Price Paid:
$345.00
at Chicagoland Favorite Ride:
Blueridge Parkway Bike Setup:
GT Zaskar LE1000
Shimano Dura-Ace
Mavic Ksyriums Summary:
I purchased these shoes primarily based on their appearance which you can't help but notice if you read Cyclesport, Procycle, Velonews, etc. Boonen, Van Petegem, Valverde, and a slew of other hotshots wear them. A very distinctive albeit expensive pair of shoes for sure. My particular shoes are Road Pros, which have the Microtech closure system.
The first time I got a chance to try them out was this past weekend in Lexington, KY, at the Horsey Hundred, a hilly, winding century past some of the Commonwealth's most beautiful horse farms.
I couldn't ask for anything more than what these shoes delivered. The soles, which have an embedded titanium plate, felt as stiff and supportive as my older pair of Shimano R214s ( the newer Shimanos were documented in a recent Velonews test as the stiffest-soled shoes available). These shoes have a glove-like fit; that is, snug, but not uncomfortably so.
The Microtech closure system allows the wearer to get a tight, secure fit around the top of his foot but certainly isn't as intuitive as some other closure mechanisms. The sole markings allow for straightforward, no guesswork cleat mounting. Incidently, the Northwave's run a bit large, with a size 44 equating to a size 45.5 in the Shimanos.
Although I can't account for their long-term durability, the shoes' craftsmanship appears excellent. Definately an excellent alternative to all the Sidis, Shimanos, and Carnacs out there. Strengths:
-The best-looking shoe currently available
-Stiff carbon fiber sole
-Widened toe box and cork insole bed provide a comfortable, glove-like fit Weaknesses:
-White and red version is difficult to keep clean
-Expensive! Similar Products Used:
-Shimano R214
-Carnac Ellipse
-Carnac Legend
-Shimano R210
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