Carnac M5 Carbon

Price Paid:  $150.00 at online

Favorite Ride:
duh! I live in NM!

Bike Setup:
Scott CR1 with the FORCE and HED alps

Summary:
Well, I've always wanted to try-em so now that you can find M5's on Ebay for under $150.00 I thought that now was the time....
1st off they DO NOT have the wide toe box that made Carnacs famous.
They are wonderfully stiff (compared to my Pearls) but if you like a wide shoe you will be disapointed.
It is going to take some time getting the fit down. They have some weird seams (unlike my Pearls) that I was not expecting and after finishing my last century they felt horrible. Also the heel slips like mad, so much so that you really have to ratchet down the buckle.
So I have to weigh if the incredible stiffness is worth discomfort. I will not use them again on the next century.
Finally they are not any lighter than my non-carbon Pearls. Overall they are a disapointment, keep yours eye out for an ebay bargain.

Strengths:
Stiff, stiff, stiff!

Weaknesses:
narrow toe box, weird seems on top of foot

Similar Products Used:
Pearls, Specialized

Price Paid:  $199.00 at extreme gear and tra

Favorite Ride:
anything long and sunny

Bike Setup:
R1000

Summary:
These shoes can be described with one word, sweetness. They look amazing ( i have the black, gold, and white motif) and they are super light. They also have a wider toe box which is really nice because I have had problems in the past with toe numbness and pain from shoes that grab your foot too tight. The ratchet is a great feature also because it allows you to adjust the tightness without unclipping. Look for good deals online for last year's model and save serious $$! Love them.

Strengths:
-Super light
-Universal 3 hole platform allows compatability with most cleats
-Wider toe box
-very stiff and responsive
-ratchet tightening device

Weaknesses:
-be careful ordering them online...sizes may vary
-if i had paid full price..wayyy expensive

Similar Products Used:
Nike Poggio, C-dale

Price Paid:  $229.00 at www.gearandtraining.

Favorite Ride:
Any ride where I'm off the front

Bike Setup:
Eddy Merckx Premium, Pinarello Stelvio, Olmo Gara Pista

Summary:
Carnacs have come quite a ways since the Legend, Eclipse, and Platinum models that helped make them a staple in the U.S. Their new lineup has some winners in it, including their flagship M5 carbon. I'll spare you from any, "these are the best I've ever owned" comments. Afterall, at their standard price point ($329 - $369), they are the most expensive cycling shoes I've ever purchased - So they should be the best. Actually, I got them on sale for $229 at www.gearandtraining.com and www.glorycycles.com has them on sale for $199.00. Obviously, these are closeout prices for the 05 model, and the 06's are closing out at about $299 as of August, 2006.

The white carbon soles are nice and stiff, but the shoe does not produce hotspots. They are nicely ventilated, and they look great. The shortcomings are in the buckle and sizing departments.

The buckle seems somewhat flimsy for a $300+ shoe. I'm afraid to ratchet it down on the move while riding because I'm afraid I'll rip it off or something. Another example of weight savings at the expense of strength. Oh yes, the shoes are very light. As far as sizing is concerned, they seem to fit true to size, but they don't have the typical Carnac feel. Gone are the familiar wide toe box and vamp (roominess for the top of the foot). Additionally, I've got a pet peeve about the lack of easy availability of a true size tweleve. For Carnac, this is 45.5, not 46 as many retailers will lead you to believe. However, the 45.5's are very hard to come by, and most retailers are representing the 46's as 12's, but they are really size 12.5. This may not be a problem for everyone, but there are a lot of size 12 cyclists sloshing around in size 46/12.5 M5's. If you wear a size 12, beware!

Despite some of the drawbacks I mentioned, they are good shoes, and I'm happy with my purchase. I'd buy them again, if I had reason too.

Strengths:
Weight, stiffness, looks, materials (excluding the buckle).

Weaknesses:
Flimsy quality of the buckle, departure from Carnac's traditional shoe last (cut/sizing). You'll notice that I only gave them a 1 in the value rating catagory. In my opinion, a flimsy buckle on a $300 shoe is just inexcusable. Good shoe with plenty of redeeming qualities, but a flimsy buckle and a high price kills the whole value thing for them. If you are looking for value, I'd suggest stepping down to the composite sole version. The composite soles are still stiff (definitely stiffer than sidi's), but nothing performs like a full carbon sole but a full carbon sole.

Similar Products Used:
Carnac Legend, Carnac Phoenix, Sidi Genius 5, Sidi Genius 4 carbon, Shimano R-210, etc.

Price Paid:  $329.00 at Extreme Performance

Favorite Ride:
70 degrees, no wind, sunrise

Bike Setup:
Trek Project One / 10 speeed Dura Ace
Mavic TDF wheels
Fizik saddle
FSA Carbon handlebars

Summary:
This is the fourth pair of Carnac shoes for me so I am a dedicated fan of this brand and the fit. Please know that this shoe is a complete re-design and is dramatically different than Carnac's previous flagship road shoe, the Quartz. The M5 is far lighter than the Quartz and features an updated ratcheting buckle made popular by other brands in recent years. The shoe is also great looking and doesn't have that fragile chrome-look strip on the sides like the Quartz. (the one that that always peeled off after a season or so) This shoe has an extremely low profile and a heel cup that does not grip your heel nearly as firmly as the old Quartz model. It will really take some getting used to but I think in time, it will not be an issue. The toe box is still roomier than most brands, but not as spacious as the Quartz. I refer to these shoes as "dancing shoes" and that is exactly how they feel. There are a couple of "bumps" in the inner lining just under the top buckle, but another reviewer says these disappear after a few hours of riding. Two things to note: Due to the added bulk to the sides of the shoe from ratcheting buckle- When I first tried these on the bike, the buckle brushed against my crankshafts on both sides of my crank. I use Speedplay zeros, so I was able to adjust the cleat and fix the problem. This could be an issue with other fixed float pedal systems. As far as fit, I had to try 3 pair before finding a pair that fit. Ultimately I bought a 43 but another 43 I tried was aalmost an inch longer! If you by via Internet, make sure they have a liberal return policy in case you need to try different sizes. Steve at Extreme Performance Gear and Training was outstanding and worked with me to get a good fit.

Strengths:
super lightweight, excellent new buckle system, great looking

Weaknesses:
doesn't have traditional Carnac fit, sizing inconsistent.

Similar Products Used:
Carnac Quartz
Carnac Elipse

Price Paid:  $360.00 at Excel Sports Boulder

Favorite Ride:
Fast

Bike Setup:
Trek 5500, Dura-Ace 10spd, Fizik Aliante, Record seat post

Summary:
This are one of the greatest shoes I have use, light, stiff, comfortable, airy, look great, very good grip, durability? (not really in a good position to confirm this yet). I have been Carnac user for about two years now, and the Matrix and Silex where on my feet before the M5 Carbon, I also tested the M5 and Helium, not one compares to this ones, the Silex are one of the best but too heavy, the Helium has the same sole but they lack grip at the heel and the upper like-leather seems very low quality. I like the air hole on the sole, they get chilly on winter but a pair of covers do the job and on hot days these are welcome. The ratchet makes it job, even though not as milimetric as the Sidi's, but the velcro straps are better and feel stiffer. The best feature of course are the aluminum carbon fiber soles which deliver a great amount of stiffness, they don't feel hot on summer and I ride in really hot and humid weather (south-east California). They feel very comfortable with SpeedPlay X/2 and with the new 3-hole pattern the installation is a breeze. There's one thing I don't like about the mesh Carnac uses on the upper, it looses its shiness at the first touch with a wet cover or while you clean them, but this is a minor concern.

Strengths:
Stiff, light, airy, good grip, after 6 months of use still looking good, Carnac finally get rid off the old hole pattern and use the the universal 3-hole.

Weaknesses:
Mesh loses shine after very little use (rubbing or cleaning).

Similar Products Used:
Carnac Silex and Matrix,, Sidi Genius 4, Sidi Energy II, Sidi Ergo 1, Shimano R215.