Submitted by
Dycker
a Cross Country Rider
from Sylvan Lake, Alberta Date Reviewed: August 21, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Bow80
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Cafe
Strengths:
great everyday looking shoe, great for hiking, seems stiff enough for long rides
Weaknesses:
Shoes are built like crap! After the second ride the fabric on the sides of the shoes had ripped, the rip is not considered a manufacters defect so warranty was not available so I repaired with some glue. After day 2 of a 3 day race, the rubber sole had a 3 inch tear which I could fit 3 fingers through into the shoe
Bike Setup:
2008 Stumpy Expert
Bottom Line:
This is a great shoe for casual riding but when it comes to cross country epics ... STAY AWAY!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Waterat Pat
a Cross Country Rider
from MorganHill CA USA Date Reviewed: June 4, 2009
Favorite Trail:
All of 'Em
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Trailhead
Strengths:
Super Comfortable decent weight excellent for hike a bike action as the sole actually flexes
Weaknesses:
Did not last sole cracked at the cleat.
Similar Products Used:
Old specialized Rockhoppers that I am now using again.
Bike Setup:
Blur LT Fox all around 650B up front.
Bottom Line:
Just wished they had lasted as I liked them. To add insult to injury I pitched em in disgust and later found out that Specialized knows about this defect and will give you a new pair if you bring them back broken.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
slobikerat
a Weekend Warrior
from san luis obispo, ca, usa Date Reviewed: June 3, 2009
Favorite Trail:
anywhere my cross bike takes me
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$55.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
Durable, comfortable, walkable, hikeable, look good, good cafe shoes
Weaknesses:
hard to clean, laces frayed quickly
Bike Setup:
Kona jake the snake, full ultegra, 40C Marathon tires, crank brothers candy's
Bottom Line:
I really like these shoes. I ride to school, commute, ride fire roads, some moderate single track, a little XC and some cyclocross with these and they have held up to everything very well. Not the stiffest shoe by any means but man are they comfortable. They dont click when walking around in them (crank brothers cleats installed), look pretty sharp under a pair of decent jeans when going to the coffee shop, and dont look super goofy when wearing shorts. If you are a "strictly for fun" type of rider or a commuter these shoes fit the bill. Mine probably have close to 2k miles and they are going strong, i expect to get another 2k out of them. Mine came with garbage laces but that was quickly fixed. I liked that i did not have to trim the soles on these! Solid recreational shoe!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
92gli
a Weekend Warrior
from west chester,pa Date Reviewed: May 28, 2009
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$75.00
Strengths:
Comfy to walk in.
Weaknesses:
Heavy. Not suited for serious riding. Sole flex will kill your feet on a serious ride.
Bottom Line:
These shoes are great for what they are - a casual shoe to wear when you're riding your bike over to a friends house for beers or going to class at school.
I made the mistake of wearing these on a 3 hour ride because my other shoes were in my wife's trunk. My feet were killing me. I suppose if you used these with a pedal that has a large body that could support your foot then it would be ok - but not with the shim. 540's I use.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mr. Dirt
a Cross Country Rider
from Roseville, MN Date Reviewed: May 12, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Lebanon Hills
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Eriks Bike Shop
Strengths:
Great fit and very comfortable from day one.
Weaknesses:
The loops for the laces have failed on two pairs in a row. Along with the leather coming undone on the heal of the right shoe.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Prophet 1000 with Crankbrothers Mallets.
Bottom Line:
I wish they would just hold up better because the fit and comfort even when riding all day it great. I am going to return this second pair and upgrade or something.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
natertots_cc
a Cross Country Rider
from Juda, WI Date Reviewed: March 31, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Joes ridge
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Eriks Bike shop
Strengths:
Easy walking in, reasonably light.
Weaknesses:
For narly trails, not enough grip on the bottom, and not too good in sloppy mud!
Similar Products Used:
Other specialized shoes!
Bottom Line:
They are an awesome shoe. I used them in Colorado and they were really durable with the rocks and stuff. but when i got back to Wisconsin they were not too good in the mud! But they have a nice to flex feature so they are easier to walk in but yet deliver a pretty decent stiff sloe for the money! Recommend these to anybody who does not plan on riding in A LOT of mud!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
abenz1980
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden,co Date Reviewed: January 22, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Apex park
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Big Shark Bikes Stl,
Strengths:
Amazing durability, breathable, looks good on off bike,
These shoes are absolutely amazing, they have held up after 3.5 yrs of CONSTANT use. I mountain bike in these every weekend, road bike in them,use these for commuting to work daily, gotten completely soaked on multiple rides and still are in excellent shape. I am looking for another pair of these currently, and a little disappointed that the same color scheme isnt available. ( I have the hiker brown). These are also really comfy to walk around town in, all day.
I cant say it enough, I love these shoes.
I have never been disappointed with anything I have ever owned with the word SPECIALIZED on them!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Allan H
a Weekend Warrior
from United Kingdom Date Reviewed: January 6, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Yorks Moors/Dales
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Sheffield
Strengths:
Good power transfer for a semi rigid sole, excellent for walking/hiking. Tie up fine and a good fit.
Weaknesses:
Could do with toe spike option. The leather is starting to go hard on the outside/strap.
Similar Products Used:
Shimanos
Bike Setup:
SC BLT 2007, talas 140s, full xtr, carbon easton, hope pro 3, juicy carbons and Kenda nevegal 2.1
Bottom Line:
I think that they are worth every penny and offer the usual value for money as most specialized clothing does.
They are great for all day riding and I have used them through a wet and dirty british winter and 2 summers even worse than the winters. They wash up and scrub up fine. even though the leather is getting hard on the outside, the inner is fine. I think that they have got another year left in them. I have been looking for a new pair of shoes with stiffer soles but cannot find anything that looks half as durable for all day riding. Maybe I should stick with spesh!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Saxon9598
a Weekend Warrior
from Honolulu Hawaii Date Reviewed: November 6, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Maunawili
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
The biggest strength would have to be versatility and value, it doesn't do anything extraordinarily well but its consistently effective across the board at a modest price.
Weaknesses:
Color selection, for a cleat that can be worn on the bike,in class, to work and to the store, the color choices are to limited.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, Sete Enduro
Bike Setup:
Commuter Trek FX, trail Jamis Parker
Bottom Line:
I have had these for over a year and a half now, all i can say is that I love them, they are not racing cleats, they do what they are designed to do very well, I use them on XC trails and on my commuter, I use them to ride around town. you can clip in get to where you are going clip out walk around with no drama. Off road they offer good traction for when you have to walk the bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
xxltall
a Weekend Warrior
from Fredericksburg, VA Date Reviewed: October 3, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$89.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Comfort, walking, warm for colder rides, going to work.
Weaknesses:
Durability, not the most efficient peddling, having fun on the trail.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano SH-MT31 and Peal Izumi X-Alp
Bike Setup:
Trek 8000 with Shimano XT pedals
Bottom Line:
They are good to ride to work, they are really bad on any sort of off-road trail. The sole started to rip off after about 6 months. The guy at the bike shop said I should expect that for such a casual shoe on a mountain bike trail. Whatever the Shimano "casual" shoes lasted years doing the same thing. After the Specialized I bought Peal Izuma X-Apls from different LBS and they appear much better after a hand full of rides.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Serjo
a Cross Country Rider
from Moscow Date Reviewed: May 12, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$110.00
Purchased At:
velo.ru
Strengths:
Exclusive comfortable for my wide foot, first weared don't want to get off! Well breath Gets wet not in the moment (can walking on puddle or in not the strong rain) Solid construction, armored toe and heavy outer leather Comfortable for tourism - hiking and walking without bike :)
Weaknesses:
Peeled off a part of rubber cover near the contact area - I hope it is not critical and I could recover it, but wet mud get in the hole.
Bike Setup:
ATOM 660
Bottom Line:
Fine - it is really shoes I looked for tourism. It suitably passed really strong 10 days trip with rain, snow, mod, rocks and walking in city. Fine!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
smiling jack
a Weekend Warrior
from suffolk county. ny Date Reviewed: January 24, 2008
Favorite Trail:
cathedral pines
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
good fit, comfort, well made.
Weaknesses:
none yet.
Similar Products Used:
lake mx something or other, sidi bullet.
Bike Setup:
jamis dakar xc comp, specialized stumpjumper hardtail, both stock.
Bottom Line:
very nice shoe in all respects, much better value than my sidi's. also very comfortable to walk in.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
pyrobob
a Cross Country Rider
from Florida Date Reviewed: January 19, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Trailhead Bicycle Company
Strengths:
Versatile, flexible.
Weaknesses:
non so far.
Similar Products Used:
first pair of clipless shoes
Bottom Line:
I love this shoe. I use it both for clipless & platform pedals when needed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Griffin
a Cross Country Rider
from London Date Reviewed: October 16, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Surrey Hills
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Comfortable, good-looking and affordable, cool, breathable.
Weaknesses:
Not very durable. Cold in winter, but that's not what they're made for.
Similar Products Used:
None.
Bike Setup:
Orange Five Pro XT 2006 with Crank Bros Eggbeater pedals.
Bottom Line:
I used them for 13 months, average of one or two rides per week, general cross-country and a few races. They were very comfortable. The soles are grippy, with quite a lot of flex, so they're very good for walking in and for the hike-a-bike sections, but some people might feel the power transfer suffers as a result. I didn't really notice, but I'm not used to rigid soles so I can't compare. After 13 months, the sole started to split around the cleat plate, so it's game over. That's not very durable for the moderate use I've given them, but they were good while they lasted.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Lincoln Date Reviewed: July 11, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Scheels, Lincoln, Ne
Strengths:
Good quality. Will fit riders with wider feet like myself. Ability to do some hike and bike.
Weaknesses:
The laces can be a bit of a pain.
Similar Products Used:
Old Diadora shoes that were way too narrow.
Bike Setup:
Redline MC29er, with various bits replaced. Time ATAC clipless.
Bottom Line:
These are great shoes for what they are intended to do. They are good for hike and bike on the trail. They are good for the around town commutes. They are good for weekly group rides. I estimate that I have ridden at least a few thousand miles on these shoes and I am a pretty satisfied customer. These are NOT racing shoes. But, as of now, I don't race, so that doesn't matter to me. The local bike cops use these shoes and report that they work well for them. But, like I said before...you must take this review in the context of what these shoes are supposed to be. If I was a serious racer then I would probably have something much more expensive and high tech. But, since I am a weekend warrior that is just having fun right now the shoes have worked well for me. Even if I do end up doing some racing in the future and decide to get some high end super rigid shoes, I will keep these around for the daily grind!!! Note that I bought some nice inserts for these shoes due to the fact that I have high arches as well. I did NOT buy the Specialized inserts though and I have had no real problems.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Benjamin
a
from Calgary AB Canada Date Reviewed: May 19, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
River Valley Cycle
Strengths:
Scored them free with a new bike purchase. Even if I had to pay for them though they're one of the best deals out there. I love the simple lace with velcro to keep them down. I've fitted them loose when zipping around the city and tight for the trails, consistant performance.
Weaknesses:
My feet go numb after a half hour.. I'm going to slide the cleat back a half inch off the ball of my foot and see if that helps. Happens with all the shoes I've tried though.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano something...
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain Element 30... Time ATAC clipless
Bottom Line:
I love the looks, I love the fit, I love the performance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy Bryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Black Hawk, SD Date Reviewed: April 7, 2007
Favorite Trail:
anywhere
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Two Wheeler Dealer
Strengths:
Very comfortable, I'm impressed with the Body Geometry stuff! They felt a bit wierd at first but on the bike they're great. They're comfortable to walk around and don't "look" like dorky bike shoes!
Weaknesses:
They're a tad bit flexy but then again they're not designed to be a racing shoe.
Similar Products Used:
First attempt at a clipless shoe
Bike Setup:
Specialized Hardrock (2000) w/Truvativ 3.3 Team cranks, Avid SD5 brakes and levers, XO rear derailleur, XO carbon trigger shifters, XT Cassette, PC-991 chain, Mavic wheels with Deore hubs, SPD 540 pedals, Specialized Fast Trak Pro tires.
Bottom Line:
What's to say? I like 'em quite a bit. They're comfortable, easy to walk in, easy to ride in and look decent. My SH-51 cleats hit the concrete when I walk on the sidewalk but not too bad, I guess that's to be expected.
As I mentioned earlier this is my first clipless shoe but I like them. I can see how the high end shoes are lighter and stiffer but these aren't a high end race shoe. Unless your rent payment is dependant on how fast you ride these shoes will do what you need them to do and your feet won't hurt at the end of the day either. Comfortable to walk in, comfortable to ride in at an affordable price. 5 peppers each!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tf5598
a Weekend Warrior
from Tx Date Reviewed: February 3, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Planet Bike
Strengths:
Comfortable while riding. Right stiffness in the soles. Good for short walks while carrying the machine. OK price.
Weaknesses:
Although necessary, heels are stiff. Makes a bit of discomfort if you have to walk any kind of distance. Still breaking these in though.
Similar Products Used:
old school--low-top hiking shoes
Bottom Line:
I like these shoes... Over the years, I've become quite finicky on the fit of my shoes (I have wide feet and I can't stand shoes that have peculiarities). I tried on a bunch of shoes and these were quite comfortable for me out of the box. I've ridden them for a few hours now, and am really liking them. I like the lace/velcro tie up system, and they look decent. These aren't racers, but they are quite versatile and I can see buying a new pair if these ever wear out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alonso Castro
a Weekend Warrior
from San José, Costa Rica Date Reviewed: September 22, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$85.00
Purchased At:
Güilly, local bike shop in Santa Ana
Strengths:
Good traction for walking up or down a trail, although not the best out there. Water drains rather quickly (say, after walking through a creek), but they stay a little soggy. Very attractive (in black/yellow at least, the ones I own). Reflective materials help out in low light conditions. Tough material covering the toes is excellent against sticks and other trail hazzards.
Weaknesses:
When undone, the velcro catches the laces. I can see they will get snagged before too long. A little on the heavy side, compared to others held at the bike shop, but this should not be a concern unless everyting else on you think a few grams is a lot.
Similar Products Used:
First bike shoe owned, after years of wearing sneakers w/ toe clips.
This is a solid MTB shoe for the average joe. Clearly they are not meant for super high intensity competition riding, but then again, they're under $100. The Body Geometry system really makes a difference, giving relief to achy knees after a tough climb. They don't *look* like bike shoes, which to me is a definite plus.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
michael alonzo
a Weekend Warrior
from san antonio Date Reviewed: September 9, 2006
Favorite Trail:
op schnabel
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
planet bike
Strengths:
lace and velcro
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
shimano
Bike Setup:
gary fisher hard tail, xt front and rear, rock shock front, kenda nevegal tires, specialized seat, avid brakes
Bottom Line:
good product for the price. i really like the lace and velcro system. i tried shoes in the past with only velcro and felt that the i could not get the shoes tight enough and it felt that my foot was "floating" in the shoe. The material holds up well and the sole is very durable. The shoe also has enough padding to make it stiff and it is still comfortable to walk in it. like i said for the price you really get a well made shoe that stands up to the wear and tear of mountain biking.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles, CA Date Reviewed: September 5, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
www.specialized.com
Strengths:
Very comfortable fit. Laces are snug while the velcro strap works great keeping them out of the way. I wear a 9.5 and their 43 is a perfect fit.
This is a great comfortable recreational mt. shoe. Treads are fine for some hike-a-bike. After trying several shoes under the $100 range, none seem to have the fit and comfort of the Taho. I tried the Shimano MA-80 and the velcro closures just didn't seem comfortable. Also tried a couple of Adidas lace-up/velcro combos, and they were entirely too narrow. Couldn't find a lower price than $70 so went with their website.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Springville, Utah Date Reviewed: August 29, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Wasatch Crest
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$79.00
Purchased At:
Mad Dog Cycles
Strengths:
Very Comfortable (especially for regular width, narrow heel folks like me).
Weaknesses:
Would be better to toss the laces and go with velcro straps or snow board buckle systems.
Similar Products Used:
First cycling shoe ever. Used to just ride using my Nike Air Jordan's or my Nike running shoes, but cycling broke the shoes down and I began to feel an over-use injury appear where the tendons connect around your ankles and under your heel (especially during hill climbls). So had to get a more serious cycling shoe.
Bike Setup:
2006 Titus Moto-Lite - Marzocchi All Mountain II forks (130-150 mm), Mavic CrossMax Enduro Disc UST rims, Continental Verticle Pro 26x2.1 UST tires, Nokia cabling (for freezing temperatures), Shimano XT drive train and shifters, Bontrager pedals w/clips, Fox RP3 rear shock, Easton Monkey Lite XC Carbon handle bar, Yeti grips, Avid Ball Bearing Disc Brakes (fully mechanical, fluidless system), Thompson seat post, Terry Men's Liberator Gel saddle. 2001 DiamondBack XR1 - Marzocchi Marathon XC forks (80-130 mm), Koski Engineering handle bar, Thompson seat post, Terry Men's Liberator Gel saddle, Fox Float R rear suspension, Shimano XT drive train and shifters, Avid V-breaks, Ritchey OCR Rims, 26x2.1 WTB Velociraptor Race tires, Yeti Grips, Bontrager pedals w/clips.
Bottom Line:
I ride in all 4 seasons here in Utah. During the winter, temperatures along the Wasatch Mountains will drop to 0 routinely. Spring and Fall temperatures here routinely run around 30 - 40 degrees. Many of today's cycling shoes have too much mesh, letting in too much cold air to keep my feet warm. These shoes are not only comfortable, but have the right balance between air holes for circulation and cover to protect your feet from colder temps. My feet don't sweat hardly at all. They kind of run cold as a general rule, but in the summer, in 95 degree heat, I've found that a thin cycling sock works just fine with these shoes. I ride with toe clips on both of my bikes and these shoes work and feel great in them! A 5 for value but Specialized could lose the laces and make the shoe even better. So I'm giving it a 4 overall.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from New York Date Reviewed: April 14, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Specialized.com
Strengths:
I like the comfort of the shoe as far as walking in them. The BODY GEOMETRY insoles are nice. You can feel the difference in the slant of your foot. The pictures make them appear like a normal sneaker, however they are narrow like a cycling shoe. Tread is good especially for unclipping. There is just enough tread to hide the cleat from hitting when walking on hard surfaces.
Weaknesses:
They are a somewhat rigid shoe but cant be compared to a shoe such as SIDI COMP shoes so don't expect to equal them. These are much more comfortable to walk in especially in rocky terrain. Don't really care for laces either but the strap keeps them out of the way.
Bottom Line:
Great shoe for a hike and bike trip, or someone just using them for exercise and enjoyment. This is not a competition shoe.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$ 70.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
