Specialized Shoes

[jnm2.0t]

I know theres another shoe thread here but I don't want to hijack it.

Looking into some road shoes. Had knee problems in the past so I have pretty much decided on Specialized and Speedplay. Went to the Specialized LBS and tried on some pairs, 44 was a hair too short and 45 had some extra room, so 44.5 seems about right, though they didn't have any in stock. I also have wide feet, the 44e was better than the regular 44 but still was a hair too short. 44.5e seems like it will be best but since its a bit of an odd size they had none in stock in any shoe.

Since Specialized doesn't seem to have any discount online retailers, and I have an odd size it would seem like I am going to be paying full price. The Shimano's I tried on can be found online dirt cheap but not the Specalizeds.

So the contenders are...

Comp Road with M-Lock


Comp Road with Boa



Expert Road with Boa



So the Expert seems like overkill to me, not sure I need the carbon sole but could possibly be convinced.

The next question is between M Lock and Boa. When I was using the Boa in the store I kept feeling like if I moved my foot around a bit I could get another click or two comfortably. This is both good and annoying, good that it can really fine tune the fit, annoying that it can see it becoming very fiddly. The M Lock though, I like it for the simplicity but according the the guy 4 Boa clicks = 1 M Lock click. I could see it being either a bit loose or too tight.

Wanted to get everyones thoughts and impressions though.

[BarnDweller]

I have the Specialized S-Works road shoe with carbon soles and BOA and I love it. My feet tend to swell a bit on longer rides so I just reach down, pop the dial to release some tension, and done. No fiddling around with velcro straps or ratchets. You can fine tune the fit to as tight or as loose as you like.

[merckx56]

Specialized shoes don't work for everyone, usually those with knee issues. I have surgery on one knee, and am in the queue for surgery on the other. I had a pair of S-Works shoes and the tilt of the sole only exacerbated my knee and fit issues.

Be sure of what your issues are before you order them. I found that a pair of shoes with a flat soles, coupled with insoles and wedges, better addressed my issues.

[jnm2.0t]

Specialized shoes don't work for everyone, usually those with knee issues. I have surgery on one knee, and am in the queue for surgery on the other. I had a pair of S-Works shoes and the tilt of the sole only exacerbated my knee and fit issues.

Be sure of what your issues are before you order them. I found that a pair of shoes with a flat soles, coupled with insoles and wedges, better addressed my issues.

Interesting, what is your knee issue? I have some repaired and some removed meniscus cartilage from the inner right knee. Seems like the varus wedge is designed to keep the stress away from the edges, which is where my issue is. This chart that always shows up..



The guy I spoke to at the Trek store (which obviously doesn't sell Specialized) told me to go buy them, he has them and loves them.

[merckx56]

Right knee has meniscus issues, and the Spec shoe straightened the line, but caused pain in the kneecap area. Left knee WAS (before my injury 3 weeks ago) normal and healthy. The Spec shoe caused my knee to bow OUT, beyond the preferred straight line stroke. This also caused my hips to twist.

The knee injury caused a leg length discrepancy, thus, my stroke was off. Make sure you don't have this issue.
With my Diadoras, the wedges and insoles have allowed the stroke of both legs to be straight, no hip twist, and no leg length problem.

Have you had your legs measured? My discrepancy was found during a Retul fitting. All of the wedges and such were put in the mix, and everything is kosher.

[jnm2.0t]

Damn, Retul fitting is $300, at least here. Never had my legs measured, don't even know how to or where to have it done.

[M this 2!]

Bob at Family Cycling Center over the hill from you can hook you up on Specialized stuff. John is the owner but Bob is the GM. My S-Works have been great. The new Boa is better than the old as you can click forward or backwards 1 click at a time w/o releasing all tension. the vargas stuff dials in stuff great. really great! store # 831-475-3883

[jnm2.0t]

Bob at Family Cycling Center over the hill from you can hook you up on Specialized stuff. John is the owner but Bob is the GM. My S-Works have been great. The new Boa is better than the old as you can click forward or backwards 1 click at a time w/o releasing all tension. the vargas stuff dials in stuff great. really great! store # 831-475-3883

Ya thanks but im not going to Santa Cruz for shoes. Besides I can get to the Specialized HQ quicker and easier.

[M this 2!]

Didn't think they sold direct to the public. I'd personally make a reason to go to santa cruz. You're in Palo Alto, that's nothing of a drive. go over, get a deal, go for a super sweet ride over there. There's a reason so many top cyclists have lived, trained, started there. there's tons of safe, awesome riding! Or just have Bob throw them in the mail. you were wanting a deal, hence them being brought up.

[jnm2.0t]

That drive sucks and SC isn't exactly my favorite place. I was also in Aptos last weekend, no interest in going back. It'll take me half the day to get down and back and spend time there, not how I want to do with my weekend.

[jnm2.0t]

So went to the LBS I bought some cruisers from, turns out that was 1 year minus 2 days ago, meaning I still had 10% off accessories. They had some Spec Comp Road carbon sole with ratchets from $170 down to $120, minus the 10% meant $108 in the end. I decided that the stiffness of carbon would be more important than the convenience of the boa so I picked them up along with some Speedplay Zeros.

[bbk]

Good choice. Same road shoe I use.

Best fit for me and after you use the BG platform, it's hard to go to anything else.

[mouseOfMars]

I currently race with the Expert Road with Boa. I don't have any knee problems so I can't speak
from that angle - but the shoe is overall good. I have had a number of times where the boa tension
adjuster popped loose during a race. Kind of annoying.

I picked them up because I got a really good deal on them - probably would not have bought them
if they were full price.

[BrownBear]

I've raced for 11 years now (age 24) and with different teams and sponsors I've developed a favorite shoe. If I can play devils advocate, have you looking into Mavic? My feet always develop hot spots. Specialized were the best shoes I owned until I had a pair of Zellium shoes from Mavic. Seriously felt like socks on my feet and with a low arch specialized insert I was golden.

Edit: I'm not the only one who shares this opinion

[GoLoaf]

I have the Specialized S-Works road shoe with carbon soles and BOA and I love it. My feet tend to swell a bit on longer rides so I just reach down, pop the dial to release some tension, and done. No fiddling around with velcro straps or ratchets. You can fine tune the fit to as tight or as loose as you like.

I have the same shoes, and we're on the same page. The on-the-fly adjustability is fantastic. I picked them up when I got the Tarmac (see them both below). I was going to go with the normal velcro specialized shoes, but the S-Works boa shoes felt too great not to get.

[VR6JetPilot]

same experience with me except with mountain bike shoes. i've ridden with specialized shoes for 15+ years and just recently switched to mavic razors. WOW, so comfortable. the only issue is that they're squeaking.

I've raced for 11 years now (age 24) and with different teams and sponsors I've developed a favorite shoe. If I can play devils advocate, have you looking into Mavic? My feet always develop hot spots. Specialized were the best shoes I owned until I had a pair of Zellium shoes from Mavic. Seriously felt like socks on my feet and with a low arch specialized insert I was golden.

Edit: I'm not the only one who shares this opinion