I rode for 5 years and probably 50,000 miles in a single pair of Sidi Genius
3s. They were awesome. I still use them for my indoor workouts. After all those years and miles,
the velcro finally started to lose its grip and the edges around the ankles were splitting.
Note that there was not a single split seam anywhere.
I replaced them with a set of Sidi Energy shoes. They were OK, but it was a pain to release the
dial-activated/fishing line closure system. Also, I believe the little stiffness adjuster in the
sole WAS INDEED just a gimmick. I couldn't tell any difference and, after the first week, one of
them just froze up and couldn't be moved anymore. I got creamed by an idiot teenage driver talking
on a cell phone and that pair of shoes were cut from my feet in the ER. They were only a few
months old.
I just got a set of Sidi Genius 4s and I've got about 400 miles on them (all the miles I have out on
the road since I got cleared to ride by the doc). They seem quite comfortable -- just like the old
Genius 3s to me. You do have to take care not to over-tighten them.
Somewhere along the line I tried a set of Nike -- their high-end road shoe with the carbon sole. I
tried them before I got the Sidi Energys. I'm glad I got them from my LBS. They were awful and he
took them back after I rode in them three times.
I had a set of top-end Shimano shoes years ago. No comparison to the Sidis. They stretched out
pretty badly. Couldn't say that would hold for today's models.
Bob C. "Chris M" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news
[email protected]...
> If the Sidi shoe fits you, stay away from G4 and Energy. The strap creates hot spots at a
> sensitive nerve branch. If you like to keep your straps tight, this may cause problems for you. I
> have seen close-up photos of
pros
> with the older G3 style strap (Sidi makes custom shoes for most of the pros).
>
> To support my point, and give you an alternative, you will notice that it has been revised again
> new "Ergo 1" back to the G3 style closure. Be
warned
> that the Ergo 1 has a CF sole and the price is close to $300.
>
> The adjustable sole (the spinning doodad on the bottom) seems to be a gimmick. I know many people
> who say they can't tell any difference. Mine fell out and I did not notice. It is worth noting
> that the Sidi shoes have the best straps.
>
> You might look in to the Ultimax by DMT. They get rave reviews from
everyone
> I know that has tried them. They have 2 mount points for the ratchet and
you
> can replace the ratchet\strap combo with Sidi mico adjustable straps. It
is
> hard to find without the expensive CF sole, and hard to find in a color other than white (in the
> US) but these are wonderful shoes.
>
> "Per Elmsäter" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
>
news:[email protected]...
> > I'm currently looking into getting a pair of shoes for my roadbike. I'm using my MTB shoes
> > SH-M082 now and realizing they weigh about twice as
> much
> > as road shoes, I'd like to get something more fitting my racer.
> >
> > I've looked into the SH-R214 and Sidi Energy shoes. Anyways they seem to
> be
> > the best I can find locally. Does anybody have any experience of these shoes? For instance does
> > anybody ever use the adjustable sole on the Sidi's or
is
> > it just a sales gimmick?
> >
> > Leave out the advice that the one that fits best will be the best. I
will
> of
> > course make my final decision based on the fit. However if the fit is
> equal
> > I'd like to get the lightest shoe with the best functionality. I intend
on
> > doing a couple of longer recreational races this summer. One 300 km race
> and
> > a 4 day stage, plus of course a couple of shorter TT's
> >
> > --
> > Replace the dots to reply
> >
> > Perre
> >
> >
>