Well, my trusty dusty Sidi Genius 4’s are finally fading. The velcro straps are wearing out and of course carbon fiber soles are all the rage, so what to get. Here are some choices:
“Rocket 7 Super Stock”:http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2004/reviews/rocket7_super_stock. Heck, these shoes are made in Puyallup, so I have to give them a try. Main virture is that they are super light. The Shimanos are just 620 grams, but these are 400 grams for the pair. $400 list with a $640 custom option.
“Sidi Ergo 1″:http://bicycling.com/gear/review/0,3307,s1-6026,00.html?category_id=361&article_type_id=63&family_id=137..”Excel”:http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Ergo+1+Carbon+Road+Shoe&vendorCode=SIDI&major=5&minor=1 is $400 which is amazingly expensive even for these very nice shoes. “Totalcycling”:http://www.totalcycling.com/Templates/frmTemplateP1.asp?CatalogID=1232&Zoom=Yes&SubFolderId=114 has them for $292. BTW, the the lines are a little confusing, but basically, best is the “Sidi”:http://www.sidisport.com/eng/cycling/art.asp?ATp_ID=C01 Ergo Carbon 1 with full carbon fiber, better is the Energy Hi Tech Carbon with 40% carbon fiber and good is the Genius 5 Hi Tech Carbon with 40% carbon fiber and less fancy buckles. I’d expect these to fit well since my Genius 4’s were great for my feet, but they are expensive.
“Shimano R215″:http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2004/reviews/shimano_r215. These get good reviews and are light. Totalcycling”:http://www.totalcycling.com/Templates/frmTemplateP1.asp?CatalogID=793&Zoom=Yes&SubFolderId=113 has for $192. The R151 is cheaper with the same sole. 4 1/2 stars at cyclingnews.com
“DMT Ultimate RMX”:http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2004/reviews/dmt_ultimax_rsx_shoe. Another shoe that weighs 630 grams and that cyclingnews like as much as the Sidi and Shimano. Also all carbon fiber. 4 1/2 stars.
“Specialized Pro Road”:http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2004/reviews/specialized_carbon_pro_road_shoe. Another comfortable carbon shoe.
The rest of these are lower rated mainly because they aren’t truly carbon fiber:
“Sidi Genius 5 Hi Tech Carbon”:http://www.roadbikereview.com/clothing/shoes/Sidi/PRD_335553_2512crx.aspx. I have had the Genius 4 for four years now and they are great. These are a slight update that have a little carbon fiber in them, but aren’t as stiff as the $400 Ergo 1’s. $250 for the Genius 5 from “Biketiresdirect”:http://www.biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=SIG5C. . This is the lowest end Sidi that is carbon fiber. “Excelsports”:http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Genius+5+Carbon+Road+Shoe&vendorCode=SIDI&major=5&minor=1 sells the Genius 5 Carbon for $280
“Sidi Energy Hi-Tech Carbon”:http://www.totalcycling.com/Templates/frmTemplateP1.asp?CatalogID=1019&Zoom=Yes&SubFolderId=114. Totalcycling has the Sidi Enery Hi-Tech for 120 pounds or $219. This gets you the same shoe with carbon fiber sole. You are supposed to replace your shoes every other year or so, so it is about time.