Carnac Quartz

Price Paid:  $10.00 at Bike Swap

Favorite Ride:
Afton Hills

Bike Setup:
Giant OCR Carbon with Dura Ace, Ultegra mix
Specialized Roubaix Carbon with Ultegra
Specialized Transition TT with Ultegra
Motobecane 105 for bad weather.

Summary:
Fantastic considering I only paid $10! They're used but I gave them the smell test before I bought. They still have some left left in them. I don't really like having 4 velcro straps per shoe but then again, I paid $10!

Strengths:
Aesthetic value is very high.

Weaknesses:
Not sure there are any.

Similar Products Used:
Diadora

Price Paid:  $75.00 at da bay

Favorite Ride:
anything that points up

Bike Setup:
Masi Gran Corsa, Campy Record Ultra.

Summary:
Well first off, I have to say that these are just eye magnets...certainly a cool looking shoe. Like others, the first thing I noticed about them was the weight. Compared to my Poggios and Hautacams, these Carnacs are boat anchors. At the price, I figured I'd at worst have a winter riding shoe and I'll see how they perform on some of the more demanding rides. First couple rides felt stiff with decent performance, though initial reaction is at the price these are new, I'd like to see a carbon sole like the Nikes give.

Strengths:
Did I mention they look cool?

Weaknesses:
Weight. These are heofers for sure, but if they can make a milkshake, who cares.

Price Paid:  $250.00 at LBS in Denver

Favorite Ride:
Masonville, Stove Prarie, Rist Canyon

Bike Setup:
Cannondale R5000, D/A 10 spd.

Summary:
These shoes have to be the worst cycling product I've ever purchased. I am amazed at the lack of any redeeming qualities for a product that costs this much. They are not very stiff, they definitely aren't durable, the aren't simple, and are not anywhere near light. Now, 14 months after purchasing them, they're in the garbage - why? Because the sole cracked.

Here's the timeline of owning these shoes: 2 months after purchasing, the material on the toe boxes started to flake off. 4 months after purchasing, the stupid silver material on the sides started cracking. It fell off a few weeks later, leaving a nice white strip. 6 months into owning them, two of the velcro straps stopped adhering. At 9 months, the neoprene inner bootie started to come unstitched and the adapter plate bolts started backing out. At 14 months, the sole cracked. Ugh. Never again. Back to a carbon soled Shimano.

Strengths:
Uhm ... their initial beauty?

Weaknesses:
Read above.

Similar Products Used:
Sidi, Shimano, Adidas, Specialized, and Diadora.

Price Paid:  $250.00 at LBS

Bike Setup:
Mostly metal with some carbon fiber and rubber bits.

Summary:
These suckers are heavy duty, solid shoes. More support than you usually get and the sole is ultra-stiff. The downside to this sort of constuction is that the shoes weigh a ton. Plus, when it rains they hold an unbelieveable amount of water, pushing the weight even higher (plus they take days to dry out.

To everyone having trouble with the leather scuffing: go buy a tube of Shoe-Goo (you will find it at any running shop or shoe repair) and dab some on the affected areas. Problem solved.

Strengths:
Built like a tank. Stiff. Look good.

Weaknesses:
Weigh as much as a tank. Hold water like a sponge. $$$

Similar Products Used:
Sidi, Look, etc.

Price Paid:  $259.00 at colorado cyclist

Favorite Ride:
any mountain area

Bike Setup:
Aegis Aro Svelte with Campy Centaur

Summary:
Good thing I contacted Sinclair Imports about the fit of the Quartz, as I wanted to see how they compared to the Ellipse. I usually take a 45.5 in Carnac, but Sinclair reps told me to go up to a 46, and they were correct. These are not as roomy as the Ellipse in my estimation. The shoe is constructed well, and looks are only so-so, but they are very heavy compared to Sidi and others. They have an improved heel-counter over other Carnac shoes. Not too bad a shoe, but the price is too much! The sock liner has a plastic backing which I took out, as it was terribly uncomfortable....too hard, and it took up more space.

Strengths:
Great construction; good heel counter; stiff

Weaknesses:
Price; sockliner

Similar Products Used:
Sidi, Diadora, Nike