Ultimate off-road racing shoe with a host of new features for 2003. Uses Specialized''s patented Body Geometry Technology to improve performance and reduce riding induced injuries.
Submitted by
Don
a Cross Country Rider
from TN Date Reviewed: December 28, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Any fast rolling single track
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$125.00
Purchased At:
MTN Sports
Strengths:
Tough, durable, built to last
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
03 Cannondale F800 SL Time Attack pedals (stock), 99 Jamis Explorer (Thompson post and stem, Fizik saddle, Time Attack pedals)Fox fork XT crank and BB etc, ect, 03 Specialized Hard Rock Pro (stock mostly) Time Attack pedals
Bottom Line:
I've worn these shoes for two years now and can't imagine anything better! I’ve hit rocks and logs at full speed with no serious problems. Once, I had to walk down a rocking single track and fire road 3 miles wearing these shoes after loosing two tubes with the bike strapped to my pack. I won’t say it was pleasant but it wasn’t that bad either. I can’t sing the praises of these shoes enough!!! I’d recommend these to anyone looking for a tough pair of mtn biking shoes.
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Submitted by
Pete Hall
a Racer
from Ann Arbor MI Date Reviewed: February 6, 2005
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Stiff sole rachet buckle works well, stays tight durable uppers
Weaknesses:
traction lugs fall off after 6 months use velcro wears out and dosent hold after 1.5 years use
Similar Products Used:
Nike shoes, Specialized Comp Mountain
Bottom Line:
These are great shoes for the first year overall. I have been very happy with them. The point of my review is to ward away those looking for a long term (2+ years) shoe. The traction lugs on the sole wear off rather quickly. In my first season racing on them the lugs around the toe and ball of the foot simply fell off. After time the velcro wears out, but this happens in any shoe. For the two seasons that I raced on them they have served me well, a very stiff, light weight and efficent shoe at a great price. FYI, these are best bought from a shop. You absoulutly have to try them on on account of the Body Geometry built into the shoe. Its not something you can simply cut out, it is built into the sole of the shoe. If they are comfortable, they are very comfortable. Otherwise, stear clear.
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Submitted by
Marcus75
a Weekend Warrior
from LA, CALI Date Reviewed: May 24, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Any Singletrack
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
fit, Body Geometry really works, racket system is very adjustable and durable, durable bottom soles.
Weaknesses:
The Toe Box is little too wide, but it be my feet.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Comp and other cheapo MTB shoe.
Bike Setup:
Specialized Enduro Pro w/ Answer Protaper Carbon handlebar, epicwolf 2.1 tires, thomson seatpost, WTB laser V saddle, CB Mallet M Pedals.
Bottom Line:
This was a upgrade to my specialized comp shoe that I rode on for many years. I think the body geometry actually works for me because these are the most Comfortable MTB shoe I had so far. The rachet system really tight and supports my ankle very well. After about a year of riding these are very tough. Even when I hike a bike, they are very comfortable to walk on because the soles hasn't fell apart yet like other lesser MTB shoes. The velco and rachet say very tight after many hours walking and riding. The price is modest compare to Sidi. I highly recommend these for people who are looking for a tight and comfortable fit.
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Submitted by
Guillermo Alonso
a Weekend Warrior
from Guadalajara, Jalisco Date Reviewed: May 3, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$170.00
Purchased At:
Authorized dealer
Strengths:
Great fit, neoprene, spikes
Weaknesses:
Sole wore off after a dozen rides !
Similar Products Used:
Shimano M150, Pearl Izumi Vortex, Axo Viper, Nike Cairns, etc.
Bike Setup:
Custom built Kona Bear
Bottom Line:
As soon as I get these shoes I couldnt believe how comfortable were they, best fit ever, but after about a dozen rides the "soft" rubber in the sole not only wore off, they actually fell somewhere on the trail, and the ones left are delaminating real fast, these shoes are light, but if that means youll get a road shoes after some rides on the trail, youll be better with something else
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Submitted by
Grommett
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix,AZ Date Reviewed: November 28, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Fountain Hills race loops
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$125.00
Purchased At:
South Mountain Cycle
Strengths:
Comfort, BG works really well, very stiff
Weaknesses:
could use a bit more arch support--personal preference
Similar Products Used:
other specialized shoes, sidi, nike(hated them)
Bike Setup:
1998 Sworks HT 2004 Sworks Epic
Bottom Line:
They fit like a glove in the store and put a huge smile on my face once on the trail. I would recommend going a little tight in the store because they do stretch (in the width) and I prefer a snug technical shoe. The body geometry worked very well with my feet and was incredibly comfortable. I didn't experience any of the numbness or pain I did with some other shoes...bottom line-put them on in the store, snug them up and walk around/ sit with them on for 10 minutes and if you like them-BUY THEM! Worth every cent!!
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Submitted by
high flyer
a Racer
from graass valley ca. Date Reviewed: September 12, 2003
Favorite Trail:
B.C in general
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$149.00
Strengths:
stiffest sole ever!!! very comfortable and the buckle makes it very easy to get them tight. the colors are good and the body geometry w/ the varius wedge totally takes all the lateral pressure off your knees and ankles
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
sidi dom 4's, answer palisade, specialized sport mountain(00)
the best shoes ive ever tried. very comfortable and the ultra stiff soles makes power loss non-existant, good value for what you get as well. definantly a pro level shoe but good for all.
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Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: June 23, 2003
Favorite Trail:
that one..you know, that one.
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Gregg's Greenlake Special Order
Strengths:
Stiff sole. Two velcro straps and one click buckle. Style (counts for something). Comfort. Nice stiff toe front. Easy to hike-a-bike in. Neoprene sock top to keep crud out.
Weaknesses:
Price. for those who don't like the idea of white MTB shoes, they come in grey and red.
Similar Products Used:
Sidi Dom's (for 7 years..loyal to Sidi till now).
Bike Setup:
Specialized M4, Time Atacs, CK head, Psylo 03 Race, Lopes Bling Blings, Hayes Hydro and one kick-@$$ bell.
Bottom Line:
Since I have been riding Sidi's for 7 years I was looking for a change of pace. I was looking to save a few bucks and spend $150 (specialized) instead of $189 (Sidi). Turns out I think it's a better shoe.
I must be fortunate compared to many other reviews. These shoes are super comfy on the trail. Most of my riding is XC and single-track. Pedals are Time ATAC Z pedals so I didn't have to shave part of the sole off the shoe...near perfect fit.
I like being able to click tighten the top part of the shoe if it gets soaked and starts to slip/loosen. Three straps/buckles are great. I tried these on side by side with the newest 03 Sidi Dom's. These felt best.
I wear a 10.5 (EU 44) and had to custom order these since they weren't carried in stock at a LBS. Haven't had to swap sole's on these.
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Submitted by
Learux
a
from Valencia Date Reviewed: June 7, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
supergo
Strengths:
see below
Weaknesses:
see below
Similar Products Used:
see below
Bike Setup:
see below
Bottom Line:
OK this is an update from pervious review.
I took a stanley knife and operated the original insole.
Took away the so called body geometry and now the shoes fit perfect. No more pain this BG is easy to cut out and then gives you a regular insole. The new insoles I bought will be returned so the shoes are once again $150.
Now I am very happy with them. We' ll see how they hold up. I bike around 5 * 1.5 hours a week. Will write new review in 6 month.
Happy trails
Learux
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Submitted by
Learux
a
from Valencia Date Reviewed: June 6, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$150.00
Strengths:
Looks, Sole stiffness
Weaknesses:
Extreme pain under ball of foot first 10 rides. Innersole the BG is not for me
Similar Products Used:
Scott shoes
Bike Setup:
Epic with avid disk
Bottom Line:
In the store these shoes fit liek the proverbial glove. On my first ride I noticed very numb feet and a lot of pain.
I started playing with the cleat position and this solved it a bit. Still a lot of pain and numbness.
The body geometry insole was the culprit. I changed that to a regular insole and the pain is gone. I really like the shoe now. That was another $20 so they are $170 shoes now.
I suggest you try the BG first It really wasn't for me.
It is a quality shoes but didnt fit right. I dont think it is right that you have to modify a $150 shoe to make it work. I might be an isolated problem See for yourself cause thay are well crafted beautifull shoes!!
Learux
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Submitted by
adamant
a
from denver, co Date Reviewed: February 3, 2003
Favorite Trail:
***
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$150.00
Strengths:
Designed by a sports med doctor less $ than comparable sidi
Weaknesses:
more rubber on front part of sole, for walking on rocks US/ UK sizing bogus. Euro sizing seems accurate
Similar Products Used:
Sidi Dom 4
Bike Setup:
2003 Specialized S-works Enduro
Bottom Line:
Positives: 2 velcro and 1 plastic ratchet buckles. Wide, roomy toe box. Designed by a sports med doctor, so there was some thought going into the soles...check the Specialized website for details. Shoe felt neutral when pedaling. Longest ride so far at 3 hours, no problems. Will update review after more use.
Negatives: I got size 43.5, which specialized somehow equates to a US 10.5 (9.5 US more accurate).
For riding in Utah, I might put some climbing shoe rubber on the front part of the sole, making them easier to walk in(spotting friends on steep nar-nar).
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Submitted by
Ryan
a Racer
from macon, georgia Date Reviewed: January 15, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
the '03 Specialized Pro shoe is awesome.after riding my the 98 team shoes for 3 years it's amazing how much better they are.and with the new body geometry soles and 2 straps with the ratcheting buckle,and half sizes a perfect fit is almost a gauarantee.
Weaknesses:
maybe the slickness of wet rocks but that's pretty much a trait for all shoes
Similar Products Used:
98 Specialized team shoes,diadora chiles,answer accelerators
this shoe is everything i expected.i love everything about it and just makes riding my bike even more fun.the cost is somewhat a turnoff but it's on the same line as the sidi dominators in price and quality.an outstanding shoe that i recommend to everybody that loves riding their bike
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