Northwave Typhoon S.B.S

Price Paid:  $190.00 at Subito Cycles (staff

Favorite Ride:
Mornington Peninsular Australia

Bike Setup:
Felt F35
7800 Dura Ace
Fulcrum racing zero
Pro vibe bars and stem
Ritchey post WCS
Fizik Antares saddle

Summary:
I have had 3 pairs of Shimano shoes size 46 and my last pair being R300 custom fit. I have a wider left foot and found that even the R300 shoes when custom fitted never felt perfect because of the shape of my foot. So when I was due to purchase a new pair of shoes a mate recommendde the Northwave Typhoon.

I was able to fit into size 45 in these and they are slightly wider and have a roomier toe box compared to the Shimano shoes. The straps and buckle system are by far the best I have used. The ratchet works precisely and the single click release and mirco adjust are perfect.
They just fit me perfect, very comfortable and great power transmission.
Cleat adjustment allows lateral movement, good ventilation. I got the 2010 white/black model.

Strengths:
Strap and ratchet system are second to none.
Very stiff - comfortable - wide vented toe box.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Shimano R300

Price Paid:  $120.00 at BikeBling.com

Favorite Ride:
Hiway 101, San Diego, or Lake Tahoe

Bike Setup:
Look 565, SRAM Red/Force mix, Speedplay Zero pedals

Summary:
Very nice road shoe! Slightly wider than Sidi standard width, not quite as wide as Northwave Aerator from a couple of years back. Despite comfortable forefoot width, heel is held solidly in place, including during hard effort out of saddle climbs and sprints. Carbon composite sole is plenty stiff, I don't notice appreciable stiffness difference from full carbon soles on other shoes. No hot spots. Uppers are very well finished both outside and inside - extremely comfortable. I've worn mid- to high end Sidi, Carnac, Diadora, Adidas, Mavic, and other Northwave road shoes - like Typhoons the best. Note - I wear a 12 in street shoes and most cycling shoes, but the 46 (Northwave says that's US 13) Typhoon fits me better. Consider going 1 size up from whatever size you normally wear. I haven't raced in many years, but would happily have worn these for racing back in the day. Great shoe - highly recommend!

Strengths:
Reasonable forefoot width with solid heel support. Good sole stiffness, no hotspots (I run Speedplay Zero cleats).

Weaknesses:
Agree with previous reviewer - these are pure white, and I wouldn't want to mess them up in nasty weather. Then again, not much of an issue in San Diego! :-)

Similar Products Used:
SIdi Genius 5.5, Northwave Aerator, other shoes from Mavic, Adidas, Diadora, Carnac

Price Paid:  $125.00 at Sigma Sport, K-o-T,

Favorite Ride:
Surrey Hills (various routes)

Bike Setup:
and I use Look cleats. Red (9 degree float) looks smartest with the shoes (I happened to have unused ones from previous purchase) but I am used to grey (4.5) so I expect I shall go back to these.

Summary:
Now in my 40s my riding was negligible in recent years due to parenting and work mostly then a knee op this year. I bought Specialized BG a couple of years ago and whilst supposedly ideal for wider feet I did not find them as comfortable as my old Sidi Genius 2 that saw about 12 years before being retired.

So, I decided to relegate the Specialized to wet or winter riding, the first time I will have the luxury of different shoes.

I wanted to try Northwave as they are also reputed to be good for wide feet. The Typhoon SBS were on a special at Sigma and I bought some other things, got loyalty discount from previous purchases and so I probably paid less but certainly no more.

I like these, ideal as a summer shoe. Early days but I am very very happy.

Size 46 by the way.

4 stars given for value because like many pastimes, cycle shoes probably cost £10 to make and the pricing is hideous from all shoe manufacturers. We can buy craftsman-made smart or casual shoes for this money in the West and two pairs in the East.

Not sure what currency the review will show, 125 is GBP

Strengths:
The upper shoe is soft and forgiving and os much more comfortable than the Specialized or my old Sidi. Time will tell whether this means they do not wear as well, a few rides in it is too early to tell.

The tongue, adjustable top leather fastener and the 'SBS' ratchet system are very good and much better than my old Sidi ratchet system although I suspect all manfuacturers have moved the game on in this respect.

Sole is nice and stiff so I notice no + or - compared with my Specialized here.

You can feel the air coming through the toe box and it is a good feeling on warm weather rides. I suspect you have to take the inner sole out if you want the air flow under your instep to do it's thing too but I have not felt the need.

Weaknesses:
I don't mind getting caught in the rain but I would not want to ride these in the wet intentionally as the bling white finish (I didn't care but that's what they came in) may well suffer and the toe would probably encourage water in.

Similar Products Used:
Sidi Genius 2
Specialized Carbon BG (no obvious name on them)