Bike Setup: 2005 Specialized Epic,Fox Shox F100X,XTR,Syntace stem,Answer Taper Lite Carbon Bar,Selle Italia SLR, Chris King Headset& Hubs,Mavic XC717 ceramic,Salsa carbon brake booster,Avid Single Digit Ultimate Brake w/ceramic pads,Avid Speed Dial Ultimate Levers, Avid flak jacket&ceramic pads,Ti parts
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Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, CA
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2006
Strengths: Italian shoe magic. They've been making shoes for a long time over there and the fit is impeccable. Lorica material is bulletproof.
Weaknesses: These shoes have seen a slide in quality since the Dominator 1 and Dominator 2 eras. The new $229 price is laughable... There is some fat guy from Sidi on a beach somewhere, smoking a cigar with his buddies and ridiculing our American consumer spending habits. Despite the strengths mentioned above, the buckle design sucks. It comes unscrewed, jams, and after a few technical rides between rocks, logs, and boulders, it breaks- rendering the shoe useless. To add insult to injury, they ding you $20-30 for replacements. Apparently, I wasn't the only one with the problem as I had to wait to get my replacement buckles for over a month because they were sold out. Rep was rude too.
Bottom Line:
I'm not buying another pair of these overpriced, over-hyped pieces of garbage. I'm looking to find a shoe that doesn't have all the buckle riff-raff, and has a simple, velcro three strap design. Carnac, perhaps.
Strengths: Theres no listing for Five Ten's new DH FR shoe!!! Ive used Vans and every other skate/bike shoe for flats and none are better than the FIVE TENS
Weaknesses: NONE
Bottom Line:
get these kicks and stick to your bike no matter what the conditions.
Strengths: Fit. Ratchet closure systems plus two velcro straps gets your feet feeling comfy with any type of socks.
Weaknesses: Sometimes the ratchet closures are a bugger and don't want to release after a ride.
Bottom Line:
You get what you pay for. I've ridden and raced in these shoes in VA and WV (we have a little mud)for two years. Besides the stench, they're still mighty nice to have wrapped around your tooties for a day on the trail. You can get two good seasons out of them easily, even if you ask alot of them. They are the only MTB shoes I've worn for two years of winter training, racing and riding in all types of conditions, and they are still in one piece.
Weaknesses: strectch wearout fast, crappy velcro, These shoes are intended to be riden everyday, I am worn mine out after about a year and a few months of riden
Bottom Line:
Look elsewhere if you intend on riden everyday or there abouts, I have spent alot of time in my SIDI's I wont hate too hard but I think they should have lasted longer than they did. I might get another pair for the bling factor..
Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from Earth
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2004
Strengths: Doesn't look like clown shoes Ratchet mechanism ensures exact fit Wide fit for wide feet
Weaknesses: Doesn't come in half sizes Over-extended tab on inside part of shoe
Bottom Line:
A bit pricey, but at least it comes in wide sizes (4mm wider than normal). I wish it came in a 41.5 because the 42's are just a tad too big while the 41's are a tad too snug. No need to break 'em in, no hotspots from initial ride. And no LOUD colors either. The inside tab of the ratchet mechansim that sticks out toward the cranks stick out too much - it can rub the crank if not properly set. I'm not sure how long the metal springs will last - surely not as long as velcro straps.
Similar Products Used: Carnac Texas (too narrow) Specialized whatchamacallits
Bike Setup: Yeti A.R.C. Tommasini Sintesi
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Submitted by
Gautam Bose
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2004
Strengths: Very Light, very soft -- feels like no shoes at all! seems solid, though too new to judge. My old Lake MX-80s (and admittedly, this is a totally unfair comparison, between $60 list and $206)feel heavy and clunky by comparison.
Weaknesses: Price. I wouldn't pay full list price.
Bottom Line:
Great value if you can get them (about $100) below list. I wouldn't pay list, though some very serious cyclists probably would.
V. nice if you can afford them (or get them cheap, as I did :-)
Similar Products Used: Lake MX80, Nashbar Shadow (road) shoes
Bike Setup: Trek 6500, standard, w/Specialized sport sapple.
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Submitted by
Kerimo
a Cross Country Rider
from Oslo, Norway
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2004
Strengths: Fits perfectly, doesn't widen when wet, great looks, you forget you have shoes on your feet - they're THAT comfortable!
Weaknesses: Wear on carbon bottomplate when walkin long distances... Just avoid walkin too much. But not really a weakness. Expensive.
Bottom Line:
They are not THAT mega. Fits a large(wide) foot perfectly. Great shoes! Wouldn't use anything else! I give them 5 chilis. Even though they are expensive, they are IMO worth every penny.
Similar Products Used: Shimano M-221 (or whatever the name was...).
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Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from East Coast
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2004
Strengths: They fit my wide feet. Buckle system works well to fine tune fit.
Weaknesses: Outboard front side lorica is WAY too thin and soft. It tears very easily !
Bottom Line:
These are great fitting and well made shoes but the lorica uppers are very fragile and will easily tear if you happen to scuff your foot against a rock. Your results may vary but I don't see them lasting me very long. SIDI ought to beef up the front sides of these shoes to offer more protection against tears. A toe bumber might be nice feature to have as well.
Submitted by
Chas
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, Ga
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2004
Strengths: fit ( made on a very wide last ) comfort ( very well made and therefore fit without any hot spots ) looks ( they are black; they don't look like a color blind clowns circus shoe....like some other brands out there )
Weaknesses: cost, cost , cost
Bottom Line:
Finally shoes for my 13ee feet. I have Sidi Storms (winter shoe/boots) made with the regular last. They are very uncomfortable; my feet start hurting 20 - 30 minutes into each ride. With the megas I can ride all day without any foot pain.
I understand that they last forever...we'll see. Only four chilis because they cost to much. But if ya have really wide flipper like feet pay the money and ride in comfort.
Submitted by
Phil
a Cross Country Rider
from USA NC
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2004
Strengths: uh they look cool and are comfortable
Weaknesses: velcro sucks, i bust the cleat thru the sole
Bottom Line:
garbage they (veltec sports the SIDI distributor) wanted to charge me 25$ an hour to replace the velcro that didnt last. I dont know why they wouldnt stand behind the shoes. I know a number of people with these shoes that have no problems. i will never buy another pair of Sidi's they are crap
Similar Products Used: nike and specialized gonna get anouhter pair of specialize
Bike Setup: XC, S-Works hardtail and Klein attitude race
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Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Warroad,MN
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2003
Strengths: Durability,Adjustability,comfort,fit
Weaknesses: price,hard soles
Bottom Line:
These shoes are great,I'd owned a pair of Sidi road shoes before and loved the fit,so I didn't hesitate to order these Sidis for off road.I wish other manufacturers would learn from Sidi and offer more sizing options for those of us with big feet.(mine are 14ee)I wear a size 50 mega and have worn them for three years now without a complaint.They've been through mud,snow,water and no problems.The soles don't grip hard surfaces is the only problem,but one I can live with.
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2003
Strengths: The best shoe around if you have a wide fit. They fit like a glove.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I commute daily in these in Portland and I don't know why I waited so long to buy good shoes. They will fit wide feet and are worth the price. I anticipate they will last at least two years as a daily commuter...
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Crystal Lake IL
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2003
Strengths: Great construction,great looks, and great Fit for anybody with wide feet.I have EEEE width feet
Weaknesses: Takes some playing around to get the ratchet set, not really a weakness.
Bottom Line:
I did`nt have to use these long to know that these shoes are great.I could tell the moment I put them on. I actually just bought these last week and entered a 12 hour race in Wisconsin the next day.Riding most of the day, I gave these shoes a great test right out of the box. For the first time in my 10 years of riding Mountain Bikes, my feet felt comfortable.My only regret is that I did`nt buy these sooner. Don`t mess around you wide feet wonders, buy these shoes and you love them. Great fit, great construction.
