MTB Shoes carbon vs plastic

[mikesbytes]

Technically I'm not looking for 2 bolt shoes for MTB riding but for spin classes (I'm an instructor) and fixie commuting.

Because I'm on stage I want ones that look really nice, but of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder and they need to be relatively firm, as I have a really strong upstroke.

Previously I've used a variety of shoes, many of which were multifit road shoes using SPD's (2 bolt), however I am not keen on road shoes are they are not good walk around in. Currently I'm using some unusual Lake MTB's that have a solid (heavy) plastic sole. They have functioned well, but are not stylist.

So, looking around, I seem to come upon that the better shoes have carbon soles;
Sidi MTB Dragon 3 Carbon SRS Vernice Shoes - really nice looking and durable. I have ergo 2's which is the road equivalent
Specialised S Works is another that comes to mind.

What concerns me about shelling out the $$$ for those shoes, is what a carbon sole is like for everyday activities such as walking around a supermarket?

Then when I hit the plastic soled shoes, they are much cheaper but don't have the same quality in the upper or the looks Examples;
Shimano SH-M162
CARNAC Men's Escape
And they ain't as good looking

[Chef]

Hi Mike,

I had a pair of the Dragon 3's - they were nice shoes with good fit and plenty stiff whilst not hard to walk in, however I had a problem with the heel retainer which split and fell apart on both shoes after six months of use.

I now have a pair of the XC Five's which are a great shoe, but noticeably less stiff; if you want the stiff SRS sole I recon the Spider SRS would be the go - very similar to the Dragon, but less complicated....

Cheers

[antipodean]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Shimano-XC60 ... 770wt_1163

Bought a pair of these recently, superb.

[trailgumby]

I've just recently bought some XC shoes since my cheapy dhb's got damaged on a training ride down at Kowen a fortnight ago.

I looked at the Shimano XC60 and it is a really nice shoe, and felt really comfortable.... with one catch. I have a very high arch and and varus forefoot, so with the Specialised BG forefoot shims in under the BG footbed, the lip on the tongue where it's sewn to the inside of the shoe upper pressed uncomfortably on my big toe tendon. Perhaps should have tried a size up, but they didn't have it in stock. That was my only reservation

So I've ended up with Bontrager RXLs. Brookvale Bike Factory had them on special for $219 down from RRP $299. I did two spin classes back-to-back last Sunday and they were great. Very comfortable.

The interesting thing is despite the carbon sole they were only 25g lighter each than the sub-$100 dhb's, and not really any stiffer. (The dhb's have a glass-reinforced composite sole that is as stiff as most top-end shoes).

Where the Bontragers win is the better ratchet-style micro-adjust buckle fastener, and proper urethane sole lugs, which from my experience with my much-loved but dying Vittorias will last very well. The dhb's lugs are the same material as the sole, and a couple of trips up and down the Harbour Bridge cycleway staircase plus a bit of rock-hopping in Canberra chewed up the lugs very quickly and grip on polished surfaces like concrete or tiles was nil.

The XC60's have a much better engineered buckle that will survive hits off trailside rocks and logs much better than the Bontragers, which by comparison look more fragile. Supposedly you can get replacement buckles for the Bontragers, but I'm hoping not to test that claim. If they're just for looking professional up front at spin classes I think either would be fine.

Thsi fashion for white mtb shoes has me laughing - not gonna stay that colour for long

Mine seem to be the 2011 model with the 2012 buckle
2012 model


2011 model:

[mikesbytes]

It's a nice looking shoe those Bontrager's. I had a look at the Brookvale bike factory web site and they ain't there. There were some other good buys on the Brookvale web site, in particular some road shoes

This is them on the Bontrager web site http://bontrager.com/model/09604

[trailgumby]

They've got 'em. I just walked in (well, after driving there first - crappy weather ).

If you're interested in the XC60's, Bike Addiction had a good range of sizes. Personally I think the XC60s are better engineered.

I'm not a fan of the traditional cardboard or whatever it is inner sole material underneath the footbed on the Bontragers - my Vittorias had that and wet weather riding killed them from the inside out in the end. Shimano is much more fit for purpose, with fully waterproof materials used in its construction, but unfortunately it didn't fit my foot quite as well.

[Crittski]

I picked up a pair of XC60's from Cell when they were first released. For some strange reason they listed them for a week for $129 so I grabbed them. The price shot up a week later to $149 and now go for even more. They are super comfortable, lighter than my previous M183 and apart from the white bits that get brown every ride, I love these shoes, oh an they are great to walk around in.

[mikesbytes]

If the Bontragers clap out in the wet, then they ain't the shoe for me.

Bike addiction appears expensive online, though of course I don't know what in store specials they have

http://www.bikeaddiction.com.au/store/categories/Shoes/Mountain-%252d-Mens/

[Crittski]

plus all of the shoes on that page are end of line, and nowhere near Shimanos newest offerings, but that certainly isn't reflected in the price. The thing that I like about Shimano cycling shoes is that a size 45 always fits me perfectly road or MTB shoe. Makes punting on online purchases easy

[gcouyant]

Technically I'm not looking for 2 bolt shoes for MTB riding but for spin classes (I'm an instructor) and fixie commuting.

Because I'm on stage I want ones that look really nice, but of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder and they need to be relatively firm, as I have a really strong upstroke.

What concerns me about shelling out the $$$ for those shoes, is what a carbon sole is like for everyday activities such as walking around a supermarket?

Mike, I have used several pairs of SIDI Dragon 2s and the 3 is a detail evolution of that shoe. I have also lusted after red Vernice as well but with every purchase I settle for black. You have be able to live up to red Vernice.

They are the sexiest most luscious looking MTB shoe on the market.

The carbon sole is tough and you won't crack or damage it walking around. I do a fair bit of bike hiking and whilst the shoes look pretty ragged after a year or so, they have never ever failed. One caution though - especially since you mentioned walking in the super market. The replaceable sole material can be an issue. The material is tough and grips rock and gravel well, however there are some polished surfaces that they will suddenly let go on....and I do mean suddenly.

If you're walking leave the heel retention on the loose side. I use the heel retention to make fine adjustment to the alignment of the shoe relative to the centre line of the foot. It is very useful to fine tune for differences between left and right feet.

Back to looks.... I personally prefer the look of the 2 because the toe box looks beautiful in red Vernice. The 3 has a rubber boot over it.

Let me share something.

I said earlier that I have always and continue to lust after red Vernice - and every time I replace the shoes I go through the same turmoil with the next pair of SDIDs..... A couple of years ago we were driving and riding the Savanna Way up in the Gulf and it was a hot day on a the rough part of the track near Lorella Springs. A couple of hundred meters up the track I spotted a pair of dusty red Vernice Dragon 2s on the feet of a lone cyclist as he crested a bump and bend ahead. This crusty old gentleman was in his early seventies riding on an old school CroMo MTB frame with rigid forks. He was riding solo from Cairns to Darwin on dirt.

We chatted over an icy orange and juice from the car's fridge and he shared his story on the shoes.....

He confessed that he too had always longed for red Vernice SIDIs and at last, at 72 years of age he felt that he earned it. He bought the shoes, broke them in, hopped onto his old mountain bike and headed West.... I sometime think back to that encounter in the middle of nowhere. He was a man at peace and he made an impression upon me. If it wasn't for the shoes, we would have greeted with a wave and a nod and continued on our ways.

[trailgumby]

He confessed that he too had always longed for red Vernice SIDIs and at last, at 72 years of age he felt that he earned it. He bought the shoes, broke them in, hopped onto his old mountain bike and headed West.... I sometime think back to that encounter in the middle of nowhere. He was a man at peace and he made an impression upon me. If it wasn't for the shoes, we would have greeted with a wave and a nod and continued on our ways.

I think you need to contact SIDI with that one... please tell me you took a photograph, that's a brilliant story.

[gcouyant]

please tell me you took a photograph, that's a brilliant story.

You know, when you're out there in the middle of nowhere on a bicycle, you are a traveller and not a tourist. When a pair of crusty old guys meet out there, it's most inappropriate to take photos.

[trailgumby]

Fair enough.

[mikesbytes]

I have ergo 2's and have never adjusted the heal thingie on them, so I suspect I won't need to on the Dragon's too.

Almost got a set of red Dragon 2's last night but there was a problem with the postage been incorrect. The fixed the problem over night, but when I logged in again in the morning, as expected the basket was empty. So I went to order them again and my size was sold out...

Stumbled upon this interesting site in my travels

http://www.gambacicli.it/componenti/scarpe_frame.htm

[mikesbytes]

What does 'Vernice' mean?

[Kenzo]

Pearl Izumi make spinning specific shoes... not sure if they are two bolt but I guess you could look it up further if you like the look of them.

http://www.amazon.com/Pearl-iZUMi-Elite ... 12&sr=1-16

or the not so 'pretty': http://www.amazon.com/Pearl-iZUMi-Spinn ... 612&sr=1-8

[gcouyant]

What does 'Vernice' mean?

The regular SIDI Dragons are lorica which is a synthetic and highly breathable leather - but they look dull. Great summer shoe though. I never bother

The Vernice is a high gloss and durable finish aimed at the rider who needs to continue to look good. Pretty popular with riders who want the best in MTB shoes but have an obligation to look professional at all times and in all conditions for their sponsors. That and anyone else who lusts after a luscious looking shoe. They don't breathe as well as lorica but really easy to clean.

[mikesbytes]

So Vernice it is

[mikesbytes]

Man, the witch hunt for a pair at a realistic price is driving me nuts, I keep finding them at the right price in the wrong size.

I'm thinking of some stop gaps, either or both of the following;
Gaerne G.Tekna Bianco Scarpe MTB € 59.90, postage unkown
Diadora X-Country Comp Cycling Bicycle Shoes White US$119.98 + about $20 postage (orders over $300 free postage)

I did find these ones, but I can't tell if they are Vernice
NIB Sidi Dragon 2 SRS MTB Carbon Cycling Shoes 43 US$297.99 + $30 postage

[gcouyant]

Man, the witch hunt for a pair at a realistic price is driving me nuts, I keep finding them at the right price in the wrong size.

Come on Mike you've been in the industry long enough to know that if you want

1. low price
2. correct size
3. the right colour

Well, you can only have two of the three.

Good luck on your hunt.

A word of warning on the size though. In just about any other model of SIDI shoe I am one size bigger than the right fitting Dragon 2. In other words, one size smaller in a Dragon 2. That's with large sizes though - several bigger than your 43.

[mikesbytes]

You know I want my cake and eat it....

My ergo2's size 43 fit perfectly, is there any reason to have a different size for the Dragons? they appear to have identical uppers

And the Sidi's on ebay I posted above, are they Vernice ?

[gcouyant]

You know I want my cake and eat it....

My ergo2's size 43 fit perfectly, is there any reason to have a different size for the Dragons? they appear to have identical uppers

And the Sidi's on ebay I posted above, are they Vernice ?

Yes and I want speed and stamina.

I don't know why the different size. Perhaps it's the carbon sole? I haven't tried the ergos so I'm sorry I can't give you a comparison there.

I think that they are lorica and not vernice you can't go by the picture though. Why not ask the seller?
.

[toolonglegs]

Are you claiming all your cycling stuff back as a tax deduction Mike ?.
Seeing you earn part of your living from cycling ?.

[mikesbytes]

Good idea gcouyant, message sent

Are you claiming all your cycling stuff back as a tax deduction Mike ?.
Seeing you earn part of your living from cycling ?.

ATO Fitness and sporting industry employees - what expenses can I claim?

[mikesbytes]

Dear mikesbytes,

Hello,

Vernice.

Regards,

- riderk2007