Ultimate off-road racing shoe loaded with features for 2004. Uses Specialized''s patented Body Geometry Technology to improve performance and reduce riding induced injuries.
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Sisters, Oregon USA Date Reviewed: April 27, 2006
Favorite Trail:
SBT
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$125.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Light, good looking shoe. Relatively comfortable secure fit.
Weaknesses:
Replaced the straps twice, because they would no longer tighten or release properly. And they are doing it again. Velcro no longer sticks at the toe straps.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, 2 styles.
Bike Setup:
Titus 100-x, Talas, Avid, XT and XTR.
Bottom Line:
Liked the way they felt and looked, but not the way they worked. Also seem to be incompatible with Time cleats, despite major surgery. I am back to my old Shimanos, and clipping in is so much easier. I'm hoping to pass them down to the local HS team.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Chatham, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: September 21, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Comfort, well ventilated
Weaknesses:
The Toe spikes come out easy, but a quick dab of loctight on the trheads when you put them in takes care of that
Similar Products Used:
Old Shimano Lace ups
Bike Setup:
03 Specialized Rockhopper FSR-XC a bit better then stock...
Bottom Line:
These shoes are fantastic. They are so comfortable, great for an afternoon ride or a three day push. I have a wide foot with narrow ankle so I find it difficult to find shoes that don’t slip off my feet when there is a good pull. In the past I had to have my old Shimano lace ups tied so tight that my feet ached. These shoes are not like that at all, my foot does not come out of them. I tried a pair of Sidis and my foot came out with one good yank. There is no foot pain or knee pain with these shoes at all for me. No pain is almost like a novelty for me when I comes to cycling shoes. The Body Geometry insole helped clean up my form as well. Over all I think they are a high quality shoe for a reasonable cost.
I have had no problems with the buckles.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brett Wolmarans
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Gatos, CA Date Reviewed: May 25, 2005
Favorite Trail:
St. Josephs
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$119.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Look great, nice tight fit and buckle holds my ankle down well without cutting off circulation. Stiff sole (but not as stiff as Pro MTB Carbon that sells for $200! )
Weaknesses:
The red release button on the left shoe got stuck after 1 ride and I have to wiggle it and cinch the buckle tighter while pushing it down to get it to release. I'll probably put a small strip of duct tape over both buckels for my next rides because they do seem rather fragile, and if that part breaks the shoe is transformed into a paperweight.
Bottom Line:
Good deal for the money, it's about $50 - $60 less than the other decent buckle shoes I looked at.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Hunter
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane, Qld, Australia Date Reviewed: May 5, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Clear Mountain DH
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$195.00
Purchased At:
Bike Shop
Strengths:
Very Comfortable once they are broken in
Weaknesses:
The Sole design is pathetic, especially the heal. The treads just break off, both of my heals have no tread left. Also the ratchet release, a push button that faces the way you are riding, every bit of grass, stick, leaves or anything else gets stuck under the red release trigger, have already snapped one off after clipping a stick
Similar Products Used:
Diadora MTB shoe
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Jpshua F1 with Fox Vanilla RLC
Bottom Line:
Don't buy these shoes if you do any sort of riding that would require you to get off and walk up steep slopes, bit hard to grip, when there is no tread. Also if you do any serious single track riding with allot of low vegetation around
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kelly Morris
a Cross Country Rider
from Bainbridge Island, WA USA Date Reviewed: March 22, 2005
Favorite Trail:
kcmorris@msn.com
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Stiff sole, excellent ratcheting system on buckles, body geometry insole works extremely well, excellent traction, well designed reinforced toe box, excellent ventilation. An understated and good looking shoe.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
SIDI, Shimano
Bike Setup:
Shimano SPD clipless pedals
Bottom Line:
This is a value packed shoe for the money. I've been riding wet winter conditions in the NW with these shoes for the last six months. The sole design has very good traction on mud, sand, rock and wet rooted trails and fits the Shimano SPD type clips excellently. The toe box is roomy and well ventilated and is reinforced to protect your toes from trailside objects like rocks and logs. The uppers fabric material is soft, but dosn't stretch like SIDI's. The Ratchets on the buckles have held up well and are very intuitive - easy to adjust wile riding. Also, the body geometry sole tilts your foot, and knees slightly outward, away from the frame. This seems to take pressure off the knees, especially when cranking up steep sections. The bgd insole is also fits my foot well. and is very comfortable - especially after they were ridden for a couple weeks. I've been lucky with these shoes as have exceeded my expectations in all respects. I've had similar success with other Specialized products. I highly recommend these to anyone that wants value for their money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Worcester, MA Date Reviewed: May 29, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$129.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Extremely comfortable, grip pretty well, not the worst looking of pro style shoes, didn't have to cut away sole for Crank Bros. cleats, bonus!
Weaknesses:
buckles could be a little stronger, a not very intense side impact with a rock did one in
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale and Shimano
Bike Setup:
'03 Specialized Epic Comp frame,'04 Fox Brain, Fox F80 Fork, Crank Bros Candy SLs, Azonic CF-1 bars, XT Hydraulic discs, ODI lock-ons, Panaracer Fire XCs
Bottom Line:
I may be the toughest person to shop for shoes with, my feet are large, size 13 and nothing ever fits them both very well. I put these on and was in heaven, my wife couldn't believe it because they were the first one's I tried on! They were tight at first but have broken in nicely. I can ride with them for hours and get no numbness in my toes or any soreness at all. They aren't even all that bad to walk in either. Traction is good, even on rock they are alright, the toe spikes really help when pushing up those impossible inclines. They are the most expensive piece of footwear I have purchased in a long time but worth every penny.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Del
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston MA Date Reviewed: April 25, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Loft
Strengths:
Construction, Grippy Sole, The fit
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Sidi, Shimano, Diadora
Bike Setup:
SC Blur
Bottom Line:
For anybody who needs extra room in the toe box but does not not need an E width/Mega fit shoe look no further. I liked my Sidi's but for sixty dollars less these shoes are just as comfortable and the BG insole works great. The sole is also grippier than Sidi and Shimano which is a plus when you live in the North East. So far so good.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mongo
a Cross Country Rider
from bend Date Reviewed: March 23, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$120.00
Strengths:
great construction, comfortable, solid ratchet and easy to disengage
Weaknesses:
had to cut out some sole for 959's to have sufficient clearance, neoprene sock makes for snug on/off
Similar Products Used:
my 9 year old pointy toed shimanos
Bike Setup:
one of the nicest 5" dually's
Bottom Line:
cheaper than sidi, probably better construction, definately felt like better protection in the toe/heel area then sidi. also after dealing with difficult sidi buckles on my road shoe, i decided not to go that route again. i have not ridden these enough to have a final vote on the Body Geometry stuff, they seem comfortable. The weaknesses i listed are not a big deal at all, just some things I noticed. I like the roomy toe box.
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