19
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Circling back to this - did the CX237 used to be more expensive? I'm seeing them at $199. I gather that they've been superceded by the 238, but I'm not clear on whether the 237 are on closeout and going away shortly or whether both models will continue side by side for a while.
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#20
Meet me at spin class!!!!
I got my first pair of cycling shoes from Ben's Cycle on ebay, for $5. I assume they were a past season but they work for me !!!