New shoes!

pedalbasher

Have been riding for a couple of years and my Specialized BG Expert shoes are looking a little tired, so I'm in the market for a new pair of snazzy good-weather shoes (I'll use the old shoes for wet and Wintery rides until they're completely wrecked).

Any recommendations? I'd like something light, stiff and good-looking. Preferably predominantly white. Sub-£200 and preferably £150 or less.

Got my eyes on a couple of possibilities and would be grateful for thoughts / experiences of these:

1. Specialized BG Pro (attractive because I like the looks, know that a size 41 will fit me as I currently have the same brand, and can get them for £150).

2. Northwave Extreme 3V.

3. Giro Factor (these look great, get good reviews but I have also read a few complaints about the non-replaceable heel pads).

Cheers

dork_knight

I would be tempted to stick with Specialized if you get on with the fit of the shoe.

You could also keep an eye out on SportPursuit, I managed to get SiDi Genius 6.6 Carbon Lite Vernice Mega Shoes for about £115 (about 6 months ago now).

ic.

How about Shimano R170?

ai_1

I've been looking at getting new shoes too. Considering Bont but would need a wide fit version. Anyone got any feedback on these or know where to order from as no-where seems to stock wide fits.

galatzo

Very happy with my Fizik R1s, well over budget but if you can still find a sale pair they're a bargain.

bernithebiker

pedalbasher wrote:

Have been riding for a couple of years and my Specialized BG Expert shoes are looking a little tired, so I'm in the market for a new pair of snazzy good-weather shoes (I'll use the old shoes for wet and Wintery rides until they're completely wrecked).

Any recommendations? I'd like something light, stiff and good-looking. Preferably predominantly white. Sub-£200 and preferably £150 or less.

Got my eyes on a couple of possibilities and would be grateful for thoughts / experiences of these:

1. Specialized BG Pro (attractive because I like the looks, know that a size 41 will fit me as I currently have the same brand, and can get them for £150).

2. Northwave Extreme 3V.

3. Giro Factor (these look great, get good reviews but I have also read a few complaints about the non-replaceable heel pads).

Cheers

Why not consider the Sworks shoes? Lighter, stiffer and sexier than the Pro. Although super expensive new, you can pick them up a lot cheaper 2nd hand, and if you know that 41 fits you, (like I do) then you're away!

Funnily enough, I have 2 pairs of Sworks (2013/14) model in 41, and I should really sell a pair…interested? I have red and white and all black.

racingcondor

Whichever fit. By brand reputation -

Specialised are fairly in the middle,
Northwave generally run wide,
Giro are relatively narrow (certainly in the mid foot, less so in the toe box).

I've used Specialized BG Pro, Giro Factor and now Pro Lights (bought for <£150, I'm not mad) and the Giro shoes are made so much better than the Specialized were 4-5 years ago when I bought them. It's not that Specialized shoes are bad either, just the Factors I've had have been outstanding.

charlie_potatoes

How about these...
Lightest weight and less than half price.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mavic-huez-road-shoes-2014/rp-prod72356

pedalbasher

racingcondor wrote:

Whichever fit. By brand reputation -

Specialised are fairly in the middle,
Northwave generally run wide,
Giro are relatively narrow (certainly in the mid foot, less so in the toe box).

I've used Specialized BG Pro, Giro Factor and now Pro Lights (bought for <£150, I'm not mad) and the Giro shoes are made so much better than the Specialized were 4-5 years ago when I bought them. It's not that Specialized shoes are bad either, just the Factors I've had have been outstanding.

Thanks. I actually bought a pair of size 41 Pro Lights at a bargain sale price last week (online). But they are way too small across the top of my foot (close to the ankle), to the point that the top strap is so short that it actually won't hold fast i.e. it just undoes itself. They seem like a ridiculously tight fit in this area. I have narrow feet but high arches. Length seems ok, I could possibly live with slightly longer.

Now I am in two minds whether to swap them for the next size up or to explore other options. The Factors appeal because they have the ratchet rather than a third velcro strap, but I don't know whether they would still be too tight round the "entrance" / across the top of the shoe. I have also read stories about the heel pads on the Factors being quick to grind down and not replaceable (at least with last season's model, which is the one on sale). Any thoughts on that?

Northwave now ruled out as they run wide (thanks).

So it's probably down to Specialized v. Giro (if I can resolve the Giro sizing issue, I'd prefer them).

pedalbasher

bernithebiker wrote:

pedalbasher wrote:

Have been riding for a couple of years and my Specialized BG Expert shoes are looking a little tired, so I'm in the market for a new pair of snazzy good-weather shoes (I'll use the old shoes for wet and Wintery rides until they're completely wrecked).

Any recommendations? I'd like something light, stiff and good-looking. Preferably predominantly white. Sub-£200 and preferably £150 or less.

Got my eyes on a couple of possibilities and would be grateful for thoughts / experiences of these:

1. Specialized BG Pro (attractive because I like the looks, know that a size 41 will fit me as I currently have the same brand, and can get them for £150).

2. Northwave Extreme 3V.

3. Giro Factor (these look great, get good reviews but I have also read a few complaints about the non-replaceable heel pads).

Cheers

Why not consider the Sworks shoes? Lighter, stiffer and sexier than the Pro. Although super expensive new, you can pick them up a lot cheaper 2nd hand, and if you know that 41 fits you, (like I do) then you're away!

Funnily enough, I have 2 pairs of Sworks (2013/14) model in 41, and I should really sell a pair…interested? I have red and white and all black.

I actually think I prefer the looks of the Pro! But it's negligible and not a big swaying point. Are the ones you're selling the same as these - http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/cate ... oes-46997/?

Condition / rough price?

styxd

Narrow feet and high arches - try the Fizik shoes on sale at planet x.

The ratchet strap has plenty of adjustment aswell, to accommodate higher arches.

pedalbasher

styxd wrote:

Narrow feet and high arches - try the Fizik shoes on sale at planet x.

The ratchet strap has plenty of adjustment aswell, to accommodate higher arches.

Cheers, none left in my size though :-(

Mavic Huez's look good, although perhaps an out an out ultra lightweight climbers' shoe might not be the all-rounder I need for long UK rides? Super light construction makes me think it might be performance-oriented at the expense of durability etc.

bernithebiker

pedalbasher wrote:

I actually think I prefer the looks of the Pro! But it's negligible and not a big swaying point. Are the ones you're selling the same as these - http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/cate ... oes-46997/?

Condition / rough price?

Yes exactly that, and also in red and white. Both excellent condition, pretty much as new, both less than 6 months old, but can only sell 1 pair. Haven't decided which yet! £150.

Steve236

Ai_1 wrote:

I've been looking at getting new shoes too. Considering Bont but would need a wide fit version. Anyone got any feedback on these or know where to order from as no-where seems to stock wide fits.

I got my wide fit Bonts from here.
http://www.singletrackbikes.co.uk/

rolf_f

styxd wrote:

Narrow feet and high arches - try the Fizik shoes on sale at planet x.

The ratchet strap has plenty of adjustment aswell, to accommodate higher arches.

Not really a narrow fit tbh - quite roomy really. A touch narrower than Northwave I reckon. Lots of places had them on sale last year so if your size or colour isn't available at PX it is worth a look round elsewhere.

pedalbasher

If my Specialized 41 fit perfectly, what size would people suggest in Giro and Sidi?

northpole

For me, Spesh = 45; Sidi = 46. Every time. I do not have wide feet, which may impact on this.

Peter

ai_1

Steve236 wrote:

Ai_1 wrote:

I've been looking at getting new shoes too. Considering Bont but would need a wide fit version. Anyone got any feedback on these or know where to order from as no-where seems to stock wide fits.

I got my wide fit Bonts from here.
http://www.singletrackbikes.co.uk/

Thanks. I wasn't familiar with singletrack. I'll take a look

vespario

I have wide feet and wear bont riots shoes and bont vaypor. Not wide fit but plenty wide enough. Riots are cushioned and mouldable, vaypors are great fit, mouldable and very very stiff.

Recommend both at their price points. Have had shimano, mavic and specialized. Bont are great!

upperoilcan

I have a pair of Specialized BG Expert's,around the £160:00 Mark,great shoe and has the Boa system which is superb.

pedalbasher

vespario wrote:

I have wide feet and wear bont riots shoes and bont vaypor. Not wide fit but plenty wide enough. Riots are cushioned and mouldable, vaypors are great fit, mouldable and very very stiff.

Recommend both at their price points. Have had shimano, mavic and specialized. Bont are great!

How does Bont sizing compare to Specialized?

richardsault

From experience Bont's sizing is tricky... I have known people to go up 3 sizes from what they normally wear and still not be happy.. But i've also known people who found they fit and love them... There is a size guide on there website where you can put your measurements in.. http://goo.gl/gh5fhg Something to think about is that mouldable cycling shoes like the Bont Vaypor's are always very uncomfortable until moulded.

Width wise I wouldn't take Northwave or other brands from the list as some model's are made narrower to compete with Sidi or Specialized in certain areas of the market. Also Lake might be worth a look.

Ozzysbeard

RE Bont Sizing.

Just bought a pair, used the sizing guide they provide and from that went from my usual size, when they arrived realised I needed a full size up. Replaced no problem and very happy with them.

racingcondor

Narrow feet and high arches - Definitely try some Fizik and Mavic. I love the look of Fizik but the inbuilt arch is way too high for me.

If you fancied something a bit different then it's worth trying on some Spuik RC15's (Evans). They run narrow and feel great on (unfortunately for me they also run short and their biggest size still wasn't long enough for me, I am in a Euro 47 Giro though).

pedalbasher

Thanks for the advice.

Might order the Mavic Huez and the Bont Vaypors, and keep my eyes open for a Fizik deal.

Any views on the durability of the Mavics and the Bonts for durability and appropriateness for long UK rides?

Steve236

Ozzysbeard wrote:

RE Bont Sizing.

Just bought a pair, used the sizing guide they provide and from that went from my usual size, when they arrived realised I needed a full size up. Replaced no problem and very happy with them.

Same thing happened to me. Luckily also had no problem changing them. I seem to have read quite a few reports of the online size calculator coming up a size short.