Bike Setup: Compact and traditional framed road bikes.
Summary: I am very picky about shoes, particularly where all the pressure points contact my feet, where all the plastic pieces are mounted, where the straps are placed, etc. I am like the "Princess and the Pea" in that I can feel every imperfection.
With that being said, the uppers of these shoes fit very well and are extremely comfortable. I have no spots of discomfort. The upper is designed so that the pressure from tightening the straps is spread out across the top of the foot. The bottom strap is also located high enough that there is nothing that can rub against my toes. The neoprene tougue and ankle pading are extremely comfortable. The shoe is well ventilated. And the soles are very stiff. I can ride these for miles and miles without any problems or discomfort.
The only minor problems with these shoes are that the insoles had a hard plastic arch support, the end of the plastic strip used to tighten the top strap can rub against your crankarms, and the cleat adaptor is poorly designed. the first two can be easily fixed. I used a heat gun to soften the glue and remove the plactic arch support from the bottom of the insole, and I trimmed the plastic strap all the way down so that it won't rub. (In reference to the review below. Carnac is not the only shoe manufacturer who puts the loose strap on the inside. I know for a fact that Sidi does the same thing, although it's thinner. If you trim the excess all the way down to where it inserts into the buckle, then it won't rub.)
As for the adaptor, you have to use one regardless of what cleat you use. The problem with the adaptor is that the plasic used is so soft that you can't use too much force when tightening the screws that hold the plate on. Overtightening will pull the screw heads right through the adaptor plate. Carnac should use harder plastic. WIth that being said, I have have not had any problems with the adaptor or any screws coming loose even with the reduced torque used to attach them.
NOTE: The Matrix runs about a half size smaller than other Carnac shoes like the Ellipse and the Platinum.
Strengths: Extremely comfortable. Very sturdy. Placement of straps well designed. Nice looking (I have the black, red and silver version). Very stiff soles. Good ventilation.
Weaknesses: Don't like plastic arch support on insoles. Adaptor plate needs to be harder. A little on the heavy side as compared to other top racing/performance cycling shoes.
Similar Products Used: Time Equipe Pro, Time Equipe Profile, Sidi Genius 5 mesh (didn't like), Carnac Ellipse (didn't like either). Carnac Platinum.
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Bike Setup: Litespeed Tuscany, Bontrager Race-Lite wheels, Brooks saddle.
Summary: I bought these shoes because they were on sale and because of Carnac's reputation. They are indeed comfortable, and fit well on my feet. The buckle design is poor. Even when I cut down the buckle straps, the straps still rub against the crank arms.
Strengths: Quite comfortable.
Weaknesses: High cost, no touch-up polish available in the correct color, and the poor job they did with the buckle. The strap's loose end rubs against the crank arms! I can't figure out why Carnac designed the strap opposite that of every other manufacturer, and placed the strap's loose end to the outside instead of the inside. The shoes are a bit heavier than comparable Sidis.
Similar Products Used: Sidi Titan, Shimano
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Bike Setup: Litespeed Tuscany, Bontrager Race-Lite wheels, Brooks saddle.
Summary: I bought these shoes because they were on sale and because of Carnac's reputation. They are indeed comfortable, and fit well on my feet. The buckle design is poor. Even when I cut down the buckle straps, the straps still rub against the crank arms.
Strengths: Quite comfortable.
Weaknesses: High cost, no touch-up polish available in the correct color, and the poor job they did with the buckle. The strap's loose end rubs against the crank arms! I can't figure out why Carnac designed the strap opposite that of every other manufacturer, and placed the strap's loose end to the outside instead of the inside. The shoes are a bit heavier than comparable Sidis.
Similar Products Used: Sidi Titan, Shimano
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Summary: I like these shoes, they are very stiff and rugged, they look like Tonkas, they feel great in the bike for short rides (3 hrs. or less). They seem to have a "brake in" period, I'm sure they get better with time. I feel a different kind of sensation pedalling with these than with any other shoes, Sidis are better in comfort but lack of enough stifness, Shimano carbon soles are the best in stiffness but not that comfortable. I agree with most of the people that has used Carnac, the heel is so comfortable and surrounds your heel very well. If something bad has to be say, is about the small room for the toes, I have a very thin feet but these are small in the front, so I can feel a small amount of numbness in my toes. Also, not a very good option for longer than 3 hrs. rides, since this numbness can get really to a point where is pain and sore. Not a good option for Triathlons since they require a bit more time to adjust properly. I like them for, hills, flats and fast courses, they are also very suited for sprints.
Strengths: Stiffness, good looking, they look tough, they deliver a different sensation in pedalling power, very confident. Well ventilated.
Weaknesses: Price, weight and small toe space.
Similar Products Used: Sidi
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