Diadora Ergo

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I know a good shoe after 30 years of cycling and Diadora is not a great shoe. For the life of me, I still can't figure out why their design people insist on using the circular heel disc on the underside. Have you ever been on wet pavement with it or a smooth cement/asphalt surface? For get about it, it's like ice. Look at the sewing in the interior of the shoe, and it looks like someone took a lunch break, and ignored the detail
For all those that believe the ratchet adjustment is second to none...please, there are so many other shoe makers with the same thing, works the same, does the same.

Strengths:
Well ventilated is about it. If your looking for a year round shoe, don't get this if you live in a chilly area. I'll take Shimano's design on ventilation over Diadora

Weaknesses:
Back heel lifting off sole after one month, glue weak. Uppers are sloppy and not firm enough for me. People ignore the uppers and want only stiff soles and carbon, but the upper is important on the up stroke and ignored in this shoe

Price Paid:  $50.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
on a bike...

Bike Setup:
Klein Q pro XX, Dura Ace 10sp, Race X Lites

Summary:
I needed to replace training shoes and didn't want to spend a lot of cash. I tried these at the LBS but thought they were too expensive for my needs (probably has more than a little to do with the awful exchange rate for US dollars these days). Fortunately found a pair on ebay (very easy to find these days for $40-$60). They're fairly light, well ventilated, and the ratchet mechanism works pretty well. I'm not a big fan of those things and don't like having little breakable plastic parts but this design is easy to adjust while riding and seems pretty sturdy. I've learned long ago not to make any compromises in foot comfort and they have taken some tweaking to fit properly but overall I can't complain. Take your time getting fitted, of course. My foot is a little wider than average (but not Sidi Mega type wide) and I like a little extra room around my toes for longer rides and these seemed about right. I think the 2-strap design is better suited for tri or randonee riding but if you're looking for a serious racing shoe you probably wouldn't look at these to begin with. I have had no problem with flexing or discomfort from cleats during sprints.

Strengths:
Well ventilated.
Fairly light.
Ratchet easy to adjust while riding.
Easy to find good deal on ebay.

Weaknesses:
2-strap design limits usefulness for some.
Retail price not very attractive.

Similar Products Used:
Sidi, Northwave, etc.

Price Paid:  $120.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere, Anytime

Bike Setup:
Fuji team w/ full ultegra

Summary:
I like this shoe a lot. The ratchet type adjustment works very well to dial in a comfortable fit. You can even make adjustments to fit while riding.

Strengths:
fit, stiffness

Weaknesses:
price

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $120.00

Bike Setup:
Speedplay pedals (Diadoras don't require a shim for Speedplay, unlike Sidis).

155lb, 100mi-a-week

Summary:
After wearing out a pair of Sidi Genius 2s, it was time for new shoes, but the Sidis had 2 serious marks against them: 1) the Sidis recessed cleat area provides the benefit of smaller spindle to sole distance, but it also makes the sole flexier; 2) Sidis pricing has become a scam, and the Genius3 "millenium sole" doesn't justify a 25% markup over the Genius2.

But I really like having a microlock buckle so I can adjust tightness even when wearing booties, and the Diadoras had them.

I noticed immediately that they were stiffer than the Sidis. If you're overweight and like to pretend you're Pantani by climbing while standing, you may get a hotspot in these and any other shoes.

Strengths:
Price. Microlock buckle. Stiffness.

Weaknesses:
A little heavy.

Similar Products Used:
Sidi Genius2

Price Paid:  $80.00 at LBS used by dealer o

Favorite Ride:
Anything 50+

Bike Setup:
Bike...? How about pedal setup for a shoe review - Look 396 / 357 / and 296 on my rides.

Summary:
Good fitting, but not much more. For racing, the sole is too soft - climbing will dig the cleat into your feet! They would make a good recreational shoe, but not at their cost.

Strengths:
Fit well and look nice.

Weaknesses:
Soft sole for serious riders.

Similar Products Used:
Shimano, Specialized, Nike, etc...