MTB Shoes for Cyclocross - have I been ripped off?

rodgers73

The other week I bought a £70 pair of Specialized MTB shoes from Evans for doing cyclocross in (and riding my hybrid on) between now and next winter.

The sole had what looked like two points near the toe where you could screw studs in but they were blanked out. I asked the guy in the shop about this and he assured me you could attach studs you just needed to drill out the holes and the threads would be underneath. He also told me to contact Specialized direct to get the studs.

Just spoken to Specialized - they tell me that under the plastic blanking there is no thread to accept studs and that they wont sell studs to the general public. I have to go through a dealer like Evans.

So, the guy in the shop was talking rubbish. What I'm not sure about is - have I been ripped off? The shoes themselves are identical to my road shoes (but designed for SPD cleats instead) and so I know they'll fit well and be nice and comfy (I havent used them yet, just tried them on).

My only worry is - do I really need the studs in for cyclocross or are these things going to be ok regardless?? If I want Specialized shoes that do accept studs I'd have to go up to £100 and I'm not sure I can justify that level of outlay!

Link to shoes on Evans site -

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec025874

(you can see the little star shaped patterns on the front end of the sole where the stud threads should be)

ddraver

Well, if you specifically asked the guy before buying them if they accept studs, and he said yes when they can't then he's certainly wrong and you haev a pretty good arguemen that they should be refunded. However, if they ve been used then they may put up a bit of a fight...? I'd certainly spend 5 mins to get the story straight then go into the shop with a take no prisoners attitude, and preferably when the same guy is in there.

Were you ripped off? Only if he genuinely knew that they could nt take studs and lied, which to be honest I'd be surprised about.

The studs do make a big difference, but do you absolutley definitely need them? Well probably not. If you re doing if for "fun" then no, if you re racing to win then...probably..

xixang

i used studs for a grand total of 1 cross race before removing never to be used again. it's down to personal preference but I don't personally know anyone the uses them round here. No doubt some will use though

antfly

He was talking nonsense, if you want studs you need the comp shoes, notice the threads, no drilling needed.


http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bc/SBC ... spid=64227

ShutUpLegs

I have a spare set of unused studs if you need them....oh....

rodgers73

If I don't really need the studs then I'm fine - the guy told me some nonsense, but I'm no worse off. I know those shoes will be be really comfy and fit well.

So, if the consensus is that studs aren't essential for cyclocross then I'm happy.

If it's opposite then I'm slightly miffed!

xixang

I found studs more of a hindrance than a benefit but you may be the opposite. It will depend what sort of courses you ride and how much getting off you do where they may be of benefit. they certainly aren't essential and many riders do without them. comfy fitting shoes w/o studs is a better option than badly fitting shoes with studs, but you could always go back and argue the toss with the shop to get a pair of stud compatible BG shoes. at least then you have the option should you feel the need.

FransJacques

You went into an Evans. You got some advice you took at face value. You had about the same success-rate as most Evans customers do.

Ripped off is a bit strong. Only thing you can do is go in and demand they give you a full credit for the next level up of Spesh shoe. Else it looks like you're just blowing hot air.

ALWAYS back up Evans talk with internet research. Bike cos spend thousands on their sites for good reason. Use them. Spesh even has 360 deg views of their shoes...

rodgers73

Yes, did all of that. That's why I asked the bloke the specific question re the studs because despite all the views on websites it wasn't clear if the model I was buying would take studs not. Looking at the shoes I bought on the Spesh website you cant even view the sole, unlike the Evans site. Also, it doesn't say if the shoes I bought will take studs and NEITHER does it say so on the description of the £100 model, which DO take studs. So I'm not sure what else I was supposed to do other than ask the bloke in the shop. Who, to be fair, you'd expect to tell you at least something vaguely accurate instead of something outright wrong.

If you can think of a milder expression than "ripped off" I'll happily use that instead, as I'm not particularly agrieved - like I said, if I don't need the studs for doing cyclocross I'm happy with what I bought. Otherwise I'll go in for a credit note.

ddraver

I'd say credit note or discount is your best bet if you ve used them....

Good Luck, It's not like Evans can't afford it so go for it

nicklouse

rodgers73 wrote:

Yes, did all of that. That's why I asked the bloke the specific question re the studs because despite all the views on websites it wasn't clear if the model I was buying would take studs not. Looking at the shoes I bought on the Spesh website you cant even view the sole, unlike the Evans site. Also, it doesn't say if the shoes I bought will take studs and NEITHER does it say so on the description of the £100 model, which DO take studs. So I'm not sure what else I was supposed to do other than ask the bloke in the shop. Who, to be fair, you'd expect to tell you at least something vaguely accurate instead of something outright wrong.

If you can think of a milder expression than "ripped off" I'll happily use that instead, as I'm not particularly agrieved - like I said, if I don't need the studs for doing cyclocross I'm happy with what I bought. Otherwise I'll go in for a credit note.

You can the sole view is on the right.

Pseudonym

you don't really need studs for CX anyway. In any case, the stud sizes are a standard fitting, so any football or rugby studs will fit - you certainly don't need 'specialized' studs.

rodgers73

nicklouse wrote:

rodgers73 wrote:

Yes, did all of that. That's why I asked the bloke the specific question re the studs because despite all the views on websites it wasn't clear if the model I was buying would take studs not. Looking at the shoes I bought on the Spesh website you cant even view the sole, unlike the Evans site. Also, it doesn't say if the shoes I bought will take studs and NEITHER does it say so on the description of the £100 model, which DO take studs. So I'm not sure what else I was supposed to do other than ask the bloke in the shop. Who, to be fair, you'd expect to tell you at least something vaguely accurate instead of something outright wrong.

If you can think of a milder expression than "ripped off" I'll happily use that instead, as I'm not particularly agrieved - like I said, if I don't need the studs for doing cyclocross I'm happy with what I bought. Otherwise I'll go in for a credit note.

You can the sole view is on the right.

Ah yes, got it now. It's no more enlightening than Evans site though (same pic in fact) and the text description for neither this or the Comp shoe don't mention studs. The guy in the shop specifically told me you had to drill through the outer coating and the threads were underneath ready to use. So, I'm still no further forward. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to have done here that I missed?

nicklouse

and if you look at the shoes higher up you can see the threaded holes for the studs. From that I would have deduced that the pair you got were not stud compatable.

jordan_217

I'll say it again - Evans are about as much use as a c0ck flavored lollipop.

Get them returned/sold and buy the DHB M1's from Wiggle. Good value, comfortable, well made and threads for studs (and the studs). If you really think you need them?!?

ddraver

jordan_217 wrote:

I'll say it again - Evans are about as much use as a c0ck flavored lollipop.

....you....you don't like them????

rodgers73

nicklouse wrote:

and if you look at the shoes higher up you can see the threaded holes for the studs. From that I would have deduced that the pair you got were not stud compatable.

Ok, I'm a complete and utter fool.

I checked carefully on websites etc as to whether these shoes would take studs before going to the shop. The presence of those star shaped markings where studs would usually go was ambiguous. So, I asked the guy in the shop if they meant that studs could be fitted and he gave a convincing and knowledgeable sounding reply which I believed and which turned out to be wrong.

I hang my head in shame at my complete and utter stupidity. I should of course have told him that he was (probably) a liar, dropped the shoes and walked straight out. I shall now commit suicide as I can only see that my life will be littered with an endless stream of bad decisions, mistakes and rip-off that will surely leave me bankrupt, friendless and miserable. I'm sorry to have troubled you with my pathetic ramblings.

giant_man

jordan_217 wrote:

I'll say it again - Evans are about as much use as a c0ck flavored lollipop.

Get them returned/sold and buy the DHB M1's from Wiggle. Good value, comfortable, well made and threads for studs (and the studs). If you really think you need them?!?

You got that right!

graham_g

They LOOK like they take studs to me, and I've got last years version of the same shoes, which also look like they take studs. But, I've just taken a kife to them and they don't have the proper threaded insert underneath the plastic outer sole to screw a stud into. Do specialized seriously expect people to drill a f**king hole in their nylon soles?? Sure the studs'll screw in lovely and firm :roll:

Play devil's advocate - go back to the sales guy who fed you that, and ask him to demonstrate how you're supposed to get a machined screw stud attached securely to a nylon sole. Say that if they come off in your first session of use, you will insert the shoes in him.

jordan_217

ddraver wrote:

jordan_217 wrote:

I'll say it again - Evans are about as much use as a c0ck flavored lollipop.

....you....you don't like them????

Maybe next time I'll be less cryptic and tell you what I really think. Plus, I think it tickles Giant Man every time I say it.

rodgers73

Successfully refunded. Now to buy those M1 shoes instead!

ddraver

good news!

jordan_217

Nice one