Submitted by
Alan Koslowski
a
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: March 26, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$34.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Durability, Comfort, Value, Looks like a normal shoe (more or less), good value
Weaknesses:
Soft sole, no straps, minimal ventillation, availability (I don't think this product is in production anymore)
Similar Products Used:
Answer Tecopa, Answer XC-1
Bike Setup:
2003 Trek XO cyclcross bike, stock
Bottom Line:
I wore a pair of answer XC-1 for about three years and they served me very well. I originally bought them for mountain biking, but over the last couple years I've gotten out of moutain biking and bike for commuting and recreation (on roads and mostly paved trails).
My XC-1 were getting worn down and aren't the best choice for general riding (stiff, uncomfortable), so I decided it was time to get another shoe. I wanted a durable, reasoably confortable shoe I could walk in as well as bike in. I found a great deal on a new 2000 year pair, and they seemed to fit the bill.
After about six months of riding the shoe has performed very well. For a cleated bike shoe, it's comfortable to walk in, and pretty much like a normal shoe (it has laces and no straps). The sole is fairly soft, but still firm enough to provide decent power transer.
If you want a competitve racing shoe you should look elsewhere. Performance is secondary to comfort with this shoe. If you want a durable, afforable, and comfortable shoe that works on and off the bike, the Talvera is one of the best options out there (if you can find it).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Leon
a
from peckville, pa Date Reviewed: April 5, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
bike hub
Bottom Line:
great shoe, i could wear them all day and not get blisters or any pains. lightweight and comfortable.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Travis W
a Weekend Warrior
from Modesto, CA Date Reviewed: March 3, 2003
Favorite Trail:
rim trail, moab
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
comfortable, looks decent, can walk around with some sense of normalcy when off your steed.
Weaknesses:
none for me
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
univega alpina 600, stx/lx, standard beater bike.
Bottom Line:
good shoe for me. i suppose if you raced on a regular occurance these might not be the shoe for you. i just haven't gotten into the spandex, superstiff plastic bike shoe thing yet.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Lititz Date Reviewed: November 4, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Swap meet
Strengths:
Cheap worked well
Bike Setup:
Sugar 3+
Bottom Line:
Would buy this shoe again.....at full price
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco Date Reviewed: September 24, 2002
Favorite Trail:
mt. Tam
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Strengths:
good looking
Weaknesses:
poor support
Similar Products Used:
shoes by Specialized, Diadora, Shimano
Bike Setup:
Cannondale F600, shimano clipless pedals
Bottom Line:
These shoes didn't work for me. I'm 175 lbs -- maybe that had something to do with it. Great looking but poor support -- not stiff enough and the footbed seemed to be the wrong shape -- not enough arch support, maybe. I sent 'em back.
I have also tried similar "hybrid"-style shoes by Cannondale, Shimano, and Diadora, and none of them worked for me -- only a good quality racing-style MTB or road shoe has given me the support I need for total performance, dude!
My advice is, if you are going to do any serious trail riding, get a racing-style, stiff, overbuilt shoe, not a shoe that tries to be all things to all people.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill
a Weekend Warrior
from Hollywood, FL Date Reviewed: September 21, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
jensonUSA.com
Strengths:
Great price, looks and fit
Weaknesses:
none noted
Bike Setup:
Cannondale ridgid with full XT
Bottom Line:
Great shoe for the price. Very comfortable and feet stay cool in them. This is my first pair of clipless shoes and I was pleasantly surprised with the Answer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DR. DRE
a Weekend Warrior
from BOOGIE-DOWN PRODUCTIONZ Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002
Favorite Trail:
ANYTHING STEEP & TECHNICAL
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$58.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Amazingly easy to clean,not too hot in the summer, not too cold in the winter. Beautifully sculpted rugged sole underneath. Hard rubber spikes in the front were a very good idea. Reflective strip on the back def adds visibility. Very durable so far.
Weaknesses:
No half sizes. Other than that i don't think people will run into any major problems with this shoe.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale, Shimano, Northwave, Nike.
Bike Setup:
Freeride baby!~
Bottom Line:
The perfect shoe for anyone who is not racing. Def one of the best shoes out this year. Perfect for the trail rider who comes in contact with a lot of hike-a-bike sections. Can be worn when not riding and no one will be the wiser. very comfortable and good durable all around shoe.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Newport, KY (USA) Date Reviewed: April 10, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Wherever I'm riding today!
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$58.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Durable. Easy-to-clean materials. Comfortable. Perfect for my needs...cycle commuting and bike-n-hiking. Price (if you can find them at this price still). Great traction when portaging in the mud and like the built in soft toe spikes.
Weaknesses:
Laces instead of straps and nothing covering laces.
2000 Rocky Mountain Fusion, stock except for Rock Shox Judy Race fork, WTB Trail Grips and Shimano SPD 536 pedals.
Bottom Line:
I'd highly recommend these shoes to just about anyone except the hardcore rider/racer. I've used them off road and on, and I've been very pleased. I assumed I'd sacrifice some on-the-bike performance to gain a little off-the-bike versatility. But I can't tell that I've really given up that much. The soles are stiffer than you'd expect for a recreational shoe, and the materials are super durable. I'd buy another pair in a heartbeat, even at a higher price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Troy Gerena
a Weekend Warrior
from Coral Springs , FL. Date Reviewed: November 9, 2001
Favorite Trail:
All of Markham park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$79.00
Purchased At:
sun&ski
Strengths:
Can walk in and drive to trails in. Good power transfer to clipless pedals.
Weaknesses:
none, we'll see.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized sport MTB=great shoe.
Bike Setup:
Diamondback XR-4
Bottom Line:
If your looking for a shoe you can really beat on. Pick these.But if your on the market for a racing shoe. Their not for you. But, what do I know, I ride 3-4 times a week And don't race. Would like to one day,I think the shoes would be heavy. But for now,Riding is the best drug.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Buddy
a Weekend Warrior
from Rogers, AR, USA Date Reviewed: August 15, 2001
Favorite Trail:
the one i'm on
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$79.00
Purchased At:
Fayettville Bicycle Company
Strengths:
Good price, fits well, good power transfer to pedal, can be upgraded to clipless
Weaknesses:
None as of yet. Will let you know in six months.
Similar Products Used:
Too many to list
Bike Setup:
Factory '00 M-60, toe clips removed
Bottom Line:
So far for the money I am pleased. I am new to this sport (but I like it!) As a FNG, it can be difficult to filter through all of the bull s@#t advertising (i.e. this shoe does this or does that) but the guys at Fayetteville Bike Company helped me with the selection. I do like the extra tread on the shoe (for some reason I do a lot of hike a bike) and in loose soil and rocks the shoe performs well. I gave 3 chilis for value, 4 chilis overall, nothing is perfect. This shoe is a good shoe for the person wahting to spend less than 100 bucks, and learn more about the sport when it comes to proper equipment.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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