Specialized BG Pro Carbon

Price Paid:  $179.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Any

Bike Setup:
Archon w/ Campy Record

Summary:
Upgraded from a pair of Cat carbons. The fit is infinitely better as is the latch mechanisms. I have a wider foot but these fit and feel great. Sizing was off as I wear a 12 US but had to get a pair of 46s. Comfort stays even on long rides of 3 + hours.

Strengths:
Comfortable

Weaknesses:
Sizing off slightly

Similar Products Used:
Cat Carbon

Price Paid:  $280.00 at Specialized Webstore

Favorite Ride:
Anything Steep

Summary:
I am the unfortunate of one of the worst road shoes ever made and marketed, the 2009 Pro Carbon Shoe by Specialized. First I started off with the 2008 S-works which caused numbness and slight discomfort, so I contacted Justin as Specialized and he said that he would exchange them for the 09 Pro (since I told him I had good luck with teh 07 pro), so I spent $20 to ship them back. After a week of waiting the Pros arrived in the mail and I put my cheats on to take them for a spin to see the new found comfort... What I was greeted by was strong discomfort, numbness and sharp stabbing pains in my right foot that made it unbearable to ride anymore than 1 block around my neighborhood. When I contacted Specialized again they said there was nothing that they could do and I was stuck with those shoes. When I told them that I was no longer going to be a Specialized Customer, all they said was:

"I am sorry to hear that. Good luck.
-Justin


Specialized Customer Service/Online Store
1137 South 3800 West
Salt Lake City UT 84104
877-808-8154"

So I will be tossing these shoes for something more comfortable and a company with better customer service... Also if anyone is interested in a Specialized Tarmac Pro, Specialized Helmet or a bunch of Specialized Tubes, Tires and a few other items from them please let me know since I never want to deal with them again....

Strengths:
Lightweight and stiffness

Weaknesses:
Customer Service
Numbness
Shape pains
Screw Mount dug into skin causing extreme discomfort

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Pros 2007 Model
Specialized S-Works 2008 Model

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Price Paid:  $183.00 at Chicky & Wesleys

Favorite Ride:
The hils of traverse city Michigan

Bike Setup:
Cannondale R800, full 105 (even pedals), thomson seat post, Specialized BG Tuope Gel saddle, Profile designs T2+ aero bars, Gipiemme Grecal wheels, Conti GP 4000 tires.

Summary:
Even at full price, not many companies give you what these shoes come with; considering what I paid for them, these are a steal. Shoe fit is a very subjective thing so I'll try describe the fit for all of you readers. The heel is pretty narrow with adequate depth, it really locks my heel in place. The rest of the shoe is on the narrower side of average with ample wiggle room in the toes (they are wider than Adidas & Sidi in equivalent sizes). The shoe has very sturdy feel to it (as opposed to the slipper feel of a Sidi). Some people critcize Specialized for trying to "fix" peoples' bio-mechanical problems; the reality is that the minority of people are "neutral" on their pedals. Overall the fit & finish of these shoes are excellent. If they fit your foot, you won't go wrong with these shoes.

Strengths:
-very stiff full carbon sole with walking pads at toe & heel and textured cleat area
-Very adjustable instep strap--will make lots of people happy
-the ONLY shoes on the market that comes with an insole you would actually want to keep.
-synthetic leather doesn't stretch

Weaknesses:
-instep strap is a little stiff--this is the only thing I would change

Similar Products Used:
Sidi Genius 5.5 HT Carbon, Sidi Genius (regular), Adidas pro racer carbon, Nike Altea plus Carbon, Diabora Speedracer Carbon.

Price Paid:  $200.00 at Local

Summary:
Helped reduce the numbness I experience experience in my left foot but did not eliminate it. The x-strap is attached to the shoe with a plain screw which gouged my carbon crank pretty deeply before I noticed it. If you tend to have some foot rub against your crank beware..

Strengths:
Light Stiff

Weaknesses:
Not friendly to cranks.

Similar Products Used:
Sidi

Price Paid:  $220.00 at Bicycle Centers Silv

Favorite Ride:
Estes Park to Boulder Via 36

Bike Setup:
Training: 2006 LeMond Versailles, Full Ultegra, FSA SLK Carbon Crank, DA Chain, Bontrager Race Lite Tires/Hutchinson Fusion Comps, Mavic Aksiums/Shimano R550 Wheelset, Fizik Arione saddle, Yellow Speedplay Zero Ti Pedals

Race: 2006 Kestrel Evoke with full ultegra build, Michelin Pro2 Race tires, Ritchey WCS Deep Section Wheelselt, Selle San Marco Era Composite saddle, Speedplay Zero Pink Ti pedals.

Summary:
I use these shoes every day for traning and overall they are a great shoe, very light weight, very stiff, great power transfer, will stand up to getting hit by a car and still be ridable, and keeps your feet nice and cool. I have them in white which is a downside since they do get very dirty very quickly. I do have problems with hot spots and so numbness in the toes, loosening the lower velcro straps helps a little bit, but not all that much.

Strengths:
Lightweight
Stiff
Great power transfer
Durable
Keeps your feet cool

Weaknesses:
The white gets dirty really quickly
Hot spots
Numbness

Similar Products Used:
Pearl Izumi Juice
2008 Specialized BG SWorks