Diadora Cosmo

Price Paid:  $99.00 at Local Bike Shop

Bike Setup:
Cannondale R800

Summary:
Shoe is comfortable and fairly cool to wear due to the vented sole.

Strengths:
Shoe is comfortable and cool to wear due to the vented sole.

Weaknesses:
Heal pad on this shoe is hard plastic. I've actually slipped and fallen just walking in these shoes. It takes a pure idiot to design a cycling shoe without a nonslip, replacement heal. These shoes are actuall dangerous and I regret no paying a little more and getting a better designed shoe.

Price Paid:  $99.00 at online (nashbar, per

Favorite Ride:
you name it

Bike Setup:
who cares.

Summary:
These were my first pair of road shoes I bought while getting into the sport 5-6 years ago. They are a good value, but not comparable to the higher end shoes. They do not hold the heel well, and I don't trust that my foot won't come out of them in a sprint. The sole is also much more flexable than my racing shoes.

Strengths:
Price, comfort.

Weaknesses:
Not snug fitting, Flexy sole.

Similar Products Used:
carnac quartz.

Price Paid:  $24.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Hotter 'N Hell 100

Bike Setup:
Custom steel Patarek with Look pedals.

Summary:
I picked these up very slightly used on Ebay. I needed a new daily training shoe. I was using a pair of 2-strap Performance shoes to train. The Cosmos are a much better shoe. The heel cup is kinda big on my narrow heel, and the toe box is almost too cramped. These are a 46. I might could've gone with a 46.5. Overall, though, I am able to adjust them on the fly and get good fit. Even though the heel feels loose, it hangs onto my foot through sprints and out-o-the-saddle climbing. I actually have to think about the shoes to really find anything that annoys me. They aren't the match of a higher end shoe, but I'm very happy with them. They lack the stiffness in the sole of the Sidi's. They are a great training shoe for the price I paid. I've only put about 400 miles on them. They supposedly had 300 on them when I got them. So, their durability remains to be seen, but they are holding up well right now.

Strengths:
Price, comfort, they look good in a generic silver cycling shoe kinda way.

Weaknesses:
A little soft in the sole for competitive riding.

Similar Products Used:
Sidi, Shimano, Performance.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
In general a good shoe, although I did have a few gripes. I've raced on them for a season and Used them since last year with a variety of pedal systems, and they've held up well. The shoe works well to reduce hotspots in both SPD and Time pedal systems.

One gripe is purely personal, the heel cup doesn't secure my heel well enough on the upstroke, but all feet are different so I can't really hold that against the shoe.

While the shoes are very comfortable due to the ICS (Induction Cooling System, or air scoops on the sole) the stitching on the uppers has started to come apart after only about 14 months.

Strengths:
Cool, comfortable, nices stiff soles.

Weaknesses:
Stitching on uppers.

Similar Products Used:
Lake, other Diadora.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Lemond Ti
Ultegra
Speedplay Zero Ti

Summary:
I've used these shoes for two and a half seasons now. For a shoe under $100 I'd have to say they're a no-brainer. I've replaced my Look cleats twice and recently went with the Speedplay Zero system and have never experienced stripping in the cleat plate.

The upper has held up great - including the velcro.

The sole is now nearly as soft as a moccasin! I would NOT consider this a problem with the shoe however. The shoe is good for what it is - a entry-to-mid-level shoe. If you race and log LOTS of miles in these shoes, you'll only get one good season. I've stretched my through a second season, but I've developed hot spots. I can bend the shoe in half EASILY now.

Strengths:
Price.
Looks good.
This is a great shoe to get you started.

Weaknesses:
Sole gets soft rather quickly. Doesn't have the lifetime of the Genius, or anything with carbon sole.

Similar Products Used:
Nike, Sidi, Shimano