This week's GamJams Reviews is on Shoes. If you want to add your own review, do it in the comments or on your own blog and throw a link in the comments.
- First, a primer by bike fitter and physical therapist BethBikes on the biomechanics affected by shoe choice and setup: "The foot, hip, and knee structure are examined and then a decision is made whether to place a pedal spacer, move the cleat laterally, or possibly perform valgus wedging (similar to varus wedging, but the opposite), or do nothing (depending on other variables related to the specific client)."
- BikeRackHeads holds up his shoe choice - Cannondale by Diadora RS1000 Sport Road Shoe - as a warning, not an example: "Performance-wise, these shoes have exceptionally soft and pliant soles and stiff, unforgiving uppers, and are slightly lighter than moonboots. Still, for sex appeal alone, the Cannondale by Diadora RS1000 Sport Road Shoe is worth the performance loss."
- Sweet Home Algomaha has old shoes - the 2005 Lance II model from Nike. Buying a shoe from a manufacturer you're familiar with outside of cycling has its advantages: "They're pretty narrow and very form-fitting. I wore Nike running shoes before I started riding, so the fit works well for me. They're so form-fitting, in fact, that I can't wear super-thick socks with shoe covers in the winter -- all circulation is lost and my feet go numb."
- Did I say old shoes. Fatguy Racer knows Old Shoes, and he assures you that 2005 is no Old Shoe. Try a Carnac Lemond, in service since 1996: "I like the old school laces under straps... I wish I could find a new in the box pair of Lemonds (or Legends as they were called after Carnac dropped Greg as a spokesman)."
- Flamenco Chuckwagon has amortized his Specialized BG Pros over three years, and found them to be a very affordable expensive pair of shoes: "they've clocked an average of around 120 miles a week year round... I'll gripe that they're expensive but they cost about $.02/mile if I threw them in the trash today."
- Corey at District Velocity isn't as overjoyed with the Specialized BG Pro: "One new feature I noticed was that Specialized put a hard plastic mount on the inner sides of each shoe. Using a screw, this allows the rider to adjust the position of the top strap. In theory this is a great idea. In practice, after about 10 miles of riding, the plastic starts to painfully crush into the navicular bone."
- Martin at District Velocity suggests an upgrade to the Specialized BG S-Works: "The Boa system really allows you to ratchet down the shoe fit, and the stiff-as-a-board carbon sole allows for a seamless transfer of power from your legs into the pedals. I also like that higher-end Specialized shoes allow you to add or remove inserts for a better fit."
- Rude Siggy loves his Sidi Genius 6.6 in brilliant white, but warns you not to believe the hype: "A lot of people have told me that I'd never want to go back to any other shoe because of the Sidi "heel cup system." Honestly, I believe that's a gimick, because my old Nike Poggios held my heel in just fine too. The Heel system on the Genius 6.6s I have does not adjust, so it's an extra peice of plastic to make things look neat. Whatever."
- KMAX TRAX is very happy with the Northwave Chameleons he pairs with his MTB; "Much stiffer then anything I've used before with the upper strap clasp. Love these shoes, though they run a half size large so order down."
Upcoming Reviews:
5/7: Pedals
--
About GamJams Reviews:
All cyclists are experts, at least when it comes to our equipment
choices. We know why we chose what we chose, and what we think of the
product after we've been using it. GamJams Reviews channels that
collective expertise - category by category - into a tidy package of
articles designed to help all of us make better equipment decisions.
Buying what pros get paid to use is one way to go. But the candid
testimonial of fellow racers who paid out of their own pocket - that's
an endorsement that really counts.
Fan us.
Follow Us.
Network.
Comments