Specialized 05 Comp Carbon Road Shoe

Price Paid:  $70.00 at Kozy Cyclery

Bike Setup:
1989 Bianchi Campione (steel frame)
I know that it is old - but with a mortgage 3 kids and a 2hr one way comute to work each day - you just got to gently work into you mid-life crisis!

Summary:
After a 10+ year layoff from either running or cycling, I have gotten back into working out again. I picked these shoes up on clearance at a local Downtown Chicago store and have really liked their feel and fit. No presure points and the neoprene sock liner provides a snug but non binding fit which allows expansion of your foot inside of the shoe.

Strengths:
Price since I got a great deal on the shoe

Weaknesses:
non other than it does not have that high-end flash appeal

Similar Products Used:
I wear tested a New Balance cycling shoe back in the late 80's

Price Paid:  $150.00 at Gray Goat (Indy)

Bike Setup:
Fuji - Roubaix with Time RXE pedals

Summary:
I just purchased a pair of Specialized carbon comp shoes after trying on about 10 different shoes. I couldn't find anything with all the features at $150 or less. The neoprene booty replaces the tounge so the fit is perfect. The three straps are easy to adjust. The grippy things on the bottom heel and toe actually provide a bit of traction. The mesh works well to keep the toes cool. I'm not sure if the hump does what they claim; however, they are so comfortable that you forget that they are on. The sole is unbelievably stiff.

Strengths:
Fit, Price, ventalation, carbon sole

Weaknesses:
slight squeak - may need more breakin time

Similar Products Used:
Time Equipe, Lake

Price Paid:  $150.00 at spokes etc

Favorite Ride:
tothe pentagon

Bike Setup:
2004 trek madone 5.2 usps with duraace pedals

Summary:
I have the 04 model which looks like this model. I don't feel the bump in the sole
like the other guy does.

Seems to be a pretty stable shoe - price was about right for me (allowed me to
get DuraAce pedals). If I really pull up on
the upstroke - I can feel the shoe trying to catch up. These are my first bike shoes - so I don't know if that is normal/expected or not.

I did hurt my right foot in these shoes
on a very big hill (18%) once, that hurt.. not sure if a different hill and amount
I was trying to push on my feet, or the shoe. But that has heeled up.

Strengths:
Good entry level shoe without the price.
Comfortable. Cool.

Weaknesses:
none really?

Similar Products Used:
teva sandals

Price Paid:  $150.00 at Fun Sport Bikes--Sto

Favorite Ride:
San Joaquin Delta

Bike Setup:
Trek Madone 5.2 stock (postal livery)
Ultegra SPD-SL 6610 pedals
Shimano Flight Deck
Sigma PC-14 HRM

Summary:
These are great shoes. I was immediately impressed the moment I tried them on. Then I noticed a bump under the ball of my foot, which made me wonder. Apparently this is a design "feature" intended to help spread the metatarsal bones in the foot. I wondered if it would bother me on longer rides but so far no problems whatsoever. I was having bad problems with my feet going numb with my previous shoes, so this was particularly important to me. The first ride out with these shoes I had no numbness at all. I am very impressed.

I also like the neoprene sock-type tongue replacement. This is very comfortable. The straps are adequate and the ventilation good. They are also stiff (carbon fiber sole)

Strengths:
COMFORTABLE
Light (590 gm/pr for sz 42)
Stiff
Great value for a CF road shoe

Weaknesses:
Laquer on CF soles chips, but I guess that is common to any CF shoe.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Sport Mountain Shoe
tried on : Sidi's, Shimano, Nike, Cat 1, Addidas, Diadora

Price Paid:  $0.00 at ?

Favorite Ride:
prototype titan

Bike Setup:
proto type titanium with 04 chorus, 02 shamals, itm millenium, USE alien, SLR, nokon cables, SPD-SL.

Summary:
i have wide feet and have struggled to find shoes that dont make my middle toes numb after 30 mins. having tried shoes from virtually every maker: luck to DMT to diadora, nike, duegi, sidi, time, carnac, vittoria etc etc etc ... i found a stockist of specialized and finally found shoes that fit.

the shoes are light and have a thin but very stiff sole (considerably more so than the diadoras i had last). the clear lacquer has chipped in a couple of places but doesnt seem to have affected the carbon weave or its integrity. the 3 straps are adequately long enough and allow for a good amount of adjustment. a feature i particularly like is the lack of tongue - instead the shoe has a kind of stretchy neoprene sock that holds the foot snuggly.

Strengths:
shoes look good and are understated in black and gun metal. very comfortable and good fit for wider feet. stiff sole that is lasting so far.

Weaknesses:
not sure if the body geometry thing is a gimick - still not sure exactly what it is or if it is making a difference to me or not.

Similar Products Used:
vitoria, duegi, diadora, addidas.