Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2005
Strengths: Better then using running shoes with platform pedals. Dual velcro, roomier then Euro makers, colour, price, hled up well to a little mud and a 10min rain soaking (as in no damage to suede) and great for cold winter rides with thicker socks on.
Weaknesses: In hot summer months with thin socks on it feels a little wide on my feet, not 3 velcro straps (but it's enrty level), no toe spikes (El Gato - "the cat" needs teeth, no?).
Bottom Line:
For the first set of clipless shoes ever they are great. The price was a bit steep at $100/CAN in 1997. But as I wanted to upgrade my stock pedals on my 1996 GT Ricochet (platform with cage and straps) to clipless and the mtb magazine ads for Airwalks were in a green colour (and I really liked them but could not afford)I got these. The width is great for thicker socks on cold weather rides. A bit wide for hot summer rides. Plenty of toe space, no heel cup, pity. Wide velcro straps in excellent condition today. Held up great in a little mud and after being caught out in a "freak" 10 min rain. Wish they came with "El Gato fangs/toe spikes". Luckily I walk over very little painted/coated cement or concrete surfaces in the buildings I live in, but I have had a few minor slips on stairs. Bottom Line: A great "entry level" clipless shoe.
Weaknesses: I have no excuse to talk my wife into me getting a new pair.
Bottom Line:
I've had these shoes a long time! Stress on that long time portion. I've never had any kind of footwear last this long. I've been through countless creeks, sank into mud, you name it, these shoes have done it. The funny thing is, they still work and feel great! I highly recommend these shoes to anyone. Why spend more if you don't have to?
Bike Setup: Fisher Level Betty, Marzocchi Z1 CR, XTR, Race Face, blah, blah... what's this have to do with the shoes?
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
John G
a Cross Country Rider
from Greensburg
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2000
Strengths: Good price. Look good. Mine are a subdued Grey, Black w/Red S. They seem to be lasting. No bad wear.
Weaknesses: Didn't fit quite out of the box. But, with a couple inserts, they are truly sweet. Bottom of my foot gets wet quite easily.
Bottom Line:
I got my shoes from Nashbar with a set of Nashbar pedals for under $60 (to my door). If you are new to going clipless, look at this shoe from Nashbar & get their pedals too.
I have ridden about 500 miles offroad in these things. I have raced in them several times. No problems. Great bargain. (And you don't get arrested for wearing clown shoes.)
Similar Products Used: n/a. First set of clipless.
Bike Setup: 98 Trek 920 (steel is real), 98 Manitou SX-R, Nashbar pedals.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
DaWobbler
a Downhiller
from Santa Rosa, CA
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2000
Strengths: This is soooo simple..
Attaches feet to pedal Forget about feet
Weaknesses: Wife wont let me wear em while we're doing it.
Bottom Line:
Simply put, these shoes are an exceptional VALUE, note the value word. No, they dont have a heel cup, yes, the cleat area is slick (Buy a set of Times and/or stop missing the clip), yes there are stiffer soles available for substantially more money No, you can not run on asphalt in them, they are not track shoes and Yes they have that funny little metal thingy that refuses to grip on concrete. Gosh they only lasted Two seasons?!?!? Please.... These shoes work, period, you put them on, you ride, and then you throw them in the back of the truck. They fit well, even wide feet or big sock people, they last forever, want em tight? Yank on the laces. Want em loose? Throw the laces away. And on top of all that, they're ridiculously cheap and they're not painted in neon.
Submitted by
GirlOfDoom
a Cross-Country Rider
from Calgary AB
Date Reviewed: December 28, 1999
Strengths: They work Cheap
Weaknesses: Velcro straps wore out after less than a year They're SLIIIIIIIPPEERRYYYY!!!
Bottom Line:
These shoes are sooooo slippery to walk in!!! They've dumped me on my butt more than once. Also after less than a year of use, the velcro straps are losing their power! I know I ride everything I own really hard, but jeez!!! I'll give them two stars tho, because they work and they're cheap.
I use this shoe on my road bike in training and I like it. I got it at my LBS for 28 bucks--I believe they are the 96 version on a closeout. They fit very well and work good on my Wellgos. On the rare times I have to walk my bike, they walk just fine. I would recommend them.
Bike Setup: Bianchi Eros road bike, Wellgo clipless
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steven Chaprnka
a Cross-Country Rider
from E. Lansing MI
Date Reviewed: December 26, 1999
Strengths: :Low cost :Not to flashy
Bottom Line:
I bought these as my intro pair of shoes. So, far, after two years, they still kick ass. Simple two strap design, nice stiff sole, cool looking. Great for beginers. I am moving to something with a little tighter fit. But i would recomend these beauties to everyone.
Submitted by
Ed
a Cross-Country Rider
from Redford, NI
Date Reviewed: October 8, 1999
Strengths: Price ($50)
Weaknesses: Color is OK
Bottom Line:
First pair of clipless shoes and I would have to say they are great no problems at all they have improved my riding tremendously. much better acceleration and climbing ability. Of course they are not walking shoes but the give good traction off the bike for walking in thr trails if need be, kinda ackward on real hard surfaces though.
Bike Setup: Trek 930 Rock Shox Jett T2 Secialized Clipless Bontrager, Seat Tires, and wheels/Hubs
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greg
a Cross-Country Rider
from NB, CANADA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 1999
Bottom Line:
I basically agree with everything most people are saying. Unless you get your foot properly aligned on the pedal, you will slip right off of it. Other than that, the shoes fit very well (I have wide feet and they adjusted nicely after a few rides), they are comfortable and have stood up to whatever I have thrown at them. I would recommend these shoes to anyone. They aren't hard on the $$ either!
Submitted by
SGT ROCK
a Cross-Country Rider
from Drumheller, AB
Date Reviewed: June 17, 1999
Strengths: Price Looks Fit Durability Lightweight
Weaknesses: Slippery sole Suede leather Color (green - ugh!)
Bottom Line:
Good shoes, but suede is not a good off-road shoe material - doesn't like water or mud. I have these shoes rigged for road use 'cause I can't stand pansy road shoes. Aren't many shoes out there that can match this shoe for the price. If they fit, buy 'em.
For someone who doesn't care too much for clipless pedals in the first place, these shoes do the job. But Paul from CO made a good point...they ARE slippery just around the cleat area. That is their only significant shortcoming. Thus, if you try to press down on the pedal and the front of your cleat isn't guided in properly, your foot will slide off the pedal as if it were oiled on the bottom. When wearing these shoes, you gotta make sure your cleat is properly placed/guided into the pedal before exerting force to click in. Then again, the velcro works just fine, the soul is stiff enough, and the shoe itself is comfortable; all for $60. Unless you're a racer, what more can you ask for in a shoe? 5 chilis.
Similar Products Used: None. Never tried riding clipless on campus before!
Bike Setup: GT Avalanche, Time ATAC Alium pedals.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DRay
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ellensburg, WA
Date Reviewed: May 15, 1999
Strengths: Cheap! Comfortable! Easy in/Easy out! Great traction!
Weaknesses: Compared to riding in hiking boots or BMX shoes, none.
Bottom Line:
As my first pair of clipless biking shoes, these were not only the cheapest, but the most comfortable I tried in the sub-$90 range. Velcro and laces? Not sure why, but they seem to work great together. Maybe I'll take out the laces and see how it works. Stays on the pedals, makes climbing a breeze, and even grips great off the bike. If you're thinking about making the switch to clipless, this is the shoe to do it with.
Bike Setup: Trek 7000, Manitou FS, Wellgo 96a pedals
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ferday
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary,Alberta
Date Reviewed: April 25, 1999
Strengths: Velcro (laces suck)
Bottom Line:
Good shoes, stiff sole, hard to walk in. But I guess you're not walking in bike shoes. comfortable and grippy off the bike.Would be nice to be able to use cleats though.
Bike Setup: stumpy hardtail, time pedals, marzocchi fork
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross-Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: March 28, 1999
Strengths: comfortable laces AND velcro! look good easy to walk in
Weaknesses: hard to get on slippery sole around cleat velcro straps are too long sole a bit too soft
Bottom Line:
Good shoe. Comfortable. The sole is a bit soft, but the big problem is that if you step on your pedal and don't get clipped in right away, your shoe might slip off because the sole around the cleat is smooth as glass. They have good treads for walking otherwise, but this is dangerous.
