High value, lightweight and durable performance shoe for non-race oriented mountain bike riders. Designed for comfort and long term performance. Patent Pending Body Geometry (TM) Technology increases performance and reduces injury. Available in Black/Navy and Tan/Black.
These shoes are GREAT. With these shoes I have raced 3 seasons of cyclocross, 2 seasons of mountain, a few road races and time trials, toured big miles on gravel roads in New Zealand, trained with a local road club in Switzerland for a summer, been on countless training rides in the pouring rain, gorgeous sun, and snow, and commuted many miles as well. The specialized Body Geometry line seems to live up well to its advertised comfort. The bit of flex makes them great for running in (I often jog in 'em to warm up before 'cross races).
I bought these shoes in early 2002, and will finally retire them at the end of this summer. The soles are starting to crack and the upper is just starting to separate from the sole. My next pair of shoes will be the same model. The three straps (vs 2) in the newer model is probably good. Too bad the new shoes don't have cleats: the old ones did.
If you are racing road cat 1,2,3, you would find these to be too heavy and flexy - but that's not what they're made for anyway. If you are looking for one shoe to do it all, comfortably, and never fail, look no further.
After a year of 3 times a week use, these have died. Doing without the laces, the strap broke, and the laces have now acted as a useful back-up 'til an upgrade is made (Sidi Dominators). However, the fabric upper has gone really soft and squidgy, so they're still comfortable but you do wonder about power transfer. And in use, the straps need continual tightening for the first 30 mins (which explains the strap breaking).
Also, the shoes are heavy when dry (1060 gms size 44) compared to Sidi Rampas at approx. 700 gm, and sometimes I dreaded getting these wet in winter, 'cos then they felt like cold lead. The final(!) annoyance is having to trim the sole to accomodate Time Atacs.
However, you could say that all the above is from having too high an expectation- these are bottom of the range shoes after all. They suit wide feet well and the "body geometry" stuff does seem to work, so they are comfy which is important to a non-racer. But, for a budding racer, there's a chance to take 360 gm rotational weight off 'the bike' with a shoe upgrade...
Submitted by
rapidcarbon
a Cross Country Rider
from Alexandria
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2003
Strengths: Durable, comfortable, cheap. Very good in mud, and dirt trail.
Weaknesses: Not good on rock.
Bottom Line:
Got this pair on sale at Spokes Etc. These are very good shoes for the price I paid. Very comfortable, I can stand, hike or bike all day in these shoes. After 3 months of heavy use, I have noticed the soles start showing little wear. Would recomend these to anybody.
Submitted by
Tigg
a Cross Country Rider
from Upstate, NY
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2003
Strengths: Comfort, comfort, comfort! Relatively still soles, value.
Weaknesses: Limited color selection, nothin else I can think of.
Bottom Line:
I like 'em! I've only had them for about 6 months, but they show no real wear thus far. I've raced in them twice and they've performed great, no problems with cleats during entry or exit. I've got them matched with SPD536's and am very happy. I would recomend these shoes for anyone just making the leap to clipless to the beginning racer. 5 Chilis for value and 4 chilis overall because there is always room for improvement!
Similar Products Used: 5 year old Specialized "El Gato".
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Submitted by
ROFO
a Racer
from Toronto,ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2003
Strengths: Good quality and extremely comfortable!!!
Weaknesses: None so far!!!
Bottom Line:
Great shoe with very good duribilty. No problems so far and i am a hard rider. I think for the money its an extremely good deal. it is comfortable and you could use it for long periouds of time. It is good for hiking as well with good grips on it. If i had to recomened a shoe it would be this one. Its great for beginers and advance riders and u dont have to spend alot of money to get it.
Submitted by
Ian Forrest
a Cross Country Rider
from Laguna Niguel, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2003
Strengths: Cheap, durable, comfortable, stiff. Colors- They aren't bright yellow.
Weaknesses: Colors- They are ugly as sin, I feel like a grandpa.
Bottom Line:
For the money how can you go wrong? But seriously, when are bike companies going to make a decently looking cycling shoe. On one end of the spectrum you have the bright reflector shoe, and at the other end you have...well, these...old man ugly shoes. In the end a cheap shoe that is durable and functional...they get the job done.
Favorite Trail: Wood Canyon and surround So. OC areas
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At: Supergo
Bike Setup: Jamis Dakar Sport
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Submitted by
Grant
a Cross Country Rider
from Macon, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2003
Strengths: Relatively inexpensive. Built for wide feet.
Weaknesses: A little heel slippage when I have to hike it up a steep. A little foot numbness until you figure the cleat position right.
Bottom Line:
These have been my first and only clipless shoes.
I have no complaints really. They are wide enough for my right Fred Flintstone foot but the laces and straps ofer enough adjustment to also fit my left, more skinny foot. I have never washed them, but despite all the mud and abuse they uppers are in really good shape. I am probably going to replace them when they do die with another pair of Specialized shoes. FYI--On the Spec. website, they always have models of one or two years back for really, really cheap, like $20.00 a pair sometimes. Can't beat it.
Bike Setup: 2002 Klein Attitude, XT cranks & derailleur, LX v brakes, thomson stem and seatpost, Formula Xero Savage Wheelset (don't knock 'em)
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Submitted by
Mike Cisek
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake Forest, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2002
Strengths: Very comfortable, Body geometry works well, easy on uphills, stiffer, good grip, etc.
Weaknesses: NONE
Bottom Line:
Inexpensive, very stiff, light weight, good grip, cool colors, body geometry really helps the legs, now easier on uphills, shoe material - triple layered, etc.
Similar Products Used: 2000 Specialized Sport mountain
Bike Setup: 2001 Schwinn Moab disc with Egg Beaters
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Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Durango
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2002
Strengths: Price, durability for the price
Weaknesses: Width - I have skinny girlie feet
Bottom Line:
These were my first pair of clipless shoes. I am writing this review after 2 years of (ab)use. The stitching is still there, the velcro is holding up (lots of mud and washing), the soles are not worn down too bad, and the cleat plates flip around if you break a screw mount off. These things are really durable for the price. They were a tad bit wide for my feet, but pretty much every stock shoe is.
Buy it if: You want to try clipless without breaking the bank, and want to have something that will hold up for a while if you like the clipless thing (you will).
Don't buy it if: Well, the only people who shouldn't buy it won't buy them. They'll buy $200 shoes.
I'll give 'em 4 chillis because you can probably find last years top end shoes for the MSRP. They are good shoes, but not race ready. They do what they are advertised to do.
Favorite Trail: Ummm... the one with the dirt on it....
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: Specialized Comp Mountain, Shimano M320
Bike Setup: Dunno - just got it set up yesterday (New Yeti ASR)
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Submitted by
YR
from Goleta ca
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2002
Strengths: Comfortable, really comfartable. Finally a shoe made wide enough at the toes. Also it looks nice (you don't look like a trafic light with these)
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
Good shoes, I can ware them all day and still feel fine Reasonable walking.
Similar Products Used: GoSport cheap shoes - uncomfortable
Bike Setup: Giant NRS1
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Submitted by
Brian Goldsmith
a Cross Country Rider
from Powder Springs, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2002
Strengths: The comfort level in these shoes is awesome. The Body Geometry stuff really works. Very nice having laces and velcro.
Weaknesses: I only wish that they were more waterproof. The mesh absorbs water. I will probably buy a shoe cover to correct this problem.
Bottom Line:
These shoes would be perfect if they were more waterproof. If you can stand wet feet then these shoes would be perfect for you. The shoes are as comfortable if not more comfortable then my normal tennis shoes. The comfort level is just so great. Great shoe for anyone. I might get some different ones if i start to race though if shoe covers dont work. safe buy if you want to see if clipless is for you or not.