text: There are so many things I like about these shoes, but there are a couple important aspects that are really bad.<br /><br />The good:<br />The rubber on the outsole is great for walking around, and the closure system is secure, although a little goofy with the backwards strap.  They vent well, too. I have only had them for a couple months, but they seem well made.<br /><br />The bad:<br />These shoes are NOT STIFF.  I've had trouble with toes going numb from my pedals creating a &#34;hot spot&#34; over the cleat.  I've tried 2 different kinds of Crank Bros cleats on candy pedals and egg beaters, and I've tried SPD cleats on some shimano pedals. I also added the crank bros shoe shields in an attempt to add a little stiffness to the cleat area.  I think these shoes should work ok on a large platform clipless like a Crank Bros Mallet, but on a mini-platform like the Candy, the shoe simply doesn't offer enough support.<br /><br />Fit... a 48 regular isn't long enough, and the 49W is too wide.  Does shimano make a 49R? Yes, but they don't sell it in the US market.  I tried the 49W, and it has too much volume for my foot.  In troubleshooting the numb toes, I tried volume reducers and 3 different insoles in an effort to make them feel better.  I've settled on a volume reducer and the factory insole, but there is very little arch support and the heel of the shoe doesn't have a deep enough cup to really lock the back of the foot to the shoe.<br /><br />In the end, I'm going to sell these shoes locally and get something stiffer.  I really wanted to like them, and I wish I could make them work, but the lack of a stiff sole is what is sending them down the road.