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Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Tommy and Lefebvre | | Strengths: | Cheap, lightweight, breatheable, comfortable. | | Weaknesses: | Only two straps so there's a bit of heel lift. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | DeVinci Cactus hardtail with Shimano SPD pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Good, reasonably priced, comfortable shoes. Lasted just over 2 years of bike'n'hike on rocky terrain before the soles came apart. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Wellington, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Makara Peak | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | The Pedaler in El Sobrante, CA | | Strengths: | Long lasting, good fit, grip, durable -- been using them for 5 years | | Weaknesses: | sole slippery on hard wet surfaces, only 2 straps so not super-tight fit | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Big Sur Disc | | Bottom Line: | Great shoes -- I can say after 5 years they hold up really well. The last 2.5 years I've been riding maybe 3 - 6 hours a week, much of it offroad -- stream-crossings, mud, roots, you name it I've seen it, and it's held up well. Some of the pads on the sole were starting to peel away but I glued them down and hope to get another couple years use out of them.
I salivate over the carbon expert version but I can't justify spending that much on shoes. 3 straps would be nice but now the Sport version has 3 straps as well, so I would probably buy the sport version if I had to replace them right now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
NiceGuyMr
a
from Florida, USA
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | For the money... Comfort, Fit, they work | | Weaknesses: | Looks | | Similar Products Used: | None. This is my first pair of clip in biking shoes. | | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper FSR | | Bottom Line: | Since this is my first pair, I don't have anything to compare them with but I'll try to give a good review.
I tried several pairs of shoes on before buying these. I have a US size 13 foot and it is often times hard for me to find shoes of any kind that fit me comfortably. After trying several brands in my size, these seemed to be the most comfortable to me IN THIS PRICE RANGE. Even though I thought I was going to lean towards one of the more expensive shoes with the 'ratcheted' laces, The velcro laces hold the shoes in place very securely. Overall, I'd say you get what you're paying for in comfort.
Again, since this is my first time, I couldn't tell you about peformance compared to other shoes. I can only tell you that they clipped in and with ease for me, but then again, I have my PD-M324 pedals (platform on one side and clip in on the other) set to the lightest tension. I have yet to take my bike on any 'serious' off road trails, but I feel comfortable in the way they have performed on me thus far.
I only wish that I would have found at my LBS similarly priced shoes that looked more like sneakers... b/c I sometimes just like to ride to the local cafe with my gf and grab a small bite, or even take my dog to the park, and I think most biking shoes look kinda dorky (as do the helmets). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BEN Pupeza
a Cross Country Rider
from Blaine MN Anoka
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | with dirt in sun or trees | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | pioneer cycling in MN | | Strengths: | stiff, durable, laces and straps, not $100+ ,wide | | Weaknesses: | butt ugly, dry slowly due to real unfinished, raw or fuzzy type of leather v.s. smooth finished leather or synthetic materials.
| | Similar Products Used: | nothing to comare. these are my first clipless shoes | | Bike Setup: | 02 specialized stumpjumper compe. spd pedals 525's.I wont brag on upgrades but love my fox shock oh yeah, baby butt smooth lie butta | | Bottom Line: | I just got my bike and had to get shoes fast at LBS. I could have got a better deal on the web on better shoes but these shoes do the job. theyre not crap but certainly not high performance in any way. Very good is what I'd say. you know how that toyota just keeps going. It rusts out and has a low top speed but gets you from A to B without breaking down. Ive had these shoes for two abusive years. they are starting to rip on a seam on the inside ball of my foot. For what I paid and what Ive done I'd say they are a good value. Like I said theyre not crap.
Live to ride, ride to live | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy
a Cross Country Rider
from Wynnewood
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Wyssihikon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | These are very comfertable and strong shoes. I baught these used on ebay and they still are in great working and physical condition. | | Weaknesses: | For me at least they are kind of loose fitting unless i tighten them all the way. They are my size, yet still seem to fit a bit loose. I realize I did buy them online and didnt get to try them on, but they still are the same size as my old sneakers that fit perfectly. | | Similar Products Used: | Just normal sneakers
| | Bike Setup: | Giant Boulder SE, Manitou Axel, Many upgraded parts | | Bottom Line: | Great shoes for the xc/aggresive xc rider like myself. They hold there ground and do what they are supposed to. I took one chilli off due to there loose fit. (I like them to be a bit tighter) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Johnstown, PA
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | any that go up | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | specialized.com | | Strengths: | stiffness, comfort, price | | Weaknesses: | weight, ventilation | | Similar Products Used: | various road shoes | | Bike Setup: | Old Cannondale SV, Kona King Kikapu, and Redline Conquest - all with SPD's | | Bottom Line: | I originally bought these shoes in the spring of '01 and paid near full price at that time. Looking at the reviews for a friend, I noticed the deal at specialized.com and had to buy a second pair as a backup. My original pair is showing some wear at the seams and on the sole (esp at the toe), but are in pretty good shape for 2+ yrs and 2000+ miles.
I've used these shoes for both XC riding and a bit of racing as well as some cyclocross and have been very happy with them. They can be warm in hot weather, but they are OK for Pennsylvania. The flipside is they are great in cooler temps and I've ridden with just wool socks and these shoes down to 30F. They are quite stiff for a comfortable shoe and the soles provide great traction. I haven't had any problems running short distances (up to 25m) in them. A good value at the original $70, absolutely insane at $20. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Des Moines, IA
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$29.00 | | Purchased At: | Specialized Website | | Strengths: | Comfortable, stiff, durable | | Weaknesses: | haven't noticed anything | | Similar Products Used: | 1st and only Clipless shoe so far | | Bike Setup: | 03 Stumpjumper Comp | | Bottom Line: | I bought these off the website for a hella-low price, it was sweet. They always have cheap ass shoes, but most of the time the most common sizes are sold out, i got lucky. I would recommend anyone these shoes, especially for non-racing. Ive never washed them, just throw them in a corner and they look like new. The tread is holding up well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Cheap, durable, good fit | | Weaknesses: | Not the lightest shoe, not the best colors | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Stumpjumper FSR, Talas Fork, BETD linkage w/ 4-5 inches of rear travel, XTR, Race Face - Nothing stock | | Bottom Line: | These shoes are great for the price. They are not the best looking nor are they the lightest shoes. More importantly, they fit very comforatbly and have lasted two years and are still in good shape. They actually out lasted my last bike. I am ready for new shoes but can't find a reason to replace these yet.
Great shoes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Corey
a Cross Country Rider
from Groton, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Bluff Point | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Mystic | | Strengths: | light, comforabul, cheap | | Weaknesses: | weird looking, cold in the fall/winter, cant walk in then | | Similar Products Used: | Other stuff | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpy 03' stock | | Bottom Line: | Good beginer shoes, but they are wierd looking and they are mad cold, and you cant walk in them, ive fell like 3 times walking in them | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JT
a
from Arlington, VA
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Durability, stiffness, comfort. Really, really well built! | | Weaknesses: | Looks ... uncomfortable to walk in for any distances over 50 yards. They can bge a little warm during the summer. Oh, yeah, and looks! These things are so ugly even my dog won't chew on them. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Sandals | | Bottom Line: | Ugly, ugly, ugly! However, they are awesome shoes. I've had them for more than a year now and I just love these things. I don't use the laces, only the straps and they fit my feet perfectly.
Sure they are hot during the summer but I think that's part of teh durability. Besides, when it gets too hot, I thrown on my sandals and I'm good to go.
You will not be disappointed if you get these! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Salisbury
a Racer
from King George, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hollywood Farm | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Specialized.com | | Strengths: | EVERYTHING except - | | Weaknesses: | uncomfortable walking | | Similar Products Used: | 0 | | Bike Setup: | Specialized 13" Hotrock | | Bottom Line: | I've had them for less than 1 week,adn they are easy, I love 'em. I'm learned faster than I fly down the trail, these shoes are not pieces of s*** | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Pleasant Grove, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Bingham Cyclery | | Strengths: | Comfort, Long lasting, Stiff | | Weaknesses: | Straps and laces is overkill | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Hasn't changed since my last review. | | Bottom Line: | I posted a review on this shoe 7/99 and am still using the same pair. They have lasted and maintained the needed stiffness. This is a great shoe! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Comfortable fit and reasonable price.
The combination of lace and straps makes this a great fitting shoe. Many other reviewers have said this shoe was the best fit for their wide feet. In my case, I have narrow feet and this was the only shoe I have tried which is comfortable with no heel slipage. I like this shoe better than others I tried at two to three times the price. | | Weaknesses: | Hot. Average looks. Soles must be trimmed to work with some pedals. -- These shoes don't breath real well, but I don't care too much because they fit right. They are not the greatest looking shoe either, but again, who cares. Also, the treads on the soles were too deep to work with my Crank Eggbeater pedals. I had to cut away a good part of the tread before I could get the shoes to clip in becasue the tread hit the pedal spindal before the cleat could clip in. The instructions for the shoes state that the same can be true for some Time A.T.A.C. pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | Demo'ed Sidi, Shimano, Pearl Izumi, Adidas, Peformance. | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight, RockShox Psylo SL, Shimano XT / Disk, Crank Eggbeater pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Fit is everything in a shoe. This design of this shoe makes it easily adjustable to fit comfortably. The price is right too! While it does have some minor drawbacks, its strengths of price and comfort make this shoe a winner. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christopher
a Weekend Warrior
from Ashburn Va
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$69.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | The shoe fits very well. I have wide feet and it is tough to find shoes that fit snug with out pinching. | | Weaknesses: | definatley not a walking shoe. Already showing ware. | | Similar Products Used: | Vans Dualist, Vans low tops with Clips | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Mesa GSX with xt derailleurs and shimano 545's | | Bottom Line: | This is one the most comfortable shoes I have ever put on. It does losen after long periods of use (none worse than my hockey skates though). A square deal for the for the sport rider even at retail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
josh
a Cross Country Rider
from here
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | highland | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | Specialized.com | | Strengths: | straps and laces, great combo
fits my cleats well
good clearance
pretty nice tread | | Weaknesses: | none, but i had to buy mine big, they were on sale and closest was a size to big for me | | Similar Products Used: | specialized rockhopper, tennis shoes and platforms, soccer cleats and platforms | | Bike Setup: | trek 4500, rock shox judyTT, azonic as-1 clipless | | Bottom Line: | i love these shoes, they are not all gay bright colors like some more expensive shoes, but they seem to work perdy dern well for me, if u wear size 38,46,47,48 go and buy some now for $10, even if u dont need them right now | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | Solid, quality shoe for a great price. Comfortable, but stiff where it counts. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing significant. They're sort of boring-looking, but I can't get too upset about that... | | Similar Products Used: | These are my first off-road bike shoes. I use Times on the road. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano 515 SPD pedals, connected to a Klein Adept. | | Bottom Line: | I'm really happy with these shoes. They do the job for me, and don't draw any attention to themselves, negative or positive. Like I said, I find them comfortable on the trails, and stiff enough so that I feel like I'm not wasting leg-power pushing the pedals. I don't mind walking in them for short stretches, and they don't pick up much mud or dirt. They're wearing well so far, too. Although I can't compare them to anything else, I'm quite satisfied. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hud
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Comfortable. Durable. Price. | | Weaknesses: | Not as 'cool' looking as some other shoes. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bottom Line: | I've got a fairly wide foot, and these shoes fit great. Others told me that the European shoes are narrow, so I tried these and I have not been disappointed. These shoes also seem to last. I've put about a thousand miles on these shoes, and they are just now starting to show some damage, but that may be due to a recent auger. The soles are a little slippery on wet rock (but I'm sure that most are). For the comfort and price, I can live without the 'cool' look. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from San Carlos, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Store | | Strengths: | Good Price | | Weaknesses: | The soles wear down way too fast. | | Similar Products Used: | Keds | | Bike Setup: | 98 Trek 8000shx, non-stock, Judy SL, XT componets. | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line? well...its a good shoe for the money. I had this shoe for about two years, and after about a 2 months the bottoms of the shoes wear down, wich causes the cleat to grind down to nothing. If you plan on riding hard, spend the extra cash and go by a SIDI. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a Cross Country Rider
from GR, MN, US
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | shingle mill | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | skihut | | Strengths: | Industructible | | Weaknesses: | heavy when u have a dismount section | | Bottom Line: | This shoe does what it was ment to do. Be a cheap, heavy, durable shoe. THIS SHOE IS AWESOME FOR RECREATIONAL RIDERS! It is definately a good upgrade from normal pedals. I just did my first race with this shoe (pole, pedal, pant). A triathlon that is skiing, mnt biking, then running. It was super heavy during a 200m dismount section of the course! It suxed, but it's only $65. The shoe drains water alright--most of the time your feet don't even get wet. It is an unbelievably warm shoe in cold weather, but breaths good in even the warmest weather. THE BOTTOM LINE IS IT'S AN AWESOME SHOE AS LONG AS YOU CAN STAY ON YOUR BIKE> AS SOON AS YOU DISMOUNT THEY TURN TO LEAD! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from New Orleans
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$17.00 | | Purchased At: | Specialized website | | Strengths: | Cheap, very comfortable | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F1000 | | Bottom Line: | My first clipless shoes, these are amazingly comfortable, great for newbies like me or anyone looking for high value/dollar. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tmo
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | specialized.com | | Strengths: | light weight; durable; laces and velcro; price | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Bottom Line: | Great shoes. I couldn't say no to the price that specialized.com had them for. You can't beat $35. I was pleasantly surprised that they are great shoes and fit my size 13 feet perfectly. I highly recommend them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patric
a Cross Country Rider
from Davenport
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Loud Thunder Forest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Works - Waterdown ON | | Strengths: | Durable - Great for hiking. | | Weaknesses: | Soul is too soft causing cramping. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, Sidi | | Bottom Line: | Great shoe for the money and the weekend worrier.
I've owned 2 diffent pairs of this shoe and encountered likes and dislikes from each. The first pair was awesome but cracked after two seasons. The second pair (that I still use) don't fit the same and cause foot cramps during long sustained spinning session but still work great in the mud. I've since purchased a set of shoes for spinning and keep these shoes for the mud. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from San Mateo, CA
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Waterdog Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Talbot's Cyclery | | Strengths: | Durability, Looks, Very Comfortable, Pricing. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing really, could be a little stiffer. | | Similar Products Used: | Sneakers | | Bike Setup: | Homegrown, Sid SL, SRAM 9.0sl, ISIS Next LP's, Shimano XT Disc, Spinergy XYClone Disc | | Bottom Line: | Very durable shoe, good for trail riding, some racing. Good price too, I would recommend it to anyone as a first clipless shoe. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
treadhead
a Cross Country Rider
from Milwaukee
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | John Muir | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$44.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Very durable shoes. I raced at least 5 races in them and there are no sign of stress or tears. Holds up in the elements.
Stiff sole. Great setup. | | Weaknesses: | numbness in small toe on both feet (probably got the wrong size- my fault) Sucks on slick rock. Most shoes do however. | | Bike Setup: | Good ol' Homegrown with Mars, Times, Sram stuff. | | Bottom Line: | Great shoe for my needs. Does the job for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Mississippi
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Couch-Badlands-Briar Patch loop | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | The Wheel House | | Strengths: | Wide enough for normal feet.
Good basic shoe at a reasonable price. | | Weaknesses: | Leather strip that the laces go through digs into front of my ankle. | | Similar Products Used: | Tried on Specalized Comps -- liked the features, but they were too narrow.
Lake MX200 (3 years).
Some old Airwalks (2 years) | | Bike Setup: | Trek STP200 w/ESP 9.0 shifters, deraileurs | | Bottom Line: | What is it about bike shoe manufacturers? Probably half the riders I know have trouble finding shoes wide enough to fit their normal sized feet , myself included. So here comes Specialized with Shoes That Actually Fit Normal Feet. What a freekin' concept! Make a shoe that Actually Fits Most People! What's more, they're priced well under the $100 mark! Bet they'll sell a zillion of 'em.
The only annoyance I've had so far is the leather strip the laces go through nudges the front of my ankle, on the inboard side of each foot. This is a very minor problem compared to the fire-in-the-ball-of-my-foot problem most other (narrow!) shoes give me. I can live with it.
Not perfect, but the best shoes I've found so far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Monroe, Louisiana USA
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Source (Monroe, Louisiana) | | Strengths: | Great fit, stiff sole, sturdy, reflective material on sides and heels, price! | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Trek road bike, Specialized mtn. bike. | | Bottom Line: | They fit great and are easy to walk in. This is the first time I've used clipless pedals and cycling-specific shoes, so even though they are great for me I have nothing to compare them to. I went on a short road ride with them this morning. The only problem I had was the outside of my right foot getting a cramp, but I think it was due to the fact that I'm not used to keeping my foot relaxed for the most part while pedaling. I used to use running shoes with toe clips and I was always curling my foot when I got tired and it caused cramps. I had bad pedaling form also. I think this cramp was due to not keeping my foot relaxed. I will update as time goes by and I use them more. For the money, you can't beat them. A friend of mine has some from a few years ago and he loves them. Like I said they fit great and are comfortable without being too tight or narrow. I give them five flaming hot dogs for value and five for overall value | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kurt
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | J. Miller Park, Tahoe Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Dave's Bikes in Tahoe City | | Strengths: | Inexpensive, comfortable, no blisters, works well with out without clipless | | Weaknesses: | Slippery when walking on wet surfaces | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC NRS DS1 | | Bottom Line: | Nice stiff shoe at a remarkable price. I've ridden them both clipped and clipless and they work well. The best endorsement I can give them is you put them on (in a hurry thanks to the Velcro) and never notice your feet for the rest of the ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Augusta Ga. USA
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Augusta Canal | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$56.00 | | Purchased At: | Outspoken | | Strengths: | Comfortable, durable, and great traction in loose to hard packed soils. | | Weaknesses: | Slippery on rocks dry or wet and should be used with care. | | Bike Setup: | Giant Rainer SE stock, with rack and speedomoter. | | Bottom Line: | If you ride in loose or packed dirt, sand, mud these are the shoes for you. They grab great when you hit the top of a hill and have to bail off. Great for climbing that last few feet. Not bad on a long walk back to the truck after a major blowout either. If you ride alot of rocks, or try to cross a creek be careful they have little gripping ability on rocks or on creeks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek
a Cross Country Rider
from Speingfield,SC
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike To Nature | | Strengths: | Great Shoe | | Weaknesses: | Non | | Bottom Line: | Great shoe for the price. My only problem is the side of my foot will go numb sometimes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from Shaw AFB SC
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Killer Three | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Buddy's Schwinn and Specialized | | Strengths: | Great fit, good tread design(very stable) look good,not a bad price,good hard sole. | | Weaknesses: | Cleat seems to come loose a lot, but that mt be the cleat itself, not the mounting system. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Mt Tam,Rock Shox Mag 10,Deore XT,Deore DX,Ritchey Rims,Ritchey Pedal | | Bottom Line: | Great shoes,great price,great performance.If you are looking for a first shoe, or a good deal shoe, this is the way to go. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daryl Khoo
a Cross Country Rider
from Mountain View, CA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Saratoga Gap | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$36.00 | | Purchased At: | SpecializedStore.com | | Strengths: | Great value in a simple, no fuss entry-level shoe. Does it's job and does it well. Decent traction on loose ground (gravel/soft-packed dirt). | | Weaknesses: | Heel isn't as stable as I'd hoped for. Found that my heels tend to roll on un-level ground. This happened only when I had one foot clipped and the other on the ground to support myself. These are essentially the same construction as the Spec. Comp Mtn version. So... When will Specialized bring the price down on the Specialized Comp Mountain Shoe?!? | | Similar Products Used: | Bmx and casual sneakers on platform pedals. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized S-Works and Marz Z1 BAM with Race Face Next LP and Speedplay FrogTi pedals. Dual purpose XC/DH bike. | | Bottom Line: | THREE MONTHS AGO I would never have switched to a clipless setup. The platform/sneaker combination worked just fine. I am glad I made the switch to clipless since I spend so much time climbing singletrack. If you ride XC you'd understand.
Installation:
Cleats mount securely to plate and micro-adjustment of cleat direction is simple. The sole opening is wide enough to accommodate Frog Cleats [this is a major plus for Speedplay or Look pedal owners!!] Took me 4 adjustments to get the right feel.
Feel:
I have a flat footbed and I can't wear many shoes with a narrow bed (Nike) or high arch. The Specialized Sport Mtn Shoe fit me well. I spend 6+ hours a week on the trails in climbing/descending conditions and these shoes have held to a fair amount of abuse. I laced up both shoes and rode for a week. I found it more comfortable to wear these shoes without laces. Only marginally looser than the laced setup as the dual straps work well enough to keep my heel to the footbed.
Overall:
I tested a pair of these shoes at a local bike shop before I bought these online at www.specializedstore.com with Credit Card. I received them within 5 days. Paid a total of $38-39 (including shipping). Very satisfied. Outstanding value. Get yourself a pair before they run out of your size!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ajanii
a
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any intermediate singletract | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS Bike USA | | Strengths: | tough intermediate level shoe. works well in hike-a-bike sections. comfortable but depends on your foot type.mine are wide. | | Weaknesses: | sole is not too stiff. shoe is a tad flimsy overall. | | Similar Products Used: | first shoe | | Bike Setup: | GT LTS | | Bottom Line: | Great intermediate level shoe for begginers and intermediate riders I think. I ride intermediate did an adventure race and 12 hour endurace mouhntain bike race and the shoes performed well in hike and hike-a-bike sections abd was comfortable even after wearing them for 15 hours straight. I have them for three years and they are still going strong. Great costto benefit ratio | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric b
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | mormon to national | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | stiff | | Weaknesses: | the sole wears out way to fast. I've had these six months, and they're already chewed up. | | Bike Setup: | dbr xr4, shimano 545's | | Bottom Line: | I bought these with a bike, my first clipless. Sadly the soles don't stand up to the terrain out here, and I need a new pair. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sal
a Weekend Warrior
from Gloucester, Mass
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn Woods & Dogtown | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Seaside Cycles, Manchester | | Strengths: | Light weight, nice and stiff | | Weaknesses: | don't need laces. stiff sole wears out quite easily if you have to walk on rocks. | | Similar Products Used: | first clipless pedal shoe | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Jekkyl with Marzocchi bomber 100 mm fork. Mavic CrossMax Wheelset with Conti Survivor Pro 2.3 in front and Tioga DH 2.1 in rear | | Bottom Line: | I like the stiff and light weight feel of this shoe. However, the plastic sole got eaten up quickly by walking on rocks,etc. I've had these shoes a year and the soles are practically gone. Also, had to replace cleats this year and I don't know whether that is due to the fact that the cleats are not recessed into the sole and rub on the rocks when walking. Because they're stiff, they can cause pain at the top of foot in front of ankle, because the toe area doesn't bend when you step up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Erik's Bike Shop in Richfield, MN | | Strengths: | Fits well, stiff sole, keeps feet nice and cool in warm weather. | | Weaknesses: | Straps don't tighten on super-narrow feet too well | | Bike Setup: | Specialized RockHopper CompF/S frame, RockShox Mag21 fork, Bontrager rear wheel, XT components (for the most part) ... it's a mutt. | | Bottom Line: | A great shoe for me, particularly, because it fits amazingly well on my AA width feet. If you have impossibly narrow feet like mine, these are perfect for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
weather expert
a Weekend Warrior
from iowa
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | somewhere in iowa | | Strengths: | you don't feel like wearing a special kind of shoes unless you walk on then and hear your cleats scraping.
comfy | | Weaknesses: | what is this box for? | | Bike Setup: | xcaliber | | Bottom Line: | i'm gonna buy another pair just for teh love of these shoes (i don't have extra cleats). i shopped around for cycling shoes and this is the cheapest i could get, yet they work fantastically. they only problem whatsoever is that specialized has a slightly different sizing--44 translates into a 10.5 (usually 45=10.5us). if you get the right size, you'll be happy ever after.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Garrett
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus, OH
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Ceasar Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Source (Ohio Chain) | | Strengths: | Comfortable, Velco straps allow for quick adjustments. Easy to walk in. | | Weaknesses: | Straps look as though they may wear after some time | | Similar Products Used: | New Balance shoes/Look PP156 pedals (for road). Platform and clips for MTB (street shoes). | | Bike Setup: | '98 GT Avalanche / trusty old Manitou 3 fork / all LX components | | Bottom Line: | I use these shoes with the shimano 545 pedals (platform and clipless). The shoes work great with the pedals. Shims and alterations were not necessary. I gave 5 for value (35 bucks!!), and 4 for overall. Too early to give them a 5. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Parsons
a Cross Country Rider
from Salinas, Ca
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Goat Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | http://the-s-store.specialized.com/ | | Strengths: | I don't know the weight of others, but this seems light. It looks good(blue), VERY, VERY comfortable | | Weaknesses: | none noticable | | Similar Products Used: | plain shoes and platform pedals | | Bike Setup: | 99 stumpjumper comp, z3 bam 80, truvativ stylo team crank, body geometry seat(awesome) | | Bottom Line: | This is the best shoe ever! It's just as comfortable as my regular shoes. Now, i can climb so much better than w/ platforms, you can pull up really hard with them for double the power when pedaling. Jumping over obstacles, like erosion stoppers on downhills, makes rides tons smoother. On very rocky and/or bumpy descents, you stay on the pedal an power through instead of slipping around or off. The problems mentioned about time pedals haven't happened to me, i can see where the pedal might be rubbing, but nothing keeping me in or out. My only problem is getting ued to the position of the cleat, where it is on the shoe, for clipping in. Now get out and ride! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin Seiferth
a Racer
from Lincoln, MA
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The road | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | 30 | | Strengths: | Easy to walk in compared to others. Price. Hold onto feet very well with laces vice straps. Fairly comfortable. Not garish. Fit big and thin socks. Protects those ankles. Clip on easily. Not flashy. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy and get dirty looking. Straps are getting streched looking as is tonque. Picks up chain oil on inside. Need Dr. Schols foot inserts to be really comfortable. | | Similar Products Used: | Lake and Answer | | Bike Setup: | Habanero Ti (Road not MTB) with Performance SPDs | | Bottom Line: | I may wish I owned Sidi Genius 3's but these are just as functional and seem to be holding up great. Glad I bought them.Hope they keep making shoes like these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA USA
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Strengths: | Inexpensive and comfortable. Fairly cool in the hot weather and they seem to breath well. Sole is stiff enough for riding but you can still walk in them comfortably. | | Weaknesses: | Not for cold weather riding. They get wet easily and stay that way. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Trek 7000 | | Bottom Line: | Good shoe for beginners and road warriors! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Philadelphia, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | vertical ones | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Line of Wilmington | | Strengths: | Good looking, laces and velcro,comfy | | Weaknesses: | suede gets dirty fast. The cleats scrap on the ground and that is annoying because the cleats wear out. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4500 w/ Shimano M434 pedels | | Bottom Line: | Great shoe for the bucks. They are very cofortable and thy work well with the pedels that i use | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Catfish
a Weekend Warrior
from Birmingham
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything dirt | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | Price,looks and comfort | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | shimano | | Bike Setup: | stock Rockhopper A1FSR | | Bottom Line: | Shoe lloks great and feels great.I looked at reviews before buying and they are exactly what everyone says they are. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Holland, MI
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Cheap
Mainstream looking Neutral Color | | Weaknesses: | Some of the stitching came undone.
The bead of glue at the edge of the shoe sole | | Bike Setup: | This Shoe is Size 45 | | Bottom Line: | This shoe happens to fit my feet very well. The shoelaces and velcro straps keep the shoe firmly and comfortably attached to my foot. It breaths well. The SPD cleat stays attached.
However, the stitching that holds the nylon mesh to the rest of the show in the toe area is unravelling. A minor problem so far that can be fixed. The way the sole is glued onto the shoe looks cheap, but it hasn't yet come undone.
On fit alone I would buy this shoe again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Minnesota
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | In Minnesota? Yeah, Right. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | REI (sorry LBS) | | Strengths: | Comfort, Performance, Durability, Price | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy, but not enough to be an issue with me. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano tetrazoidasomethingorother,chuck taylors, hiking boots | | Bike Setup: | 853 Hardtail,'00 XT, '00 Judy Race | | Bottom Line: | Probably not stiff or light enough for the weight concious racer, but for the average or soul rider i can't recomend them high enough. I have put mine through mud, snow, heat and dust, and they refuse to give up. i find it really easy to find a good balance between tightness and comfort with the lace/ velcro strap combo. takes longer to get on and off than ratchets do, but i'm in no hurry. nice lugs (altough not replaceable, which is too bad given the apparent lifespan of these shoes) they work great for hiking up the usually muddy and steep creekside at the raft crossing down at the River Valley. (Minneapolis riders know of what i speak) It's some scaggy water and you don't want to be falling back into it. I don't see a reason other than the racing edge to spend more on another shoe. I've got big wide feet and never have even had the hint of blisters. Performance gets a fiver and value would get 5+ if i could. if your into performance and value, they are worth a try. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
E-Man
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque, NM
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Fawlty Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Stiff
Comfy
Wide
Inexpensive (Not cheap)
Don't look like an ad | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Hammer Race | | Bottom Line: | Great shoes right out of the box. Have ridden in all weather with them, in all sorts of terrain and they have taken it.
The thing I like best about these shoes is that you never think about them when you are riding. They perform consistantly and wear comfortably.
I was tempted to spend more on some shoes that were gaudy and blatently advertized themselves, but I am glad that I didn't.
Grat price, Great fit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sir Scars-A-Lot
a Weekend Warrior
from Burbank, CA
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | www.supergo.com | | Strengths: | Cool looks, no bright, gay colors.
Strong velcro straps.
| | Weaknesses: | No toe cleat option. | | Similar Products Used: | First clipless shoes. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 3 stock except Shimano M545 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | These are great shoes. They now come in green and dark blue colors. Look great just riding around town. Good fit. Almost no heel slippage. Specialized shoes tend to run wide so it fit my size 46 (Euro Size) feet. Works great with my Shimano M545 pedals. Comes with laces but I have yet to put them in. The two large velcro straps keep my foot snug. Great shoe to start with and for the weekend warrior. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn Sr
a Cross Country Rider
from Southern California
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Indian Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Open Air Bicycle (Ventura) | | Strengths: | Really comfortable from the start, work great with the stock
Ritchey pedals. Have held up really well for over a year.
Did I mention the great price? | | Weaknesses: | Looks somewhat begenner like with the tan suede shell. Goes
really well with baggy shorts and no helmet look of casual
rider. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | 98 Stumpjumper M2 with Time ATAC carbon pedals.
| | Bottom Line: | Can't knock these shoes one bit. These are the shoes I learned the ride clipless pedals with. Started with the
Ritchey pedals then switched to the Time pedals. The shoe
worked well with the Ritchey pedals with no modifcations.
When I switched to the Time pedals and cleats, I had problems getting out of them. After taking some box razors
and trimming away the tread on both sides of the cleat area
the Combo of these shoe's and time pedals is flawless.
The shoes are really comfortable (I have wide feet) and
have held up for well over a year of on and off road riding.
I've never installed laces because the velcro straps give
Me plenty of adjustment. I used to like the casual look that
these shoes give with baggy shorts. Now I,m proud to be a
bike geek with my Lycra shorts, helmet so I'd prefer a more
serious look than the tan suade.Five flaming Chilis despite
apperence.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Ayer, Ma
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Mud | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Fit's well. Looks O.K. (for a bike shoe). Cheap Money. | | Weaknesses: | None really. The front toe cleat ripped off, but thats from me beating the crap out of them. Alot of front toe movement. | | Bottom Line: | Great shoe. I've only had mine for three months and they look like hell, but they keep going strong! Like I said, the cleat ripped off the front toe, but that's what happens when your a pansy and can't make it up the big hills. Five for value cause there so cheap, 4 overall cause at this rate I don't know if they are going to last 6 months | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wayne
a Racer
from Illinois
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettle Moraine | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | lace | | Weaknesses: | Supporting sole too wide, won't fit my TIME Carbon pedals | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano M150 | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Super Cal | | Bottom Line: | I had to use Shimano pedals in order to use this shoe. When comes to TIME pedals, the yellow sole have small coverage to support pedal surface, overtime, the edge of TIME pedals made abrassive rubbing and cause my shoe to tilt about 10 degrees down. I wear size 46. Although the sole is not really that stiff compared to Shimano 150. For those who are a spinner and wants a power transfer 100% to pedals, this will not be an ideal choice especially for XC racer. Recreational purpose use would be okay. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eric
a Cross Country Rider
from ashland. VA
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Strengths: | they look good, they ride well, and they were inexpensive | | Weaknesses: | the suede gets dirty easily | | Similar Products Used: | sidi bullets | | Bike Setup: | cannondale f900 sx. lx/xt. coda disc. left fork | | Bottom Line: | don't waste your money on sidis' or any other expensive shoe these are great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | name
duriblity
laces and velcro (if the velcro brakes they are not useless)
price | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, Louis Garneux, | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher | | Bottom Line: | Great Shoes for a good price | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fred
a Cross Country Rider
from wakefield MA
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | orange trail in middlesex fells | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | -Don't look overly flashy
-Durable (thus far)
-Affordable | | Weaknesses: | -MURDER to walk in | | Similar Products Used: | plain ol' sneakers
| | Bike Setup: | Schwinn moab 2 w/ Ritchey SPD clipless pedals | | Bottom Line: | Overall, I am pleased with these shoes, although they are very uncomfortable to walk in. Perhaps after the cleats become worn down a little more they'll be better. Other than that, no real complaints. They look pretty subdude and won't force you to re-mortgage the house like many of the racing shoes out there. Now get off the computer and RIDE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Rebol
a Weekend Warrior
from Altanta, GA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | technical single track | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | The price is right. The uppers and soles have held up well to high abuse. And for people with big feet (I were a size 14) one of only a few shoes out there that come in that size that are above the recreational level. | | Weaknesses: | The need to use both the laces and the straps to get a good snug fit. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | GF Big Sur upgraded with all XT and Time A.T.A.C. carbon pedals. | | Bottom Line: | These shoes have not done me wrong. The only flaw to these shoes is the lace and strap system. If you have boats for feet these might be the shoes for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve McCormick
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairview, MI USA
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Inexpensive, light, fits great!, exterior cover and straps protect the laces from getting tangled and keep mud out of the front of the shoe, look good | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any yet. | | Bike Setup: | GF Joshua with full XT gear and SID rear shock | | Bottom Line: | This website with all the product reviews helped me make a lot better choice of shoes. For the money this is the best shoe for me. Two important things I learned was that expensive does not mean high quality (nor does inexpensive necessarily mean poor quality), and that shoes of the same size, even if from the same manufacturer, do not fit equally well. I ran into that with Specialized. I have a wide foot with fairly high arches and this shoe fit great right out of the box. I went with a little larger shoe so I could wear heavier socks went it cools off up here in Michigan. Getting used to clipping in is another story...
To be honest, I don't know why I would buy a more expensive shoe with this available. The suede might get cruddy after a while I suppose. We'll see. I suppose if I was racing for money I would get something lighter. But for the average schmuck like me this is a great value! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cary hunter
a Racer
from reston,va
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | wakefield | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | solid, durable, stiff, comfy | | Weaknesses: | heavy, holds a lot of water, sappy looking | | Similar Products Used: | none, first bootie | | Bike Setup: | mt tam, marzocchi z1, cane creek thudster seat post | | Bottom Line: | I'm pretty surprised how these shoes have held up through rain, mud, mud, water, and mud. They get REALLY heavy when riding through water when racing. I don't like that, but I hose them off and they dry out and are as good as new. Other guys shoes fall apart under the same stuff.
I'm in the market for some new shoes for next year to go with some Time ATAC pedals. I may have to get something similar. good value, good shoe | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Frazee
a Cross Country Rider
from Gainesville, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Markham Park - Plantation,FL | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Great feel, good construction. I've used these shoes in just about every type of environment other than snow and the shoes have no problems (tears, defects, etc.). These shoes can put up with a lot of abuse. Awesome shoe for the price. | | Weaknesses: | I have the tan shoes which don't exactly look cool, but biking isn't a fashion show so screw it. | | Similar Products Used: | First pair of SPD shoes. | | Bike Setup: | Rockhopper, Manitou shocks, Thudbuster, XT/XTR components | | Bottom Line: | Good shoe for the price. If you don't want to spend a fortune on a pair of shoes (college student), buy these. All that crap about the more expensive shoes putting up with more abuse is just sales talk. These are great shoes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek
a Cross Country Rider
from Terrace Bay, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Mickey's Madness | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | - stiff shoe
- sole has stood up so far
- a little bit waterproof
- good price
| | Weaknesses: | - doesn't look all that great | | Similar Products Used: | First clippless shoes | | Bike Setup: | '99 Hardrock Comp FS w/ Shimano 535 | | Bottom Line: | This shoe is stiff enough, has a tough sole and I got a good price for them ($110 CDN.). They may not look that great but it's a good all around shoe. Could be a little more waterproof, although they were pretty good at the last 24 hr. race I was at considering it rained all weekend. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Concord, CA
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | -Price
-Fit/comfort
-Performance | | Weaknesses: | -No half sizes | | Similar Products Used: | First attempt at biking shoes with clipless pedals | | Bike Setup: | Rockhopper/Judy XC/Wellgo 813 | | Bottom Line: | This is a great pair of biking shoes. Got these in navy/grey color. They are comfortable right out of the box, no need for break-in.
This is my first attempt at clipless pedals/biking shoes, and these shoes make pedaling much more efficient by allowing me to transfer more power to the pedal.
These shoes are great for beginner or intermediate mtn biker, especially when the price is a factor. You can't find a better value in a mountain biking shoe (my local bike shop matched REI and Performance sale price at $45).
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John K
a Weekend Warrior
from Scottsdale, AZ
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Dynamite Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Great fit. No break-in needed. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Avocets (non spd) | | Bike Setup: | Baracuda. Shimano 535's. Marzochi fork. Blah blah..... | | Bottom Line: | I got these for my wife for her B-day. They were $20.00 from Nashbar and a great deal. Especially since I was going to get her some $70.00 shoes that were'nt half as good. She only rides with me three times a month, but she puts her all into it and she loves the shoes.
80% of riders would like these. The soles seem stiff enough (comparing them to my $120.00 Vittorias), but are still very comfortable. The sole is more than aggresive enough for loose shale and rock. She has had noe problem clipping in or out after the obligatory two rides of falling over every once in a while. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Big V
a Weekend Warrior
from Southern CA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Comfortable, not too flashy, good fit right out of the box. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano 545 pedals | | Bottom Line: | Great value for the price. I got the navy-colored ones, and they're nice and subdued...not too flashy 'chi-chi' looking like some other shoes. The sole provides good protection around the cleat so you don't scrape a lot while walking in them. No break-in period required, mine were comfy right out of the box, but maybe I just have that kind of foot. No problems clipping in/out on my 545's, and I haven't had any probs yet with the cleats loosening or stripping out. Don't use the laces, you don't need them...the velcro holds 'em on your feet just fine, and makes it a lot quicker to get in and out of them. I'll give 'em a 5. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Loughran
a Cross Country Rider
from Bristol, UK
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | crickhowell death climb | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Low cost, great durability, light. | | Weaknesses: | zero waterproofing | | Similar Products Used: | shimano, nike shoes | | Bike Setup: | MTB and road | | Bottom Line: | Given these shoes are at the bottom end of the price range ($35 for me), they have lasted 2 and half years. That's two years more than I would usually expect from footwear. The reason? Who knows. The fairly shallow soles have held out and not split (shimano) or fallen off bit by bit (nike). Great value for money. I'm sure that high end shoes may have a bit of a better sole, but a longer lifespan? That would be hard. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob
a
from cT
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Good looks, unbeatable price for the value | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't accept toe spikes | | Similar Products Used: | 98' Answer Accelerators, 99 Specialized RockHoppers | | Bike Setup: | 99 GT Aggressor, XT/XTR z4 Flylight Air, Time ATAC Carbon pedals | | Bottom Line: | sweet shoes. get them from nashbar for 20 bucks | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pat
a Weekend Warrior
from oroville, ca, u.s.
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | stiff sole, great price, and comfortable. I wear EE size shoes and these shoes are great for wide feet. | | Weaknesses: | Don't need both the laces and the straps, in fact I never even bothered to put the laces in. | | Similar Products Used: | none, first try at clipless | | Bike Setup: | does it matter | | Bottom Line: | These are a great shoe for 65 bucks and they feel great. The only time I had any foot numbness was the first ride and that was because I pulled the straps to tight, lossened them up and haven't had any problems since. I have very wide feet and love these shoes.If you want a great shoe for under a hundred bucks then these are the shoes for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mudcat
a Weekend Warrior
from Glenside, PA
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
Wissahickon Valley | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Well-made, affordable, comfortable, and not butt-ugly like a lot of others | | Weaknesses: |
Laces AND velcro? | | Similar Products Used: |
None -- first foray into the realm of the clipless | | Bike Setup: |
Specialized Stumpjumper M2 Comp | | Bottom Line: | After riding for years, finally took the plunge into the clipless pool with the latest bike upgrade. Naturally, the next step was shoes for those pedals. Tried on Nikes, but the fit sucked. Tried these, and took 'em home. Had to get used to the concept, and took two nice falls on some slippery stuff (couldn't punch out in time), but overall am very pleased. Nice & stiff, but very comfortable -- even on long rides. Now I just gotta work on that quick disconnect... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Louis
a Cross-Country Rider
from C'bad CA
Date Reviewed: December 26, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
comfy, good traction, easy on/easy off, price | | Weaknesses: |
laces/velcro overkill | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano MO55s | | Bottom Line: | My second pair of shoes, the first ones didn't fit well. These fit perfectly and are very comfortable. I commute to work and am on my feet all day...I've forgotten to bring a change of shoes several times, but my feet were doing fine at the end of the day. I think I've used the laces maybe twice before I used them for a different pair of shoes, the velcro keeps the shoes on just fine. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mooch324
a Cross-Country Rider
from California
Date Reviewed: December 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Mr. Toads' Wild Ride | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Stiff sole, looks nice, good price for a good shoe. Not as good as the SIDI's and Nike's but good enough for me. | | Weaknesses: |
Haven't found one yet and hope I never do. | | Similar Products Used: |
Nike Guba's & Cannondale's | | Bike Setup: |
Race ready Mongoose frame, Shimano pedals, XT & LX, and ready to give the trails hell. | | Bottom Line: | Great shoe and most definetly a shoe worth the money. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Curtis
a Cross-Country Rider
from Detroit, MI
Date Reviewed: November 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
tough construction and materials
good looking
comfortable | | Weaknesses: |
not enough clown-shoe colors | | Similar Products Used: |
first (and last) pair of MTB shoes | | Bike Setup: |
97 Pro Flex Beast
Girvin pedals (thinknig of Frogs) | | Bottom Line: | All you pretend pros can keep your garish, check bouncing clown shoes. These shoes are stiff enough, tough enough and comfortable enough for anyone with a little common sense. There's no reason for anyone to spend almost $200 for shoes to go riding in. These shoes look good, too; no ridiculous look at me, I have a trust fund color schemes. If you want a good shoe and don't feel the need to advertise for the shoe company, try a pair of these on. I never even think about my feet, even after hours in the saddle. That's the best thing you can say about ANY shoe. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Hensold
a Weekend Warrior
from Spokane, WA
Date Reviewed: October 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Galbraith (Bellingham) | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
price
tracton
durability | | Weaknesses: |
uncomfortable to walk in | | Similar Products Used: |
Rockhopper (brothers) | | Bike Setup: |
'98 Rockhopper Comp FS
Ritchy Pedals(very cheap) | | Bottom Line: | They are a great shoe for the price, but they aren't very comfortable. If you don't have very much $ you should consider these shoes | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Johnson
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Louis, MO
Date Reviewed: October 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Council Bluff Lake Trail | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Comfortable, good looking, stiff soled, good traction. | | Weaknesses: |
After a long ride, they can leave my feet a little bit sore. | | Similar Products Used: |
None. This is my first pair of biking shoes. | | Bike Setup: |
I ride a Specialized Hardrock Comp FS with Coda clipless pedals. | | Bottom Line: | These are great beginner shoes. I don't have the money (or the need really) for a pair of top of the line shoes, and these were a great find in my price range. They have a good look, and are solid and durable. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Pleasant Grove, UT
Date Reviewed: July 21, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
I like the looks, Stiff soul, great beginner shoe | | Weaknesses: |
Probably not stiff enough for the true fanatic. | | Similar Products Used: |
No other experience as yet | | Bike Setup: |
Mongoose DX, Indy Rock Shox, Shimano 515 pedals | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding for years but admittedly I'm a beginner with clipless. This is the first pair I've tried. Be that as it may I am very picky about the shoes I put on my feet. I find these shoes to be very comfortable for my feet, I even get a bit lazy and leave them on while I'm at work (desk jockey job). I do have an average width foot, it fits without being too loose or too tight. The price was a primary issue but at $65 I found them very reasonable and would recommend them to any rider. Even though my foot is well secured, it seems to me that both laces and straps seem to be a bit of overkill. I'll give them 5 chillis but would consider 4.5 for the lace overkill. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cdale
a Cross-Country Rider
from Stuckton, CA
Date Reviewed: June 23, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Darrington | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Good looking, stiff enuff. | | Weaknesses: |
No reflector on the heel. Not really made for skinny feet, but Dr. Scholl's will cure all. Heel feels low. | | Similar Products Used: |
Specialized, Nikes | | Bike Setup: |
Coda, Ritchey and Shimano Spud-type pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This is a good shoe. I have had good luck w/ Special-ed shoes. I wanted to get the higher-priced Special-ed shoes, but they are butt-ugly (what's with the shiny black sheeyot??). Anyway. I've been riding bikes for a long time, so I think I pretty much know what to expect from a shoe. These are a real bargain. I know people who have bought Sidis, only to have the sole start to fall off. My last pairs of Special-eds lasted a loooong time, and these feel even stiffer than those were. I agree w/ Sketchy- if you have skinny feet, you'll need an insole. They clean up well, too. Just fill 'em w/ crumpled newspapers after a wet ride, and they'll be ready to go tomorrow.The heel is very low- it feels like your toes are pointing at the sky, but this is not annoying. Just quack once in a while.5 flaming horses. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ilan
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston
Date Reviewed: June 2, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | I agree with ARock, they are good shoes for the price. Not exactly race quality, but thats ok with me. Stiff enough for weekend riding and comfortable enough to walk from the front door to the car (but no furthur). I am sure they will be more comfortable when they get broken in. The retention system is fine by me, makes me feel like my foot is staying right where it is and won't slide around. It also allows for a more custom fit. I have really narrow feet (12 narrow) and these are still a bit too wide, so i slid a Dr. Scholl's pad inside and it fits much better. Not a bad shoe for $65. Ill give it 5 chilis and hope it molds to my foot as time passes. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ARock
a weekend warrior
from Dallas, TX
Date Reviewed: February 22, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a good entry-level shoe. I bought these shoes at the local REI along with my first pair of clipless pedals, Shimano M626 SPDs. They weren't the cheapest pair on the rack, but they were definitely among the lower tier. I think they're fine for casual riders -- probably not stiff or light enough for hardcore riders, but they work for me. They were also a good compromise on looks -- I could wear them on my road bike without looking *too* foolish (unlike the Rockhoppers, which I came very close to buying) but they're more rugged than road shoes and fairly easy to walk in, when necessary. I'm not entirely sure I like how they are secured -- first you tie the laces, then put the lace cover over them and fasten two wide velcro straps. Seems like overkill to me, but my feet don't move around any in the shoes, so maybe that's okay... | | Overall Rating: |
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