Shoes: Specialized Carbon Pro's (Women's)

[ladyicon]

Hi starfish. I just bought a pair of the shoes you speak of. I found a store with last years model and only paid $129.00 They are like wearing slippers and the difference in the power you feel when you ride with them is amazing .
The toe box is bigger, but it lets me wiggle my toes a lot, and also I get no holes in my socks at the toe.
Mine have the 3 velcro straps, I am wary of the buckles I see on some shoes. Which do you ladies prefer? Straps or that ratchet buckle thing?

[Starfish]

Wow, sounds like you got a great deal on some nice shoes. I have never ridden with a ratchet buckle, but I intend to! The ones I tried on in the store were terrific. I loved how well they helped the shoes fit just right, and I love the idea, for centuries, of being able to reach down and loosen or tighten just a little depending on how much effort I need for that stretch, or if my feet need a little change in pressure, etc.

I will be curious to know how your stiff carbon soles feel at the end of a long day...like a century.

[GLC1968]

I just bought last years' carbon pro model in the men's (I have quite wide feet) and so far, I love them! I just rode a century this past Saturday, but I used my old (non-carbon) specialized road shoes because I haven't quite gotten the cleat placement right on the new ones, yet.

Have you checked out Specialized's site? That's where I got mine (again, last years model) for a great deal. Perhaps they still have the ones you like available?

[ehirsch83]

I have the same shoes! I got them when i was with the ex fiance, so he EPed them for me(oh how i miss employee pricing!). I have had them since April, I think, and I love them. They are a great shoe. If you can find them at a discount I say go for them!

[Starfish]

Have you checked out Specialized's site? That's where I got mine (again, last years model) for a great deal. Perhaps they still have the ones you like available?

No, thanks for the tip. Actually I forget to check their site for stuff like this, because I find the site loads and navigates really slowly. So, I needed this reminder! Thank you...

[Starfish]

Has anyone done long rides (Centuries or 8+ hours) with carbon soled shoes?

How is the stiffness on all day rides?

[JanB]

Hi Starfish...I have the Specialized carbon-soled shoes (the ones with the dial you turn to tighten) and I love them. I did my first century with the new shoes a couple of weeks ago and they were great. I had issues with my toes falling asleep and sometimes a burning sensation but since I got these shoes, those problems are much better. I have the red specialized insole in them also-wide feet, high arches.

[Starfish]

JanB, thanks. I've only had one pair of biking shoes ever. I read stuff about stiffness of soles vs. comfort for all day, but don't have experience!

Those Specialized shoes were SOOOoooo comfortable in the store, though!!