Submitted by
CDA MTBer
a Weekend Warrior
from CDA, ID USA Date Reviewed: July 4, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Many....hmmm
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$69.00
Purchased At:
Wheel Sport
Strengths:
light weight, stiff, good protection, durability, good traction on all types of surface from mud to rock.
Weaknesses:
Ridicously Way over priced! MSRP is a complete rip off. Specialized and every other manufacture out there needs to get in touch with reality on pricing from clothing, parts and bikes the prices just flat out suck.
Similar Products Used:
Other specialized shoes, shimano shoes, cheap Nashbar shoes, SIDI shoes
Bike Setup:
set up to ride fast up and downhill.
Bottom Line:
other than the price these shoes rock! They have held up to abuse for over one year and show none of the previously mentioned problems. If you can get these shoes at a blow out sale I would highly recommend buying them which is why I am only giving them 4 flamin chilis.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
string
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX Date Reviewed: April 8, 2009
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Spec
Strengths:
Light, good traction when off the bike and not clipped in
Weaknesses:
Downside to good traction is the soft rubber sole does not last. Lost the 1st lug with in a month of use and have lost several more over the years. Shoe Goo helped extend the life of these shoes
Similar Products Used:
Sidi Dominators
Bike Setup:
Knolly Delirium T
Bottom Line:
Decent fit, I really like the grip of the rubber used, but it comes at a significant cost in durability. The tread tears off at the base and I do not spend much time on rocky terrain.
If they were half the price or lasted longer would give 5 chili's, but since I have been repeatedly gluing the tread back to the sole I am less than impressed.
Spec' is on the right tract with this shoe, just not there yet.
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Submitted by
Pin
a Weekend Warrior
from Cambridge Date Reviewed: September 19, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Peak District Hope to Ladybower
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
Evans Cycle Warehous
Strengths:
Warm (I'm a girl!),almost waterproof, really comfy even first ride
Weaknesses:
Bit of wear on the rubber, maybe I need to get better at riding uphill!
Similar Products Used:
None yet
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Tassajara 07 13" frame, extra long seat post (I'm 5'4") Shimano Deore /LX inc discs
Bottom Line:
Very pleased!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
770nbp
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta Date Reviewed: August 12, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Pinhotti
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
eBAY
Strengths:
LIGHT, STIFF, GOOD FIT FOR NARROW FOOT, GREAT ANKLE SUPPORT, GREAT TO WALK IN BUT I DONT DO THAT OFTEN!
Weaknesses:
NONE SO FAR
Similar Products Used:
SIDI BULLETS AND DOMINATORS
Bike Setup:
XC/AM
Bottom Line:
AWESOME SHOES.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
latoks
a Weekend Warrior
from uk Date Reviewed: July 28, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
Evans cycles
Strengths:
light,comfortable,stiff,ankle protection
Weaknesses:
The sole is made from putty!After 1 week in the Pyrenees there was nothing left of the sole,it had totally disintergrated.Stitching had come away,not tough enough to be called a trail shoe.
Similar Products Used:
North wave,Shimano
Bike Setup:
07 heckler
Bottom Line:
Shoes have been sent back to Specialized,awaiting verdict.A very comfortable shoe but not up to the job.Have had a pair of North Wave shoes for 5 years which are in a better condition.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
biker man
a Weekend Warrior
from CDA, ID, USA Date Reviewed: June 26, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Any trail with dirt and single track
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
wheel sports
Strengths:
light, solid sole with fact carbon, well made, fits to size, 4 strap velco adjustability, ankle protection, sticky rubber tread
Weaknesses:
Retail price is rediculous. I was lucky and bought these on a inventory liquidation sale and got them for a screaming deal.
Similar Products Used:
other specialized shoes and shimano shoes
Bike Setup:
Stumpjumper FSR, xtr drive train, chris king headset, chris king hubs, dt swiss rims, shimano peddles, fox suspension front and back, Juicy carbon hydraulic brakes
Bottom Line:
I have enjoyed the shoes so far. They fit great and are extremely stiff when peddling. Mud and water don't seem to affect there performance. Hike a bike sections are good as the tread grips most surfaces well and there is little heel lift. If you can find these bad boys on sale I would highly recommend them. The only shoe lighter listed in the 2008 catalog is the s-works. But $200+ bones for a biking shoe....give us a break Specialized. I would give this shoe 5 flamin chilis but the price is crazy so I gave it an overall 4
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
wade holiday
a
from truckee, CA Date Reviewed: October 28, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$190.00
Purchased At:
bike emporium
Strengths:
light, stiff, great protection
Similar Products Used:
10 yrs on sidi dominator
Bottom Line:
after the velcro finally gave way on my sidis, I really wanted a 3/4 shoe. I liked the look of this one as it was had the protection and stabilty that I wanted in a light shoe. I have not been disappointed, they are great. Walking and quick dismounts are more secure and the toe protection is also great. they aren't the glovelike fit of sidi, but i'm already bonding w/ the fit and appreciate the other things they bring to the table.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joshua Easterling
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs Date Reviewed: June 12, 2007
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$160.00
Purchased At:
bycicle village
Strengths:
Very firm sole and extra support and protection. Very durable, thought they would die but keep on kicking only wear in the sole.
Weaknesses:
A little bit warmer (strength and weakness) But never unbearable
Bike Setup:
Chumba xcl, Santa cruz nomad
Bottom Line:
These shoes are awsome.Yes they are exspensive, but if I remember right they are hand made. Looking forward to another pair, rock solid. The body geometry aligning foot beds are comfy and do contribute to more efficiency and less fatigue. I have been hard on them and they feel the same a year later, wished they smelled that way too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kosmo
a Cross Country Rider
from Maine Date Reviewed: June 7, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Fit, Stiffness, Rubber lugs, no Buckle, Lightweight, Support and protection
Weaknesses:
Too early to tell but, they might get hot in very warm weather. Color choices.
Similar Products Used:
Sidi, Shimano, Lakes
Bike Setup:
Turner Flux w/ m970s
Bottom Line:
These are the first shoes, actually boots, I've had without buckles in a long time. For now the four velcro straps are really secure, we'll see over time how they hold up. Yes this is an early review so take it for what it is, an impression of how these boots perform without looking down the road too far. Although this is my third pair of specialized shoes and was very happy with the other two. First of all they have a carbon sole that is very stiff and transfers power instantly to the pedals. The umma gumma lugs are noticably softer than my other shoes. More like hiking boots like I used to wear before there were clipless pedals for MTBs. I wish there were more choices of high performance boots out there. If you ride challenging terrain there are times when you have to get off and hike. These boots are alot more stable than the shoes that have a racing pedigree. I tried on the new BG Carbon Pro(nice shoes) at the same time. They both fit equally as well, and should, they share the same last. These boots probably aren't for everyone, but if your looking for performance, comfort, and stability in a shoe than get them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tim gaylord
a Cross Country Rider
from redondo beach CA usa Date Reviewed: February 28, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Tunnel
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$185.00
Purchased At:
Path
Strengths:
Great comfort for mt foot. Incredible support on the bike and pretty comfortable off the bike. STIFF carbon sole does a great job.
Weaknesses:
The rubber outer sole comes off from the carbon midsole in large chucks.
Similar Products Used:
Sidi, old specialized black and red shoes
Bike Setup:
Ibis silk ti, spec enduro, VP free
Bottom Line:
I used the shoes for all of the different types of riding that I do. They are super comfortable and the stiffness makes my sidis seem soft. They transfer more power to the pedal and they are light and the rubber sole is sticky when walking. And therein lies the rub: the rubber sole is too soft and/or it can't hold the carbon sole well enough. When I first lost a chunk of rubber from the heel, I figured it was just a fluke. Later, more came off until I returned the shoes for a new pair. I mean, 200 dollars for a pair of shoes, they had better hold up. On the NEXT ride, my freehub blew up and I was forced to walk uphill for maybe 100 yards. It felt like the shoe was slipping a bit, so when I got back to the car, I checked the soles. Sure enough, a chunk was missing, this time from the toe. We'll see if specialized has a solution for me...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
stripes
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, California Date Reviewed: September 26, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Tsali, China Camp, Saratoga Gap
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Excellent shoe. I love the way the Specialized BG shoes fit my pronating feet. Very little break-in time needed (only a couple of rides). Extremely good power transfer.
These shoes are great for SPDs, even with the 647s. I thought I would need to cut away some of the sole, but it wasn't necessary.
Weaknesses:
Price, but hey, you get what you pay for.
Similar Products Used:
Older BG Specialized shoes, various Shimano shoes that don't fit my feet right.
Bike Setup:
I don't think it really matters, but here is the important part: Shimano PD-647s. The rest of it is blue and goes fast :-)
Bottom Line:
Other than being on the expensive side, these shoes are excellent if they fit your foot and you pronate. I'll be putting them away for the winter though while I give the platform pedals a try. I do expect to go back to clipless though because I can really feel the power transfer with these shoes and pedal combo.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kodiak
a Cross Country Rider
from Germany Date Reviewed: August 5, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$220.00
Purchased At:
Bike Store, Germany
Strengths:
No (real) weaknesses great fit, very comfy, walkable, protective, very light, stable, breatheable... available in size 48 (which i have to use)
Weaknesses:
lack of Color choices, specializeds' best shoes deserve a little more color than a simple grey...
Similar Products Used:
Shimano / Specialized
Bike Setup:
XC High End
Bottom Line:
The BEST shoes you can get, even for 180 euros... ...if you like your heels being protected... ...and even if you don't you will like them...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Thomas Gonzalez
a Cross Country Rider
from NYC, NY, USA Date Reviewed: July 29, 2006
Favorite Trail:
all of them!!
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Very lightweight and supportive shoe. Really hugs your feet and gives a good power transfer to the pedals. Easy to walk in.
Weaknesses:
They cut into your instep a bit if you cinch them too tight. Allow yourself just a bit of room to flex forward.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
2006 Trek EX9
Bottom Line:
Great shoe!!! For a "boot", very light and extremely supportive. Little break-in was required and they feel great both on and off the bike. Just don't cinch the top strap very tight so you can flex forward and this shoe will meet all your biking needs plus protect your ankles from the trail. Insoles are great with no "hotspots".
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
B Z
a Cross Country Rider
from Japan Date Reviewed: April 5, 2006
Bought these with my new bike. Great feel and power transfer to the pedal. Lighter than I thought they would be. Far exceeds the 661 shoes I have been wearing. Very walkable, and great in the mud. These came with mountable set of studs for the front of the toe on each shoe, with a supplied wrench. Clean up easy, and breathe well. Just wish they came in black. Great shoe with great protection.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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