Tiebao Shoes on Aliexpress.com - Scam?

[Scott Gigante]

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a pair of road shoes online. I've found a Chinese brand called Tiebao who sell what look to be decent quality shoes on Aliexpress - has anyone had any experience with these guys, or buying off Aliexpress in general? Are they the real deal?

Here's the link: http://www.aliexpress.com/store/200900/209456405-366633017/Free-Shipping-Hot-selling-Tiebao-road-cycling-shoes-bicycle-shoes-TB02-B903-0402-Good-packaging-.html

Thanks,
Scott

 

[alienator]

Unless I knew how a certain shoe fit and how easy doing exchanges or returns was, I wouldn't order online. It's doubtful you'll find many people at all that know anything about those shoes.

 

[timtak]

I would like to know about Tieabau shoes too. One can get composite soled Tieboa road shoes for 60USD delivered. I can get some Shimano's for not much more but I like the colours.

Also, while I like Shimano shoes, they are not terribly durable. I don't like pay more than 70USD for shoes, that hardly touch the ground, that I wear for 3 or 4 hours a week, that wear out in two years.

If the Chinese suppliers could be persuaded to use China Post instead of EMS then the Tiebau shoes would be about half the price of Shimanos.

I would like to know the weight and durability. Please would someone post a review. Perhaps I should buy some to be the first English language reviewer!

 

[alienator]

I would like to know about Tieabau shoes too. One can get composite soled Tieboa road shoes for 60USD delivered. I can get some Shimano's for not much more but I like the colours.   Also, while I like Shimano shoes, they are not terribly durable. I don't like pay more than 70USD for shoes, that hardly touch the ground, that I wear for 3 or 4 hours a week, that wear out in two years.   If the Chinese suppliers could be persuaded to use China Post instead of EMS then the Tiebau shoes would be about half the price of Shimanos. I would like to know the weight and durability. Please would someone post a review. Perhaps I should buy some to be the first English language reviewer!  

It's generally a bad idea to buy shoes, especially cycling shoes, without trying them on first. Also, I don't know what's happening with you Shimano shoes, but I had a pair of Shimano shoes for three years while cycling year round. When I was done with them it was because foot injuries caused the shoe to no longer fit as well. They definitely had a lot more life in them. Given that AliExpress classifies those shoes as "running shoes".........well, I'd not be in a rush to buy shoes from anyone that doesn't get right what kind of shoe they're selling. As a bonus, the site doesn't say a word--at least that I can find--about what, if anything, they'll do if you try to return shoes that don't fit.

 

[Scott Gigante]

After a bit more research, I did end up buying a pair of Tiebao cycling shoes. It wasn't a scam, and the shoes themselves worked fine. Unfortunately, the ratchet system is kind of cheap and nasty. They'll work fine, and are great value for the price, if you don't like your shoes super-tight. If you do, it's probably worth shelling out for a higher quality pair of shoes.

 

[timtak]

Dear Alienator and Scott

I am aware it is a good idea to try on shoes. It is just cycling shoes are so expensive. I want to find some cheaper alternatives. There are lots of online companies that are selling Tiebao shoes but I can't find any reviews.

Thanks Scott!

"Great value for the price"

Yeah! That is what I wanted to hear.

I am looking into the non-rachet, velcro only type so the ratchet problem will not be a problem for me.

Please would you be so kind as to tell us the model number, size, and above all weight of your shoes?
How about durability? Or the stiffness of the sole?

I'd love to read a general review and see pictures of some Tiebau shoes that have had some
wear - so that I can see how they wear (out).

Also, your thoughts on the sizing (length and width) of the shoes would help greatly.

I find that I purchase one size bigger in Shimano shoes than I do in other (e.g. trainer) shoes.
Is this the case for Tiebao? Did you purchase your normal size and did this work out okay?

Cheers

Tim

 

[alienator]

After a bit more research, I did end up buying a pair of Tiebao cycling shoes. It wasn't a scam, and the shoes themselves worked fine. Unfortunately, the ratchet system is kind of cheap and nasty. They'll work fine, and are great value for the price, if you don't like your shoes super-tight. If you do, it's probably worth shelling out for a higher quality pair of shoes.

It's not just about whether or not shoes are "super-tight". It's actually about whether or not the shoe last is one that is suitable for your feet (for example, European shoes with relatively narrow lasts and narrow toe boxes vs. shoes built for a American feet, i.e. wider lasts with wider toe boxes. It's for reasons like that and getting the proper size (not all shoes are sized the same) that makes it not a good idea to buy shoes online without having tried those shoes on already. Someone might get lucky and get something that works from AliExpress, while others may get shoes that don't suit their feet and may end up screwed, specifically because AliExpress doesn't mention what options the customer has should the shoes not fit. Quality online dealers will let you return those shoes, but AliExpress really doesn't market itself as a quality online dealer. It certainly doesn't speak well of them that they can't even figure out that cycling shoes are cycling shoes, not running shoes. A way better idea is to actually look online for US online bike kit dealers, like Pricepoint. They have shoes as low as $39.98, AND they don't charge a restocking fee if the shoe doesn't work for you. REI has shoes as low as $69.93 and will let you return your shoes for any reason at any point. That means if you wear those shoes for 2 years, you can still return them. Sometimes--most of the time I'd argue--it's worth paying a little more to get way better customer service.

 

[timtak]

Thanks Alienator
All you say is true.

Dear Scott,

I hope you post a review. If you do please also mention the width, (which alienator points out can vary) as compared to other shoes in whatever country you are in.

 

[timtak]

A year later and the uppers of the top notch Shimano shoes I got second hand are coming away from the lowers. So I'd like some more ratchet or ideally BOA shoes - I am not going back to just velcro - but Shimano/Sidi/Specialised/Lake are rather expensive. My ideal would be some Lake shoes from a year or two ago with the BOA dial at the heel, but they are about 300 USD. I want to pay less than 100.

Giro APECKX shoes seem to be discounted at the moment.

There are Ratchet Tiebao bike shoes with a carbon look (but probably nilon) sole for about 80 USD and BOA shoe (though perhaps with nylon not stainless steel laces) at 130 USD.

I also have an almost moral (?) preference for purchasing from the Chinese, who I believe may be making many of the famous "Western" brand shoes (& Ipads/computers/bikes). Tiebao used to use the catch copy "Specialized in Manufacturing" which I thought might be a hint. My problem is that there is almost no information that I can find regarding their size, weight, quality, ride, stiffness. I hope there are some more reviews (I'd like to read a lot) soon.

I can't understand what this Italian review is saying but it seems at the 2:15 or so point the reviewers is demonstrating that the soles are not stiff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MJsn0oXYmc

 

[jcas]

Hi all, just joined the forum and saw this thread. Though old thread but thought to put my 2 cents in. Yes, Tiebao BOA shoes are cheap (with shipping) and it's not a scam. I have been using a pair for several months and they're great. Decent quality and very affordable.There's also a review here: http://ridingpaniagua.com/?p=188

 

[timtak]

Thanks.

 

[gingercatnz]

I have a pair of these with the BOA adjustment - Ridden for a couple of weeks and and they're the best shoes I've had so far.

 

[wahmed]

Buying shoes online that you cannot return is a bit of a gamble. You never know how well they fit. Their comfort level or even how they actually look. I wouldn't buy them to be honest with you