Submitted by
Jim S
a Cross Country Rider
from Louisville, KY Date Reviewed: March 31, 2002
Favorite Trail:
all of 'em
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
super stiff sole, lightweight, look great, fit great
Weaknesses:
inner sock thingy feels a little tight at times
Similar Products Used:
Diadora, Shimano
Bike Setup:
Stumpjumper M4 Pro
Bottom Line:
I really dig these shoes. All the "Body Geometry" technology really makes a difference. The little, wrap-a-round inner sock thingy feels tight occasionally (I don't know why its not all the time) but its not uncomfortable enough to ditch the shoes. Wow are these shoes light and stiff!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben Gilmore
a Cross Country Rider
from North Ogden Date Reviewed: March 30, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Rainbow and Bonneville
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Bingham's Cyclery
Strengths:
Super stiff sole, Body Geometry Tech, and it has Three Velcrow straps!
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Old clipless Shimano shoes
Bike Setup:
'96 Specialized S-works FSR, X'vert Super, XTR (all but Paul rear Derailluer, and GripShift shifters), Body geometry saddle, Hugi 240 hubs laced to Specialized rims
Bottom Line:
One heck of a shoe! The Body Geometry Technology is no joke!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Cincinnati, Ohio Date Reviewed: March 26, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Cave Run Lake, KY
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$145.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Sport
Strengths:
These shoes are great. I always suffered from my big toes falling asleep, the BG insole seems to have cured me of this. The soles are stiff, and the uppers very breathable. 3 velco straps and laces allow alot of adjustability.
Weaknesses:
My heel slips when I walk due to the stiff sole.
Similar Products Used:
Diadora Chili's, Older Specialized Ground Control's, Lake, Shimano's
Bike Setup:
Jamis Dragon, Time ATAC's
Bottom Line:
I like these shoes alot. The stiff sole really makes you feel like none of your power is lost. My feet are very comfortable now compared to all of my past shoes. The Body Geometry insole will feel weird intially when trying these shoes on, but once pedaling you won't notice it. I have bunions and they aren't bothered by these shoes at all.
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Submitted by
Jana Lingo
a
from Hershey, PA Date Reviewed: December 30, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Strengths:
Most comfptable cycling shoes i've ever owned
Weaknesses:
Hard to walk in
Similar Products Used:
Specialized, Nikem, Carnacs
Bottom Line:
as I said, these shoes are the most comfortbale pair of cycling shoes I have ever owned (so far..) Walking is a bit diffcult, mainly due to stiff sole, Which is a comprimise I can live with. If you have Flatt feet , you probably should avoid these, due to the BG contured insole.I have noticed with workmanship whatsoever. The price could be a little cheaper, but I did pay it. A very good par of shoes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Clay E Ewing
a Weekend Warrior
from Corpus Christi, TX Date Reviewed: October 30, 2001
Favorite Trail:
anything north of here
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$149.00
Strengths:
Accustomed to heavy, stiff, leather Carnac Evolution shoes (their top of the line from almost 6 years ago), I was put off by the thin feeling I got when putting these on at first. The upper snugged nicely around my foot, the sole was rigor mortis stiff, but, I thought, this is not a substantial shoe. I think--after almost a thousand miles--I may have been a bit hasty. These very light, very stiff, well ventilated shoes, may have cured the problems I've had for years with 2 pair of Carnacs, one pair of Diadora: feet that fall asleep after about 35 miles, and a feeling that my foot is not properly aligned with the pedals or my body. Is the Varus Wedge and Metatarsal Button gimmicks or real? I don't know, though maybe after a few more thousand miles I will know. What I'm willing to say thus far is that these shoes are substantial, my feet don't fall asleep anymore, though it's a bit early to really tell about my knees (which are damaged and I'm putting off surgery until I can't put it off any more). The three straps are exceptionally easy to adjust on the fly, the neoprene sock is nice, too. The heel reflector lights up in car headlights, which is great for us commuters. Some of my first mountain bike shoes were Specialized, then I got off on what I was told was "the best" (Carnacs), and, I have to say I've mostly worn out one pair, though the Evolutions just keep going and going. My first two pair of Specialized--so many years ago--were great, and I'm now glad to be back to this brand. I would recommend them, without hesitation.
Weaknesses:
None so far, but the idea that great shoes cost $150 still seems weak to me. But, my Carnacs, 6 years ago, were $240, my hiking boots currently go for $195, even my work shoes (walking type) were $150. I guess I can't get with the program.
Similar Products Used:
Carnac, Diadora, Specialized
Bottom Line:
If you want well designed and well made shoes, and these fit your feet (the Metatarsal Button feels weird at first, but you won't notice it 10 minutes into your first ride), they'll do great for you.
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Submitted by
Chris Lashua
a Cross Country Rider
from Peabody, MA Date Reviewed: October 28, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
local shop
Strengths:
Heals are stiff. Shoe is very comfortable after a few rides.
Weaknesses:
The molded cleats started to separate from the heals after 2 months of 3 time a week riding. Specialized replaced them quickly with no problems, so far so good on the second pair.
Bike Setup:
Schwinn Homegrown FS, Shimano 858
Bottom Line:
Perform great, stiff and comfortable, hopefully will prove to be durable. May not be comfortable for wide feet.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
joe
a Racer
from cedar hill, tx, usa Date Reviewed: October 26, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Bike Barn (Houston)
Strengths:
Strong, durable
Weaknesses:
hurt like hell
Similar Products Used:
just specialized
Bike Setup:
supercal
Bottom Line:
I have tried to get use to the shoe, but after a couple of miles they just hurt. I have to pull up and coast through the trail. If they did not hurt so bad they would be the best.
By the way I do have fallen arches.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
W C
a Weekend Warrior
from southern USA Date Reviewed: June 16, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Ruston
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Very Stiff Sole
Weaknesses:
Heel slippage. Velcro straps had to be trimmed, rubbed pedal. Color(i have the red/yellow/black model may be y2k
Similar Products Used:
Shimano
Bike Setup:
Time ATAC Pedals
Bottom Line:
Shoe fit is subjective to the person wearing them. That being said, great shoe on the bike. They are very stiff, which i like.
I have some heel slip problems when walking. Occasionally have pain on outside of foot oppposite of arch. May be due to over tightening to make up for heel slip. The middle velcro strap rubbed against crankarm which was annoying, i trimmed it with scissors. Not sure why they dont just flip it the other way.
I will probably try something different for my next pair, which may be a few years becasue these seem to be holding up very well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Rockford IL Date Reviewed: June 12, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Strengths:
AWESOME LOOKS,LIGHT WEIGHT, FITS FOOT PERFECTLY
Weaknesses:
NONE
Similar Products Used:
NORTHWAVE
Bike Setup:
2001 TREK 8500 RACE FACE NEXT LP CRANKS,KING HEADSET,FULL XTR,CT2 BAR, SELLE ITALIA FLITE GEL SADDLE, EASTON EA70POST,TIME PEDALS
Bottom Line:
THIS SHOE REALLY FITS MY FOOT WELL, AND IN LONGER RIDES MY ARCH IS NOT SORE GOOD SHOE WELL WORTH THE MONEY!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from T.O. Canada Date Reviewed: May 24, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Hardwood Hills
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$160.00
Purchased At:
Northern Cycle
Strengths:
-WiCKed Looks -Breathes Nice -Stiff Sole -BG Really Fits to the foot well
Weaknesses:
None so far. . . . will update as necessary
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, Airwalk, Lake
Bike Setup:
'99 Trek 8000, XT full, Race Face ect . . .
Bottom Line:
The 3 straps really hold your foot tighly! They look cool, and breath REALLY well. A must have.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose Date Reviewed: April 4, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Demo, UCSC
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$54.00
Strengths:
The color, straps do not cause blisters or numbness in feet, did not get blisters (which is common for me to break in shoes)
These shoes fit like my soccer cleats. I can sprint in them, even though I do not play in them. They hold my feet well with little bend in the sole. I started with azonic platforms and switched to time's, with these shoes put in the picture I could never go back. I highly recommend them to anyone. Especially if you know someone that works at Specialized and can get them for $54. Buy them...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Racer
from Toronto Date Reviewed: March 24, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Great fit,comfortable. not as stiff as it looks, can still walk pretty well. Really cool (air passes right through) Light and looks snazzy
Weaknesses:
A little too cooling at cold temperature, need neoprene bootie. The mid sole slips if you pedal on it unclipped. Need some grips there.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano
Bike Setup:
Columbous Steel road bike with campy parts
Bottom Line:
Great shoe, just need grip in mid sole. I will try grip tape from skateboards.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Forys
a
from Vienna, Austria Date Reviewed: March 13, 2001
Favorite Trail:
tremalzo
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$130.00
Strengths:
great looks, extremely stiff sole, you put this shoe on and it FITS.
Weaknesses:
maybe the comfort an longer walks. (but hey, this is not a walking shoe)
Similar Products Used:
nike, sidi
Bottom Line:
3 straps hold your foot thight. The upper mesh seems breathable, no prob with hot feet so far. The laces are not really neccassary and don´t improve the fit. I bought the shoes one week ago, so i´ll post a following review in a couple of weeks. Best shoes I´ve ever had so far...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a
from Fayetteville Ar Date Reviewed: February 2, 2001
Favorite Trail:
lake leatherwood eureka springs AR
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$135.00
Strengths:
good stiff shoe the new body geometry insole makes it the most comfortable riding shoe i have ever owned
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
specalized comp shoe
Bike Setup:
cannondale F900 time carbon ATAC pedals
Bottom Line:
by far the best riding shoe i have ever used the 3 velcro straps secure the feet tightly in the shoe and the neopreme liner keeps my feet happy and dry excelent shoe!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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