[KRob]

And are they worth it? I see the mesh version on sale from Nashbar for quite a bit less. What's the down side to those? Other brands top of the line shoes like Gaerne, Northwave, and Shimano all seem to go on sale once in a while but I never see anything but 209.99 for the SIDI. Is it kind of like the Alpinestar Tech 8 motorcycle boot of bike shoes? Undisputed top dog and never on sale at a discount? Seems like a lot of dough for a shoe. Heck even the Tech 8's are only 289.99 (always) which is starting to seem like a relative bargain.

 

[Pete]

I like Sidis. Great fit, durability and stiffness.

You can do better than that price:

http://www.totalcycling.com/Templates/frmTemplateX.asp?SubFolderID=80&SearchYN=N

 

[Homebrew]

Lots of imported stuff cost more this year compared with years past. Checked the price of an XT cassette lately? A lot of it has to do with the weak dollar against the foreign currencies. Sidi Dom 4 were about $180 last year but looks like the $209 is the current going rate. I have the Sidi Bullets which are pretty much the same shoe with 3 velcro straps instead of the buckle and 2 straps of the Dom 4. The Bullets are on sale at Performance now for $135 (plus a 20% off coupon and maybe Team points if you're a member).

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=18206&subcategory_ID=2120#

Also note that Sidi half sizes are same length as the whole sizes, only a bit wider. And if you need EEE, try the Mega wide.

I really like the fit and feel of the Sidi but I really wish they used a rubber sole. The hard plastic sole is a little scary in terms of traction.

 

[Pete]

Sidi Dom 4 were about $180 last year but looks like the $209 is the current going rate.

$157 from the link in my post.

 

[Spookykinkajou]

i have the red white and blue mesh version. like them a lot but some of you may recall my complaining at first. i suppose they need to be broken in or maybe i got used to them.

i hated them at first for a number of reasons but now i find them to be super comfy. the traction still sucks but i've gotten used to it and since the sole is all scratched up they seem to grab rocks a tad better.

they seem to be way more durable than i expected considering how soft and comfy they are.

i like the function of the buckle but it gets stuck way too often. I've discovered that's not such a big deal since i can just pull it off then work the buckle out with my foot out of the shoe.

the sole is super stiff. specialized's top of the line soles are stiffer, imo. i have both. the sidi's seem to be more comfy for long rides on my road bike. after a while i get a hot foot on the ball with the specialized but that doesnt happen with the sidi's.

hope some of that helps.

 

[roadiegonebad]

they fit my feet great, so yeah.

As far as price goes, they (or the mesh Eagle model) are often considerably cheaper on ebay (new) or from Euro sources. Teams/clubs sometimes score great deals too.

 

[KRob]

I really wish they used a rubber sole. The hard plastic sole is a little scary in terms of traction.

A hard plastic sole??? eeek. That does sound scary. I do too much hike-a-biking in rocky terrain for that. Any SIDI owners out there have trouble getting traction when walking on rocks? I don't want hiking boots which accommodate cleats, but it's gotta be practical for some hike-a-biking.

 

[Spookykinkajou]

A hard plastic sole??? eeek. That does sound scary. I do too much hike-a-biking in rocky terrain for that. Any SIDI owners out there have trouble getting traction when walking on rocks? I don't want hiking boots which accommodate cleats, but it's gotta be practical for some hike-a-biking.

like i said, the traction sucks at first but either it improves or i just got used to it. the specialized shoes have far superior traction but the tread also wears down way faster.

 

[bmateo]

A hard plastic sole??? eeek. That does sound scary. I do too much hike-a-biking in rocky terrain for that. Any SIDI owners out there have trouble getting traction when walking on rocks? I don't want hiking boots which accommodate cleats, but it's gotta be practical for some hike-a-biking.

Not only does traction suck, but they are generally not a good walking shoe in my opinion. I found my feet got blisters on them on the rides that had extended hikeabike, they were OK, but I would not get them again. I went to a hiking boot style shoe. I bit heavier, but WAY more comfy, much better for hiking/pushing, and about 1/2 the price. The Sidi's may be good for their intended purpose, but did not suit me that well.

To be fair, I think my experience with Sidi was not typical. Mine only lasted 14 months before both soles started separating. Most people tend to get 5+ years of hard riding out of them. I also did not like the buckle. I liked how it felt, but I was always weary that it would break on a ride and I'd be S-O-L (prolly just paranoid).

 

[Homebrew]

$157 from the link in my post.

Yes but with a Performance 20% off coupon you can get the Doms for $168 and the Bullets for $108 (plus 10% off your next order for Team members). The extra $11 (maybe less with shipping) is worth it to have full warranty. The US distributor, Veltec, won't warranty shoes purchased from Europe. As Bmateo proved, you can walk into the Performance store a year later with busted shoes and get a new pair or your money back. Also, I don't think the buckle is worth $60. The Bullets from Performance are a good deal.

 

[DobeManSS]

A Minor Threat fan?

Hey Homebrew, just noticed yer avatar - a fan of the band or just liked the pic?

DobeManSS

 

[monkeyboy90]

I personally thing sidi's are worth it, I have dom 4s and love them like a son. However, they can be sometimes found for less then 210, I got mine for 199.00 plus shipping. Given only 10.00 dollars less, but they were worth it. The mesh is basically the same thing, only mostly mesh. It isn't the synthetic leather that they use, so not as tough. Plus, in winter weather the mesh will be much colder. I don't know if you have that problem, but it was a thought for me.

 

[Nim]

Sidi Dom's = $180 Speedgoat

Speedgoat.com $180 with free shipping and no tax unless you are in their state. My new pair are scheduled to arrive today. Yea, they are worth the money.

 

[Pete]

Yes but with a Performance 20% off coupon you can get the Doms for $168 and the Bullets for $108 (plus 10% off your next order for Team members). The extra $11 (maybe less with shipping) is worth it to have full warranty. The US distributor, Veltec, won't warranty shoes purchased from Europe. As Bmateo proved, you can walk into the Performance store a year later with busted shoes and get a new pair or your money back. Also, I don't think the buckle is worth $60. The Bullets from Performance are a good deal.

+ tax at Performance and I've never had any warranty issues with Any of the dozen or so airs of Sidis that I've owned.

If peole are concerned about hike-a-bike traction then step up to the SRS Actions or Dragons. Great tractiona nd the lugs are replaceable (just make sure you get the right compund for the replacement, the soft compound wears VERY fast).

 

[Deanoldo]

And are they worth it? I see the mesh version on sale from Nashbar for quite a bit less. What's the down side to those? Other brands top of the line shoes like Gaerne, Northwave, and Shimano all seem to go on sale once in a while but I never see anything but 209.99 for the SIDI. Is it kind of like the Alpinestar Tech 8 motorcycle boot of bike shoes? Undisputed top dog and never on sale at a discount? Seems like a lot of dough for a shoe. Heck even the Tech 8's are only 289.99 (always) which is starting to seem like a relative bargain.

I got mine on clearance last November at REI. They were 2002 models and I paid $60. They were the last pair they had and they happened to be in my size...... I grabbed 'em, paid for 'em and drove away very quickly.......

Dean

 

[TrailRiddler]

Mine had hot spots for the first hundred miles. Then they seemed to mold and now they fit like a glove. Oddly, the sole does give better traction after wear.

 

[Hollywood]

Sidi hell on ebay

http://www.totalcycling.com/Templates/frmTemplateX.asp?SubFolderID=80&SearchYN=N

I recently got hosed on ebay by a guy selling Sidis. He had great feedback and responded quickly to emails, seemed ok. Right after I PayPal'd him he closed up shop and stopped responding. I checked his feedback again and there were now about 10 negatives in a row. Damn. For my $200 claim with ebay (the max allowed) I was able to eek $130 out of them, which they still haven't actually deposited into PayPal yet. What a nightmare. Lessons learned...

Maybe I'll give the overseas guys a shot if you've had good experience with them.

Jeff

 

[KRob]

Lucky dog.

I got mine on clearance last November at REI. They were 2002 models and I paid $60. They were the last pair they had and they happened to be in my size...... I grabbed 'em, paid for 'em and drove away very quickly.......

Dean

Sometimes it pays to be in the right place at the right time. There's a pair of 1year old used SIDI Dom 4s on Ebay right now and the bidding is already at $80.00!..... (and I think they're about a half size too big for me... 44.5 to my 44. I don't have wide feet.

 

[Homebrew]

Hey Homebrew, just noticed yer avatar - a fan of the band or just liked the pic?

DobeManSS

Both. I grew up around DC although more in early Fugazi era (late 80s). The classic "Out of Step" is nicely juxtaposed with my screenname.