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Submitted by
boscoboy
a Weekend Warrior
from Wilmington, DE
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Middle Run | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Strengths: | Comfortable - comes in wide width | | Weaknesses: | straps and racheting system suck - i have right shoe strap bolted on because it came off | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Supercaliber XT/XTR | | Bottom Line: | These shoes are pricey - I'm not too happy about taking a drill to my shoes to make them work- Very stiff sole is great when you are riding but not the best if you are off the bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn Shaikun
a Weekend Warrior
from Buffalo NY
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Sprague Brook | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$240.00 | | Purchased At: | Park Ave Bike Roch N | | Strengths: | Typical nice feel of Sidi's. You can tighten them down, get good kick, but they stay comfortable | | Weaknesses: | Not really a mountain bike shoe. A road shoe with a few poorly designed cleats on bottom. Sidi needs to do their homework. You are taking your life in your hands on slippery surfaces whether mud, loose, or slippery rock adn especially beware walking on wooden bridges. If you are off the bike and need traction and balance don't count on it. Bottom is not wide enough for good balance, cleats have no grip. I can't imagine that anyone who mountain bikes designed these. If on flat dry trails, or you don't have to get off the bike, then no problem. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Blur XC and Jamis Dragon hardtail, both with XT/X-9 drivetrains. | | Bottom Line: | If you ride a variety of terrain, including off the bike sections that require sound footing, I would suggest look elsewhere. If you want more of a road shoe, ride on trails where off the bike traction is not critical, they are fine. 3 Chili's in spite of criticism for their comfort and power delivery. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
heatstroke
a Weekend Warrior
from Miri, Malaysia
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | I've used dominators/eagles for 10 years. On average lasting 3 years each.
I would have given 5 chillies for the earlier models, but this is a review on the current set, so only 1 chillie | | Weaknesses: | BUT something has changed recently, my last pair completly delaminated in less than 30 rides. Dissapointed with the recent performance. \\\ | | Similar Products Used: | A couple of other shimanos, but only dominators for the past 10 yrs | | Bike Setup: | mojo | | Bottom Line: | this is a review on the current set, so only 1 chillie | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
barry cox
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I am on | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Dukes | | Strengths: | Fit, comfort | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano M-182 | | Bike Setup: | Fully rigid singlespeed 29-er | | Bottom Line: | For the price Sidi charges for these shoes, I think it is completely lame that you have to purchase the toe spikes separately, especially given the comments of others on the toe cleats wearing out quickly without the spikes. Because of the position of the spikes on the sole, I could not use the spikes from my old Shimano M-182's, and had to buy the dedicated Sidi spikes.
Interestingly, Sidi did see fit to put a sheet of about 20 Sidi stickers in the middle of the owner's manual. If anyone at Sidi is reading this, take note - I would much rather not have the stickers, and have the spikes come with the shoes. I suspect that most others will agree.
Once on the trail, though, I have no complaints - great fit and very light, and after a couple of rides, they are as comfortable as a pair of slippers. Given the price, I hope they last well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Central Va
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | pisgah | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | comfort, light weight | | Weaknesses: | sole wears fast and is flexy. Uppers are flexy. $$$$$ | | Similar Products Used: | lots, mostly Shimano | | Bottom Line: | Followup to prior, just to emphasize that first impressions mean less than long term experience. Very comfortable and light shoe that needs the toe spikes in just to protect the fast wearing lugs on the sole. The lugs are too short to protect the cleats, too. The upper and sole are very flexy. This is a great shoe for pleasant pleasure riding, but if you put the power down, and you have previously used shoes with stiff uppers and carbon soles, you will notice the power and control loss. I'm a wimp, and I sure do. 4 chillies is generous. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Collin
a
from SC
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | Fit | | Weaknesses: | Velcro weak, sole of one shoe totally seperated from shoe at just under 1 year of use. Pitiful for $200 shoes | | Similar Products Used: | can't remember all of them | | Bike Setup: | Yes it is set up | | Bottom Line: | These shoes fit very good but at less than one year of use the left shoe's sole completely sepersted from the shoe. I have had $50 shoes last 3X as long. The only reason I gave it a 2 is for the fit | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wonko
a Cross Country Rider
from Seatte, WA
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$220.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Fit, stiffness, buckle, comfortable on the bike | | Weaknesses: | Wear out quickly, velcros, price | | Similar Products Used: | Sidi Aggressor, Sidi Dominator 2, a couple of different Shimano shoes | | Bike Setup: | SPDs | | Bottom Line: | I am a big fan of Sidi shoes for XC-riding and would not hesitate to recommend them for this purpose. However, for longer rides that involve hike-a-bike section, especially with rocky terrain, these shoes are a poor choice. The sole was worn out very fast (not the rest of the shoe) and the cleats are exposed.
The velcros are completely useless and because of that and some other points I consider the Dominator 2 a much better shoe. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MARC
a Cross Country Rider
from SANTA ROSA
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | singletrac | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$210.00 | | Purchased At: | cambria | | Strengths: | great fit, comfortable, keep feet dry in the winter. ratchett is great for adjustability, look cool | | Weaknesses: | mud cakes in where the cleat is and does not shed without using a screwdriver or garden hose, they are difficult to clip in, more so than my last shoes | | Similar Products Used: | six six one attack | | Bike Setup: | Zion 853 18" with eccentric rear hub 32:18 gearing SS fox vanilla RLC up front motoraptor 2.4 in the front with panaracer2.1 in the rear shimano 959s. | | Bottom Line: | For the price the mud should shed well, the part of the sole that keeps the mud in also makes clipping in difficult, ie: bad sole design. the shoe above the sole is great. I think these shoes will be great for the spring,summer, fall. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Warehouse | | Strengths: | Comfort
Style
Durability | | Weaknesses: | PRICE! | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano
Nike | | Bike Setup: | 2007 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Elite | | Bottom Line: | What a fantastic shoe when compared to some lesser Shimano and Nike competitors. Now let me say, I am used to cheap pairs so this may not be a fari comparo. I however did decide to splurg and get this pair. Total difference. If you can stomach blowing 200 bills on a shoe that you'll only wear on a bike, then go for it. You won't be upset. I've got 500 miles with 2, 10+ hour races on mine and they're going to be good for another 6 months at least. I will be hard pressed not to get another pair when these wear out. Better start saving now! | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light, straps adjustable on the fly, comfortable | | Weaknesses: | expensive. sole is stiff, not carbon fiber stiff - better for walking, but worse for riding. plastic lugs are slippery | | Similar Products Used: | many, mostly shimano | | Bottom Line: | Nice shoes. Hope they're durable. Ridiculously expensive | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josef
a Racer
from San Luis Obispo, CA, US
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Very comfortable and solid. Straps stay tight | | Weaknesses: | The grip on the soles wear extremely fast. Not good if you hike up rocky trails frequently. Material tears around edges of sole. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano DX Shoes | | Bike Setup: | Mallets and SPD's. | | Bottom Line: | Only complaint besides the price is the fact that the shoes wear really fast. I've had them for about 5 months and its already time for a new pair. I'd reccomend getting some sort of short spikes to screw into the toe area to add some extra grip to the sole; otherwise your sole will be gone in months. Definently worth the $80 bucks I spent on a second hand pair on eBay. (They looked new when I got them, only a few prior ride). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | chimney rock | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$189.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | fit, comfort, stiffness, can't go wrong with Sidi | | Weaknesses: | none..... | | Similar Products Used: | carnac, specialized, Diadora, shimano | | Bike Setup: | Felt RXC Pro, XTR, etc... | | Bottom Line: | Used Sidi for over 10 yrs, tried others but I am always coming back to SIDI's the best fit, comfort, when I use SIDI I never have to think about my feet, which means that they are comfortable, unlike other shoes I tried, .... if you don't think about your shoes you could think about the Trails, logs, rock garden, which line you are going to take going down the downhill tech. section....... enough said | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | China Camp | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Incredible comfort, sole stiffness, easy entry and ratcheting, light weight, good for mountain or road | | Weaknesses: | Straps could be a bit longer (I use an orthodotic insert) | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano road and mtb shoes | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper Expert, stock except for Terry Fly saddle | | Bottom Line: | My Shimano shoes were getting old and feeling stiff and uncomfortable. The moment I tried these on I thought, "Damn, those Italians KNOW shoes!" I had to get these. Most expensive shoes I've EVER owned, but worth every penny, just like my Naot sandals from Israel. I left the store wearing the Naots and I almost did the same with the Sidis, they felt that comfortable. My first ride in them felt great - no hot spots, no numbness, just comfort and control. I should have bought these years ago. The cost earns 4 chilis, although there are more expensive shoes out there. Speaking of those sandals, I once rode Newberry Crater (near Bend, Oregon) in them and bike socks because I left my shoes behind. The sandals are still doing well. Quality is always worth the extra cost. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fatt Freddie
a Cross Country Rider
from Vallejo CA USA
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | South Valley | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$219.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | The closure system is pretty good. | | Weaknesses: | Craftsmanship. | | Similar Products Used: | Sidi Eagle | | Bike Setup: | Ventana | | Bottom Line: | I could not be more disappointed that these are no longer made in Italy. What is the world coming to ? Will there no longer be the option to purchase products that are not made in sweatshops ? Maybe Eastern Europe is not as bad as China, but you can bet that the people working at the factory in SOLVENIA are not the old-world craftsmen (and women) who once made Sidi's. Quality is WAY down, workmanship is not terrible, but material quality has declined significantly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Filip
a Weekend Warrior
from Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Ganaraska Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles Plus | | Strengths: | Wicked design, super comfy, good fit, super adjustable. | | Weaknesses: | Easy to scuff the plastic tightener for the strap. | | Bike Setup: | Giant Iguana, Crank Bros. Smarty Pedals | | Bottom Line: | I got the best deal a man could get. $120 Canadian (so about $100 American) for a pair of new, still in the box, Sidi Dominator 5's. As they were my first pair of clipless shoes, so I didnt know much about them. I was told that they needed to get rid of the shoes for next year's shipments. Looking good, and fitting good, I decided to buy them, not know how much of a deal I got. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ernie
a Cross Country Rider
from Mililani, Hawaii
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Amazing comfort! | | Weaknesses: | Cost, but you get what you pay for and these are worth it! I feel that feet comfort is very important on the road and on the trail and when just walking about. | | Similar Products Used: | Answer, Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8000, Shimano XT, Time Attack alum | | Bottom Line: | Great shoe, wish I had got these from the get-go. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles
a Cross Country Rider
from California
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Comfort, fit, and oh yeah there Sidi's | | Weaknesses: | Expensive | | Similar Products Used: | Sidi Techno | | Bike Setup: | '99 Ibis Mojo SID XTR, '94 Mojo Judy SL XTR | | Bottom Line: | I didn't think cycling shoes could get anymore comfortable than my old Sidi's, but then I got these. Great shoes. SUper adjustable, easy to set up. Sure they're expensive but my old sidi's have lasted TEN years and they're still going so you can't say you don't get your money's worth. Forget the cheaper shoes you've been looking at and just buy these. You won't regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neil
a
from UK & Finland
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$209.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Amazing fit, soooo comfortable! | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialzed, Shimano, Scott shoes. | | Bike Setup: | hardtail with standard eggbeaters | | Bottom Line: | I've just got these so I can't properly comment on durability or other issues, but I just had to post to say how amazingly comfy they are and how this is largely down to the massive range of fitting options, something that you may not have full advantage of if you buy them mail order (as I nearly did). These shoes come in HALF EUROPEAN SIZES, i.e. the equivalent of 1/4 US or UK sizes, but you might not know this as most mailorder places only sell the full Euro sizes as their computer and/or stock systems aren't set up for the halfs. That combined with the normal or mega width options means that you should be able to get a /perfect/ fit, but you will need to try them on to get it right! I was all ready to buy a 44 normal width mailorder and was even worrying that this might be a bit short, but ended up finding a shop where I could try them on and came away with a 43.5 mega (wide). These things feel like they are tailored to my feet, I don't want to take them off! This also means that there is no slop when the shoe is on the pedal (but no pinching either) and it's really easy to set things up so that the cleat is just in the right place. I love these shoes already and I've hardly used them yet... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christian
a Racer
from worcester ma
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$220.00 | | Strengths: | super | | Weaknesses: | non | | Bike Setup: | scott scale 10 | | Bottom Line: | they are great | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Grapevine
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | LBH | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$230.00 | | Purchased At: | Richardson Bike Mart | | Strengths: | form fit, stiffness, sole wear is minimal. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Nike Alpin | | Bike Setup: | GF- Sugar 3+
Titus Racer X | | Bottom Line: | Overall a great shoe. I decided to get them as a result of different friends liking them. The fit is great and comfortable. Hope to have them for some time to come. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Flanagan
a Cross Country Rider
from Staffordshire UK
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Coed-y-Brenin | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$137.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Quality Construction. Ability to micro-fit.Lorica material. Lightness. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Numerous Shimano Cycling Shoes | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Prophet 2000 | | Bottom Line: | As a lifelong user of Shimano cycling shoes when my old Shimano M60's started looking very tired, I decided to try out some Sidi's. One of my riding mates had got a pair and was raving about them so I decided to see what all the fuss was about. I located some Dominator 5's on E-bay and got them for a bargain. The first thing I noticed was how light they were. You can really adjust them, so you get the absolute perfect fit. Out on the trail they have just the right amount of stiffness and the Lorica material is very hard wearing and tough. For all you XC people out there,they really are a top shoe | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
colin
a
from SLO, CA
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | My yard | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$175.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | Sidi's last a very long time, comfortable, just the right stiffness | | Weaknesses: | Ratched catches weeds, much worse than my old Sidi's | | Similar Products Used: | Sidi Techno Fire, Specialized (way back when), Carnac. | | Bike Setup: | Heckler, Marzochii All Mtn. 1 | | Bottom Line: | I have had the Dom 5's for about a month (approx. 15 rides) and they are great. They are just the right stiffness without losing feel for what the bike is doing. They are a great All Mtn shoe but if you are going big (big gaps, 10ft+ drops) you already know these aren't the shoes for you.
My last pair of Sidi's lasted 9 seasons of hard riding on rocky and technical trails before the twist lock (Sidi Techno Fire) gave out when I overtightened them. Sidi's handle wet very well and don't get all stretched out like some other shoes.
As for value, what's better, paying $100 for a shoe that lasts 2 seasons or $175 for shoes that last 10 years?
My only complaint is that the new style of ratchet catches weeds and other crap in them making it hard to release. They also stick out further than my old Techno's, which is lame, so I am only giving them 4 chilis overall.
I have read some people complain the tread wears out quickly--what are you doing walking in them? They are bike shoes, ride your bike with them. Take pride in clearing that tough climb, don't walk it!
Bottom line is that these are the best XC or All Mtn shoes on the market. They will last you many years and you will not regret buying them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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$ 230.00
