Great tips…thank you! I tried Bonts a few years ago but returned them. I can’t remember why to be honest 
Might be worth another look.
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Shoes are a loser for most IBD’s. They have extraordinarily high inventory carrying costs because it combines a high price with a high SKU count. It makes for a terrible financial model. God forbid there are color options, or wide / narrow options. You will inevitably have the wrong size / color / width than what the consumer wants…or just the wrong brand.
As shops continue to get squeezed more and more by their suppliers on margin, expect to see fewer of them carrying items like shoes and upper-end helmets. It is a model better served by the internet…even with the lack of try-on options.
I’ve hear great things about Lake wide shoes, but they don’t offer much in a 49 Wide. The 48 Wide is too snug and I only have 3-4mm clearance from my toes to the edge of the stock footbed (see the pic).
In case you’re not aware, Lake build their shoes on different shaped lasts. Different models come in significantly different widths - regardless of what they’re labelled as.
This chart can help figuring out which models would be a decent fit.
As a fellow size 48 footed rider, I feel your pain with shops not stocking larger sizes. Luckily I was within range of Bicycle who carry huge stock of Lake shoes in all sizes. If you’re able to get there or somewhere similar I’d strongly recommend it!
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I started looking at the CX 238 because they were on sale Need to look more closely at the other options/lasts. Thanks for the tips!!
I’ve had a very similar experience to you (49 wide, high arch and narrow ankle/heels) and feel your pain. In addition to the comments above I’d add that a few styles are available in 49 wide (CX333 and MX333) but inventory disappears quickly off the website.
I tried the Bont Vaypor G in 49 wide but found the toe box to be incredibly shallow - the tops of my toes were rubbing way too much to be comfortable. The Lake MX333 were way roomier in this regard.
Lastly, regarding the length I’ve had good success with just under 1CM of length beyond the big toe, even on the hottest days and with some hike a bike. I guess it’s one of those things where YMMV, but snug just feels better/more locked in to me.
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Thanks for the tips!! Looks like there’s 1 pair of CX333 in 49W available on the website but $499 is a little steep 
I ordered a pair of CX238 in 50W and they felt pretty good but leave 15cm of room past my toes. I looked at the cleat mounting holes and I don’t think I can get the cleats back far enough on that one.
The search continues 
They were on sale for $400 before Black Friday which was a first. As for the CX 333 this is what the rep told me.
“One model that come to mind that have more structure than the CX302 would be the CX333.….”
“The new 2024 models are updated with our new race last which is updated with longer cleat tracks. You’ll be able to go back 3mm farther with any of the new models.”
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Thanks for sharing that…sounds promising. This might be the goldilocks shoe for me but that price is just Might have to wait out a sale but then I’m rolling the dice if they’ll actually have any in stock.
I triple checked the measurement on my feet and they’re 3mm too wide (115mm vs 112mm) for the CX238 49 regular. Since these are leather, think they would stretch a bit to accomodate or am I asking for trouble?
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I have had it go both ways. Prob not what you want to hear. I have had 3 pairs of CX 302. The first (black) stretched out just fine. Still ride them today. The second pair (white) I could never get the left shoe, my big foot, to do the same. It always gave my little toe problems at around the 40 mile mark. In the trash now. My third pair (white) … so far so good, after 2 months. For stretching I use thick wool woolie boolie socks for a few rides. I just got my CX333’s and have not been to my fitter to set them up. They feel a bit more spacious both in width and length, even though they are built on the same last as the CX302’s
Note: I use G8 insoles.
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Please use extreme caution trying to stretch a cycling shoe with your feet. I tried this with a pair once and ended up with a Tailor’s bunion. After treating it I paid the money for a custom pair of CX 332’s in extra wide and they have been fantastic ( I am a very high mileage rider as well ). Keep in mind that the upper alone is not what you need to be concerned about. The sole must support the entire width of the foot from toe edge to toe edge. If your toe spills over the edge of the sole problems can and do follow. This is where shoe companies mislead the public. Actual wide soles vs high volume which is just a wider upper on the standard width sole. Lake offers true wide widths as does Bont. Sidi is one notable premium brand that in Mega is actually high volume. I had multiple pair of Sidi’s and could never get the right fit. Best of luck.
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Frank, sounds like the Lake CX242 and CX201 are the shoes you need to consider. The latter being a better budget option particularly as it has a carbon sole at that relatively low price. Both available in full sizes up to 50.
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In case anyone else is in a similar position, Lake has a new gravel shoe in 49W!
I found a local-ish store that had the knit Fizik shoes in 48W and they fit great out of the box. Haven’t installed cleats yet.
I’ve been on SPD’s forever for road and gravel, but wanted a stiffer shoe because I can feel my current shoes flex a bit and wondered if that was causing some of my foot pain issues. These new Lake shoes are making me wonder if I should stick with SPD’s but that’s a whole new level of analysis paralysis
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Just wanted to add…I saw a review of those Lake MX30G’s and it was very positive. They kinda look like "Dad sneakers " though which may or may not be a good thing
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You need less length beyond the toes in cycling shoes with rigid soles that don’t bent at the ball of the foot. In normal shoes that bend while walking, the sole gets shorter wrt the foot as the shoe bends at the ball of the foot and that’s when the toes can run into the toe of the shoe. That can’t happen in cycling shoes with rigid soles that don’t bend. You still need some clearance but not as much as normal shoes with flexible soles.
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Yeah, there are a lot of shoes with narrow toe boxes that look very elegant. Problem is that my feet won’t even make it half-way in 
Those Lakes have a more functional design in that I can actually get my feet in more than half-way (as is the case with e. g. all Fizik shoes I have ever tried — I love the design of many Fiziks, but their fit makes them a beautiful object I put on a shelf than on my feet). Likewise, Bonts’ design is also fairly “unique”. I kinda like it, but I can see that it is polarizing.
LAKE seem to be tops of the list when it comes to fitting a wide variety of feet.
I wished for a better color palette without having to go full custom.
I had a pair, still have them, but don’t wear them. I didn’t know how heavy they were until I got into another shoe.
This is the mountain bike version.
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