[hycobob]

I've had 2 pair of SIDI shoes...a pair of Titans (older red pair) and Genious (4?). The Titans were great for a few years until I started getting hotspots and replaced them with the Genious 4. The Genious are still in near new shape but I started getting hot spots with them too fairly soon. I've noticed the Genious seem a bit narrower than the Titans. I have also been pulling my hair out chasing down a nasty bike creak, that now sems to be the Genious soles. I think this is it, since after going on a 50 mile I heard them creaking while walking on a tile floor. I flexed my feet different ways and sure enough they creaked like an old door hinge. The soles still feel stiff when I try to flex them in my hands but I guess that isn't enough force vs. them on my feet. I am debating getting another pair but am interested in other riders views on their Sidis. Today I've seen SIDI Titans with carbon soles for $145 and SIDI Genious 5 with Millenium 2 non-carbon soles for $148. For a little rider info I weigh about 190-195lbs and pedel at 85-95avg cadence on typically flat & windy sea level roads.

Thanks, Bob

 

[alienator]

I've had 2 pair of SIDI shoes...a pair of Titans (older red pair) and Genious (4?). The Titans were great for a few years until I started getting hotspots and replaced them with the Genious 4. The Genious are still in near new shape but I started getting hot spots with them too fairly soon. I've noticed the Genious seem a bit narrower than the Titans. I have also been pulling my hair out chasing down a nasty bike creak, that now sems to be the Genious soles. I think this is it, since after going on a 50 mile I heard them creaking while walking on a tile floor. I flexed my feet different ways and sure enough they creaked like an old door hinge. The soles still feel stiff when I try to flex them in my hands but I guess that isn't enough force vs. them on my feet. I am debating getting another pair but am interested in other riders views on their Sidis. Today I've seen SIDI Titans with carbon soles for $145 and SIDI Genious 5 with Millenium 2 non-carbon soles for $148. For a little rider info I weigh about 190-195lbs and pedel at 85-95avg cadence on typically flat & windy sea level roads.

Thanks, Bob

No, they're not crap. I've got nearly 6000 miles on mine, and they're still great. FWIW, I weigh 175, spin at 90-100, and nearly every ride has at least 1000ft of climbing.

I don't know about the creaking you hear....could be loose cleats or something else....but your "hotspots" could be the result of an insole that doesn't suit your foot and shoe last that doesn't really fit.

 

[ARP]

JEEZ Bob, use your brakes!!

Don't drag your feet!! Seriously. the problem is not so much the soles as it is the insoles. Paper thin. You might try replacing them with something not to thick to make your shoes fit tightly.

 

[Tommasini]

My sidi's make noise....but.....

My sidi's make some "noise" when you walk in them but my take on it is that it is the loricia and nylon mesh doing what's natural - not anything to do with "bad" soles. Hot spots are typically something to do with how the shape of your foot interacts with the shape of the sole and /or soles that are toooooo rigid (ala some carbon jobs being pushed on us all). Remdies inclue trying other insoles, socks, etc. but also might mean that your foot is just not compatible with the basic design. Crap - hell no - just might need to try the alternative (and expensive) trial of riding a few other brands. Keep in mind however that Sidi makes narrow, std, and wide styles to try to cater to nearly all types of feet.

 

[Fignon's Barber]

personally, I wore sidis from 1988 until about 1999. They lost me when they went to that millenium sole. they basicly took the genius 3 sole,which was quite stiff, and cut the thickness in half in the area of the sole where you need it. In my opinion, the genius 3 was sidi's finest shoe, although I haven't tried the carbon soled ones.

 

[rbart4506]

My wife's Domintor MTB shoes are squeaky too, but it's definitely the Lorica...Not the soles...

 

[battaglin]

got genius 5

fits great! but flexy and I too develop hotspots after 2hours riding. compared to shimano r151 carbon soled shoes, sidis are way too flexy. making my toes curl as I pedal hard, probably to compensate for the flex. heck, even my exustar carbon is better during 6hrs riding. no hot spots. my opinion is that after you've tried a full carbon sole shoe, sidis will be too flexy. noticed it minutes into my first ride on the G5s.

 

[Tino Chiappelli]

Hotspots are frequently caused by incorrect cleat placement. If you haven't had a fitting done, you may want to try that.

WIth that said, Sidi shoes work great for a lot of riders, but they aren't the answer for everyone. If you've been properly fit (including cleat placement), then you may want to look at a different brand of shoe.

 

[botto]

Are SIDI soles crap???

No




...

 

[Mr. Versatile]

fits great! but flexy and I too develop hotspots after 2hours riding. compared to shimano r151 carbon soled shoes, sidis are way too flexy. making my toes curl as I pedal hard, probably to compensate for the flex. heck, even my exustar carbon is better during 6hrs riding. no hot spots. my opinion is that after you've tried a full carbon sole shoe, sidis will be too flexy. noticed it minutes into my first ride on the G5s.

AMEN!! I rode Shimano's for many years. Recently switched to Sidi Genius, & don't like them a bit. They're comfy, they fit all right, but their soles are indeed flexy / weaker than the Shimano's. Compared to the Shimano 151's they also weigh a ton. My experience is identical to yours.

And then there's that STUPID buckle! I'll leave that for another day.

 

[hycobob]

Getting a pair one size larger

I'm going to try getting a new pair of SIDI Zeta Carbons and go with a size 45 instead of 44. I've ridden with 44s for awhile now and they don't allow for any toe box room. I tried on the regular sole Zeta and Genious 5 in a size 45 and the feel was good. Tomorrow they get here and I get the first ride with them...yes I ordered them from Performance and used the LBS for proper sizing. In my defense, I tried 4 local shops first and none had even heard of the Zeta Carbons. Gotta love the level of knowledge up front at the typical LBS. When I really need to get the straight scoop I head to the back of the shop and talk to the wrenches.

 

[Matno]

The only Sidi soles that suck are the really expensive replaceable ones on their MTB shoes. Apparently, since they're replaceable, Sidi decided to make them REALLY wimpy (okay, they're supposed to be "grippy"), then charge an arm and a leg for the replacements. Fortunately, their standard soles are still very durable. I'm still trying to figure out why anybody would want to wear road shoes though. I wear exclusively MTB shoes (with Bebop pedals), and I'd go crazy trying to walk in regular road shoes. I laugh every time my buddies have to put on cleat covers so as not to damage their Look cleats. (Granted, there are a lot of people who love Look pedals - I'm not one of them). Then again, I'm not the type to carry my shoes to a ride, and then change them right before hopping on the bike...