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Shimano shoes
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Hi I'm looking at a new pair of shoes.
Has anyone had any experience with the Shimano SH-M300S carbon sole shoes...?
What is your current hot recommendation for your lower digit motion pods?
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SIDI Dragon 2 SRS are the best I have had to date, having been through a number of Shimano (and other brand) shoes.
Key differentiator (other than the stupendous price) is all components can be replaced, meaning long life, especially all sole components.
Fit like a glove after a couple of rides - I am in love. Shop around online and you will get a semi-reasonable price I found bikeinn.com the cheapest for these particular ones at the time mid last year.
looking to buy 2nd pair
Sidi are great shoes if you are racing, or for riding where you don't expect to be doing any walking. Comfortable (even with a sore toe) and stiff. However, in my experience they have a poor heel cup and lousy sole and heel platform which means they are a bugger to walk in. This can be a problem if you are doing any "exploring" riding (where you might want to get off the bike and have a bit of a poke around somewhere), or if you, like me, end up walking a few hills from time to time.
I've had Lake MX 101's which are great for walking in, but lack stiffness, and a pair of Diadora's which are stiff and OK to walk in, but have a toe seam which annoys my little toe on the right foot (OK, I did smash my little toe into a tree root in Rotorua in October and it hasn't been right since, so I'm persevering with them).
My comments are in relation to shoes at the euro 50-52 end of the size range. Joys of not being able to try shoes on in OZ and having to buy on line.....
I am running Northwaves for both road and MTB shoes. I have found them to be excellent for my wide feet. I went for the SBS Carbons for the MTB shoes. I really like them, however they are not superlight by any stretch.
Go the Sidi's!
you can get none carbon soles for a more flexible shoe but you cant replace the soles etc.
Also, shop local as the prices have been forced down due to consumer complaints( and im sure the shops moaned a bit to the suppliers).
Also, They're Italian, and we all know the Italians make the best shoes!
I've had three pairs of shimano shoes (both road and mtb) and can't fault them. The fit is excellent for me and the range is fairly broad so you can opt for budget or high end. Shoes are a very personal thing as the fit is unique for everybody. I recommend going to a local bike shop and trying some different brands.
I have sidi and they are great. The leather is nice and soft so you don't need to break them in and some of the models come in the mega range for wider feet.
That is all.
I've got a pair of Shimano M300, Sidi Dragons and Northwave Aerlites and there doesn't seem to be much difference in weight. Using the trusty hand weighing test, the Sidis feel the lightest, and the other two are about the same.
The Sidis are definitely narrower. The Northwaves are the widest and the Shimanos in between. I haven't had enough time on the Northwaves but so far they are very comfortable. The Shimanos are excellent and I never bothered to have the heat fitting done. The Dragons are okay. The narrow fit isn't a problem but the arch height is higher than the others. They aren't uncomfortable but definitely feel different.
Construction wise I've put the Shimanos through hell over two and a bit years and they are still going strong. The Northwaves seem well made and don't scuff up too bad when I have to walk something. I'm expecting them to be as good as the Shimanos. The Sidis are easily the flimsiest of the three. The upper construction feels thinner and there isn't any protection around the toe of the shoe. If I think I'm going to be walking anything on a particular track I don't wear the Sidis.
I got a set of these for xmas and am very happy so far
http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Shimano-SH-M161-Shoes
They are a lot more comfortable that my previous Shimanos as the toe-box seems a bit bigger on the new ones and the ratchet straps make quite a difference. The only issue is the metal caps on the toe spikes can make them a bit slippery on rocks but as they're for racing I can live with that
I think carbon sole shoes are the way to go. The firm platform is good for your foot. I tend to get arch pain if the sole is to flexible.
I have only warn shimano. I have had several different level of shimano shoe in both mtb and road. I keep going back as i know that they will always fit. The sizing has never changed. I know exactly how it will fit on my foot. Other brands are probably similar.
I have a set of Vittorias that are very comfortable. Size and fit-wise they are an exact duplicate of Shimano shoes. They have a flex point for your toes, so they are better than most for walking those hike-a-bike sections in, and are still reasonably stiff under the rest of the foot.
Would like to try something a little stiffer again for racing but need something that will work with half-foot orthotics.
I have Shimano, Diadora, and SIDI shoes, plus I am cursed with a wide foot (FF-G).
The Shimanos are good but soles wore out, the Diadoras are great to walk in but too flexible for me.
As a fat old bugger short of puff I tend to do a bit of walking, and so far have found the SIDIs to be great - I did buy up a size from 43/44 to 45, but found that to be fine. With their three point fastening you get heaps of adjustment, plus they are so comfortable and soft. The heel cup on the Dragon 2 has an adjustable fit, and overall I can't fault them.
As for carbon vs non carbon - clearly the stiffer the pedalling platform the better.
I've got SIDI's and Specialized.
Both nice, stiff-soled shoes, but one issue I find with the Sidis is the sole under the heel is VERY narrow. Would be really easy to roll an ankle when off the bike walking.
Sidi's are a narrow fit in general, and Australians typically have wider feet than Europeans. You can get them in a wider fit, but they can be harder to come by.
The Specialized probably breathe a bit better.
Shimano shoes at Universal Cycles at the moment.
Coupon code "shimano20"
Thanks everyone for your comments...it's left me salivating.....I think I'm going the Sidi route...!