Sidi Genius 5.5 HT Carbon Mesh

Price Paid:  $0.00 at on-line

Favorite Ride:
Any Sportive

Bike Setup:
Specialized Roubiax Expert (2007)
Standard Setup but 700 x 23 Michelin Pro

Summary:
The SIDI Genius Road Shoe delivers everything I wanted in a road shoe. It is incredibly well made and incredibly comfortable for any Sportives. Size 42 in regular width is slim but fitted my narrow feet like a glove. Many years of riding in cheaper shoes was really a false economy - these are so well made that they'll last a lifetime.

Strengths:
Quality and fit are exceptional
Parts are replaceable
Fantastic styling

Weaknesses:
Normal width fitting really is for narrow feet.

Similar Products Used:
Shimano SPD (several pairs)

Price Paid:  $350.00 at Mad Cat Bicycles, Sa

Bike Setup:
It's a road bike. Do you really care?

Summary:
I really wanted to love these shoes. I really did. So I looked past the fact that the compression strap didn't seem to hold right. I replaced the straps, and hoped everything would be all right. It wasn't. For some reason or another, the inside part of the compression strap would slip on both of my shoes under any kind of power (sprinting, climbing, etc). I'm no light guy (240 lbs), but expect a lot more from a shoe in this price range. Sadly, these shoes had to go back.

Strengths:
They have the "ooh ahh" factor.

The other half of the compression strap (the buckle) is excellent. Never any problems with that, although I wish they hadn't changed the buckle design.

Everything is easily replaceable, including the heel pad on the bottom and the straps. A nice touch.

They do come in the mega width, which is great for my wider foot. Unfortunately, no shops ever have the mega widths, so I had to special order them. Thank goodness the guys at Mad Cat Bikes in Sacramento CA were willing to work with me on it.

It may seem like a small thing, but the owners manual comes with a bunch of Sidi stickers. I love stickers.

Weaknesses:
Compression strap slipping, as mentioned below. I would write that off as a problem with the specific shoe though.

The shoes do not vent very well. It gets pretty hot where I'm at, and my feet felt like they were in little saunas 5 miles into any ride.

Heel slippage. I really wish that Sidi would introduce the heel cup adjuster they have on the 6.6 in a shoe that allows mega widths (the Genius 6.6 is only available in standard widths.)

The manual is obviously translated from the Italian, and the translator needs a new job. While you don't really need to read the manual ("Put shoe on foot, dummy"), it would have been nice if the manual was readable.

Big bucks for these shoes. Two chilies on value because they aren't the most expensive thing out there (especially in a wide width), it's still a ding to the wallet and a long explanation to the wife about why my bike shoes cost just as much as half of her shoe collection!

Similar Products Used:
Specialized something or other. Wrong size.
Shimano SH-M181 on my mountain bike.

Price Paid:  $350.00 at Mad Cat Bicycles

Bike Setup:
It's a road bike. Who cares?

Summary:
I really wanted to love these shoes. I really did. So I looked past the fact that the compression strap didn't seem to hold right. I replaced the straps, and hoped everything would be all right. It wasn't. For some reason or another, the inside part of the compression strap would slip on both of my shoes under any kind of power (sprinting, climbing, etc). I'm no light guy (240 lbs), but expect a lot more from a shoe in this price range. Sadly, these shoes had to go back.

Strengths:
They have the "ooh ahh" factor.

The other half of the compression strap (the buckle) is excellent. Never any problems with that, although I wish they hadn't changed the buckle design.

Everything is easily replaceable, including the heel pad on the bottom and the straps. A nice touch.

They do come in the mega width, which is great for my wider foot. Unfortunately, no shops ever have the mega widths, so I had to special order them. Thank goodness the guys at Mad Cat Bikes in Sacramento CA were willing to work with me on it.

It may seem like a small thing, but the owners manual comes with a bunch of Sidi stickers. I love stickers.

Weaknesses:
Compression strap slipping, as mentioned below. I would write that off as a problem with the specific shoe though.

The shoes do not vent very well. It gets pretty hot where I'm at, and my feet felt like they were in little saunas 5 miles into any ride.

Heel slippage. I really wish that Sidi would introduce the heel cup adjuster they have on the 6.6 in a shoe that allows mega widths (the Genius 6.6 is only available in standard widths.)

The manual is obviously translated from the Italian, and the translator needs a new job. While you don't really need to read the manual ("Put shoe on foot, dummy"), it would have been nice if the manual was readable.

Big bucks for these shoes.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized something or other. Wrong size.
Shimano SH-M181 on my mountain bike.

Price Paid:  $220.00 at Competitive Cyclist

Favorite Ride:
Rolling hills and country

Bike Setup:
Cervelo R3, Campag Chorus Gruppo and Neutrons, FSA cranks, Look pedals

Summary:
The product I have is the CSC Team edition which is the 2006 5.5 HT Carbon which now is virtually the 2007 6.6 HT . Only diff appears to be an archilles support??
After having a pair of Shimanos 151's for approx 3 years I decided it was time to test the hype and water around the Sidis. I ride approx 4-5 times a week with a yearly tally of approx 8 - 10,000+ kms so comfort is a major concern. The Shimanos in comparision are heavy, now full of hot spots even after inserting foot beds and not a pleasure to pull on at 5.30 in the morning.

So now to the Sidis. First impression on the foot is lightness not that the Shimanos were very heavy.The next thing that hits you is shear comfort as this shoe is a well crafted delight rather than a mass produced item. It took me approx 2 rides to set these fellas up to maximum comfort. A slight length adjustment and a sideways adjustment ( both approx 1 - 2 mm ) and the cleat position is perfect ( no pressure points), which in turn makes transfer of pedal effort a max. The delight about the Sidis is that you can accurately feel the pedal centre whereas the Shimano it was completely lost in the sole of the shoe. Connection to the pedal is positive. Stand up and stomp and the stiffness of the shoe is apparent but never in a harsh way. Mooch and just roll and it is all comfort

Now the crunch. Some people will say a shoe will make you a better rider.I do not exactly belive this. However these shoes are so comfortable and technically sound that you will ride longer in the saddle.There is better feedback from the shoe/ pedal combination that then helps you make adjustments to your pedalling style. This will make you a better rider and definitely Sidi has had some involvement in this.

In summary I am certaily converted, both comfort and power transmission cannot be faulted. Bought them as a clearance item as a CSC Team edition is white. Some might balk at white but I for one do not care as I got a bargain and white is the new black

Strengths:
Comfort, light, excellent connection/feedback from the pedal. Stiff enough for excellent power transmission but never harsh.
Great adjustment options with velcro and rachet closures

Weaknesses:
Cannot imagine any. Some might say dollars but what good is a cheap shoe if you cannot keep it on your foot or every pedal stroke hurts

Similar Products Used:
Shimano (2 pairs)SPD and 151's. Adidas

Price Paid:  $225.00 at Japan

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere away from cars/trucks.

Bike Setup:
All Dura-Ace DeRosa Merak, Deda Newton Bar, Stem, Seatpost (Black Stick). Fizik Aliante saddle, Vittoria tubulars.

Summary:
These shoes will make you a better rider. They fit like gloves on your feet, so there's less "wind drag" as you pedal. Plus, they're so light you save tons of energy over the course of a ride. The quality of materials and craftsmanship is as good as it gets. The shoe upper is so soft, most comfortable thing I've ever worn. Just a brilliant design, well worth the money. And with regular, narrow, wide (mega), and half sizes, there's no excuse not to get a perfect fit - which is essential for a cycling shoe.

Strengths:
*** Fit. With regular, narrow, wide (mega), and half sizes, there's probably a perfect fit for you.
*** Comfort. Lorica upper is so soft, conforming perfectly to your foot.
*** Lightweight, saves a ton of energy over the course of a ride.
*** Superb craftsmanship.
*** So well designed that you simply "cycle better," more efficiently.

Weaknesses:
None. Make you get a proper, snug fit. These dogs are worth every penny.

Similar Products Used:
Just various heavy, stiff, lumbersome mid-priced cycling shoes. You get what you pay for.