Shimano SH-R300

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
Madone 5.9 postal bike

Summary:
Purchased the ShimanoR300 and have been diappointed with the results. My shoes are not even six months old and the heal pads are coming off. The front to support is also very weak and has great signs of wear. This all from just putting my foot down at stop signs. I have done very little walking in my shoes and for the money this will be my last pair of shimanos.

Last week I bought a pair of SIDI Ergo 2 shoes with the replaceable heals which is a great asset, but this is the finest shoe I've ever worn. They are well worth the money. They felt great on mile 5 as they did on mile 60 the other day.

Strengths:
Shimano - Light weight and breathable

Weaknesses:
Very fast heal wear. NO REPLACEABLE. Custom fit was good for three months but stretches out and you will need to get them re-fit. Unfortunately, the heals will wear out well before the shoes need replacement.

Price Paid:  $300.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
NA

Bike Setup:
NA

Summary:
I recommend this shoe to anyone but especially if you have been hard to fit, because of wide or flat feet. The shoe does not have "excessive" built in arch, like Sidi and does not run narrow.

The attention to detail is superb. The velcro straps are very flexible, fasten and adjust easily but grip strongly. The tongue has a little elastic gusset near its top center so it does not place pressure on the tendons where your foot flexes above the instep. The heel lining is durable and has little, gentle frabic grippers to hold your socks in place.

The custom fit is nice but the shoes are comfortable from the get go because the upper material is the most comfortable, foot conforming material I have encountered. The shoes are also well ventilated. You'll need shoe covers in cool weather.

Strengths:
As described in the review

Weaknesses:
The gaudy silver

Similar Products Used:
Side, Rocket 7, Nike, Specialized

Price Paid:  $0.00 at East Ridge Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
Mountain Cove Farms

Summary:
The conforming shoes are a good idea and makes for a good fitting shoe. The big problem for me is that there is a seem on the inside of the shoe that is right on top off my little toe. It puts light presur on my toe that doesn't bother me initially. After about an hour, the seams becomes very uncomfortable. I checked every pair at the local bike shop and they all have the same seam. I guess these shoes just don't work for me. I think I will have ti go back to Sidi or Carnac.

Strengths:
Custom fit
Stiff sole

Weaknesses:
UGLY
Uncomfortable after a while

Similar Products Used:
Sidi Genius 5
Carnac M5

Price Paid:  $0.00 at EP

Favorite Ride:
Flat Crits

Bike Setup:
irrelevant, other than SPD-SL pedals

Summary:
Awesome fit, sizing is a bit weird relative to prior Shimano shoes.

Strengths:
Stiff, great fit, comfortable and secure closures.

Weaknesses:
Spendy, runs a bit wide and long, not as breathable as previous high-end Shimano shoes like R214

Similar Products Used:
Sidi Genius, Shimano R214, Carnac

Price Paid:  $350.00 at Local shop

Bike Setup:
Serotta Ti with DA, Rol Wheels, Reynolds Carbon Bars, Terry Carbon saddle and Time Pedals.

Summary:
I never used Shimano shoes in the past as they always seemed to be too wide. I gave this shoe a try based on reviews I read, and shop talk, and I don't regret it. I haven't had them custom fit yet and they still fit great. They are comfortable right out of the box. The sole is nice and solid and the shoes feel great mile after mile. I am waiting to get custom insoles before I get the shoes custom fit, but I am very curious how they will feel afterwards. They seem very well built and durable; a bit pricey, but worth it in the long run. I compared these side by side to the Sidi Ergo 2, and it was an easy decision. I have a narrow and low volume foot, and they fit very nicely. I was using the Specialized Carbon pro shoes, which I really liked, I just need to move away from the canted sole.

Strengths:
Fit, solid sole, quality construction, custom fit option, pads included for the insoles, and good ventilation.

Weaknesses:
The colors are a bit bold and spacey, but not too bad. The micro adjust rachet is a little cheap looking, but works well enough. These are very minor comments as I can't find any serious weakness for the shoes.

Similar Products Used:
Sidi Ergo 2, Specialized Carbon Pro, and Sidi Genius.