SIDI Shoes - advice please

FOAD

I am contemplating getting a pair of SIDI road shoes and wanted to ask a few questions, as info on their site and elsewhere seems limited:

1. I have flat feet and plantar fasciitus hence a good insole is important to me. Specialized, Northwave etc. make a big thing about "Body Geometry" or whatever phrase each manufacturer likes to call their take on providing a choice of footbeds etc. SIDI make no mention of this, so can anyone comment on the footbeds etc. supplied/available.

2. How long are SIDI's warranteed for?

3. I like the Genius 5.1 which is a 2008 shoe, and I understand the SL buckle has now been replaced, leaving me to think if it had been good they would still use it. Is it a problem? Also I take it these only fit Look and SPD as standard and anything needs an adaptor?

4. I can't find a LBS who stock SIDI so it will be a net order. Do they size similar to Specialized, Northwave etc.

Any other comments on SIDI appreciated.

billy whippet

Can't answer any except 4 - and they seem to size a size smaller than they actually are (in my experience) - if you want a 9, buy 10 (or whatever the euro equivalent is). They are also quite narrow. Don't let this put you off though - they are a league ahead of other shoes. The ratchet system is great, and your shoes do feel 'as one' with the pedals. Chain reaction have pretty good deals, and of course will exchange if wrong size

cougie

I wouldnt bother buying shoes mail order. Its all about fit and comfort - so buy from your LBS.
Performance wise - you'd not really find much difference between brands and models.

Personally - I'd go for Specialized - much nicer than the SIdis I used to wear - Plus the Sidi advert on Eurosport makes me want to smack Alberto Contador with a pair of Size 9 carbon soles....

sward29

The insoles in Sidi shoes don't offer much support and are really thin. If you have foot problems then you'll probably need some aftermarket insoles.

crankycrank

SIDI quality is always 1st class. Shoes are like saddles, you just have to try them out to find out what works for you. Don't know about the warranty but mine have always lasted a few years. Can't answer about the new buckle being any better but the mfrs are always coming out with something "new and improved" to tempt you to buy more shoes. Different footbeds are always a possibility if you can't find anything off the shelf that fits you comfortably.

bendertherobot

My £179 Ergo 2's off the 'bay are looking better value every day.

GavH

Sorry to hijack slightly, but can someone tell me why SIDI shoes are considered so awesome? I looked at a their website last night and then casually asked the wife how she'd feel if I spent about £200 on a pair of cycling shoes? She retorted "how do you like it when I spend £200 on anything, let alone something I don't need?" Touche I thought, good point, well made. The cheapo Look shoes I have at the minute do the job, so what exactly is it that SIDIs would do? I know all about Carbon sole = lighter and stiffer hence more power transfer but at c£200, just how much extra power are we talking - being able to use a bigger gear than normal?

cougie

I notice a difference between my carbon road shoes and my cheapo MTB winter shoes - more comfort and yes - more power goes through them - but not so that you can go up a gear.

No need to pay £200 for them though - I think my carbon Spesh shoes were just over a hundred.

Sidi do have to pay Contador and co money to gurn in that goddawful Eurosport Ad tho.....

eh

SIDI quality is always 1st class.

Don't agree with that, their stock plastic soles were/are crap. Sidi in the early, mid 90s were the dogs, but then they lost it by refusing to use carbon soles when everone else was, and so now they are playing catch up and their prices have gone crazy. Much better brands out there now Shimano, Spesh, DMT etc.

But the only way you'll get shoes to fit is try them on and that means a visit to the LBS and accepting that they won't have every brand under the sun.

Monty Dog

Quality and durability are what does it for me and you can get spare parts easily which means if you break a buckle you can buy a spare - try that with a pair of 1-year-old Specializeds! Simple things like a replaceable heel pad, rather than wearing away the sole. FWIW DMT also make the shoes for Shimano, Nike, Pearl Izumi amongst others.

eh

FWIW DMT also make the shoes for Shimano, Nike, Pearl Izumi amongst others.

I know but they aren't all the same, for instance Shimano tend to have quite big, square toe boxes and DMT own shoes tend to be more tapered. So you tries them on and takes your pick

if you break a buckle you can buy a spare

I really dislike buckles so not a problem for me, and even when I did have one on mtb shoes in 10 years it didn't fail.