Specialized 05 Comp Road Shoe

Price Paid:  $70.00 at Ebay.com

Favorite Ride:
carlsbad

Bike Setup:
2006 Lemond Sarthe

Summary:
These are my 1st pair of road shoes, but I tries on others like Nike and Sidi. These fit my foot the best by far. I have had problems with ingrown toe nails because of my big feet, but These had plenty of room in all the right places. I have the US 14. I usually wear 13.

Strengths:
Price is right.
Don't look too bad.
Ratchet gives a nice secure feel.
roomy toe box.

Weaknesses:
The paint wears of the straps after a while, but you can remove the rest of the paint with acetone.

Price Paid:  $75.00 at City Bicycle Works

Bike Setup:
2008 allez elite

Summary:
Been a mtb rider since '94 and got the road bug this year. Like the bike selection process I took long and tried many including: shimano, time, forte, and louis garneau (which are a great fit but cost $40 more); The SIDI genius in stock were too uncomfortable and getting the wide is special order on top of costing lots more whether at LBS or online. In my haste I mail ordered pearl izumi but they were painfully narrow. I came to terms that my feet are not only small and wide at ball but my right foot protrudes at the bunyon making it hardest to fit. This model was on clearance and I tried it on on a fluke, kept on one foot to compare with others. In the end I only struggled with the ugly silver color but decided the price was too good to pass up. Judging by my first outing, it was an excellent decision. No doubt I'll buy other shoes (still want SIDI) and these will leave the BG lineup but I expect they will be with me for a long time relegated to the trainer.

Strengths:
Great fit out of the box on a hard to fit wider foot.

Weaknesses:
no air vent in the sole makes me wonder if I made the right choice

Similar Products Used:
shimano
pearl izumi

Price Paid:  $135.00 at L.B.S.

Favorite Ride:
Lancaster PA

Bike Setup:
Bianchi Veloce. Basically nothing changed except pedals which are Look pp357s.

Summary:
At last a pair of shoes that offer comfort like my old pair. Sizing varies compared to other manufacturers so be careful if buying online.I wanted a pair of shoes that offered a rachet closing system without having to pay a fortune. Specialized beat all others for price, comfort, durability.

Strengths:
Ratchet closing system excellent.
Color is perfect
Soles are good and stiff

Weaknesses:
None so far

Similar Products Used:
Diadora.

Price Paid:  $150.00 at lbs

Summary:
The body geometry system really works. The first time you try these shoes they feel different, your feet/legs are at a slightly different angle but it feels just so right.
I'll never use anything but Specialized now.
I use size 47 and have flattish and narrow feet, these shoes are very comfortable.

Strengths:
Perfect angle

Weaknesses:
Buckle feels flimsy but works fine in practice.

Similar Products Used:
Sidi Genius

Price Paid:  $120.00 at Black Mountain Bicyc

Favorite Ride:
Up Calle Cristobal or the foot path at Torrey Pines

Bike Setup:
2007 Trek 1000 Discovery Channel Blue/Black

Summary:
HALLELUHAH! for Specialized! I've got wide, flat feet. Pearl Izumi narrow. Nike narrow. SIDI narrow with a rock for arch support. Lake what? Forté CR310 ouch! Shimano R075 okay but slightly tight toe box.

The Specialized titanium colored Comp Roads sparkle in the sunlight, providing a roomy toe box, no pinching of the outside edge of my foot, and a very flat surface for my very flat feet. It feels as if I'm walking up an escalator, not wedging my feet in a rain gutter. The little raised center insole seems to alleviate any possibility of hot spots under the ball of the feet. My feet will continue to be comfortable long after I'd give up from leg cramping or exhaustion.

Strengths:
Flat foot riders unite!
Wide toe box. Wide, flat sole.
Wallet not opened wide to buy SIDI shoes.

Weaknesses:
No toe vents? Oh well, I don't mind heat if my feet are comfy.

Similar Products Used:
SIDI Genius 5, Forté CR310, Shimano R075