Shoes Specialized Comp Road: A Disaster

I recently bought 2003 Specialized Comp Road shoes. My decision was based on excellent experience
with their 2001 Team mtb shoes. I have a Dura Ace spd pedals, old style (not spd-r). Boy, what a
shock it was when I tried to place the shoe plates where I wanted them, in the so called "neutral
position" (ball-over-the-axle). No way. Max backward position of the ball of the foot that these
shoes allow is 5 mm *in front* of the axle!!! And Specialized explicitly states that their shoes are
compatible with Shimano spd. Well, if they think "compatible" means "screwable", they are right. But
"compatible" means "offering every possibility as original product". But, Shimano R210 shoes offer
generous 10mm *behind" the axle position. Conclusion: Specialized Comp Road shoes are not spd
compatible!

Then I thought: OK, let's try Look pedals with Specialized shoes. The story was the same. When the
plate is pushed max forwards, the ball of the foot still remains 5mm *in front* of the axle. While
Shimano R210 offers generous 10mm *behind* the axle. Conclusion: Specialized Comp Road shoes are not
Look compatible.

Summary: Specialized shoes are nor Shimano not Look compatible. If I lived in America, I would have
sued them for misleading the customer. In Croatia, with the shoes bought in Austria I can only hope
to get my money back.

Dear friends, stay away from Specialized Comp Road shoes.

Happy ride,

Predrag

 

The position of the drillings is different per brand and sometimes even per model. I always take my
old shoes when i'm shopping for a new pair to check if my cleat position is possible.

"Predrag Jovanovic" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I recently bought 2003 Specialized Comp Road shoes. My decision was based on excellent experience
> with their 2001 Team mtb shoes. I have a Dura Ace spd pedals, old style (not spd-r). Boy, what a
> shock it was when I tried to place the shoe plates where I wanted them, in the so called "neutral
> position" (ball-over-the-axle). No way. Max backward position of the ball of the foot that these
> shoes allow is 5 mm *in front* of the axle!!! And Specialized explicitly states that their shoes
> are compatible with Shimano spd. Well, if they think "compatible" means "screwable", they are
> right. But "compatible" means "offering every possibility as original product". But, Shimano R210
> shoes offer generous 10mm *behind" the axle position. Conclusion: Specialized Comp Road shoes are
> not spd compatible!
>
> Then I thought: OK, let's try Look pedals with Specialized shoes. The story was the same. When the
> plate is pushed max forwards, the ball of the foot still remains 5mm *in front* of the axle. While
> Shimano R210 offers generous 10mm *behind* the axle. Conclusion: Specialized Comp Road shoes are
> not Look compatible.
>
> Summary: Specialized shoes are nor Shimano not Look compatible. If I lived in America, I would
> have sued them for misleading the customer. In Croatia, with the shoes bought in Austria I can
> only hope to get my money back.
>
> Dear friends, stay away from Specialized Comp Road shoes.
>
> Happy ride,
>
> Predrag

 

"Ronald" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> The position of the drillings is different per brand and sometimes even
per model. I always take my old shoes when i'm shopping for
> a new pair to check if my cleat position is possible.

That's wise thing to do, of course. Every lesson has it's price. But, I've weared out 4 pair of mtb
shoes and 3 pairs of road shoes, never encountered a single problem. Not even with Specialized mtb
shoes which, I must say, are the best mtb shoes I would recommend to everyone. That's why I feel so
shocked, stunned, outraged, deceived.....you name it. I think it is the big shame for the big S.
*And* I think I'm stupid to believe the "compatibility" gospel.

Happy ride,

Predrag