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

[Eden]

I switched from Sidis to Specialized recently - love, love, love the new shoes. They have a much more square toe box. No more pinched toes. I also like that I can actually get a high end shoe, unlike Sidi that doesn't make several models in my rather small size. I understand that they will even be bringing out the uber high end S-works shoe in women's sizing this year - its on their web site, but not available yet.

[redrhodie]

Funny this thread came up. I just ordered a pair of the Specialized BG Pro Carbon MTB shoes, which should be coming today or Monday. I've been using Specialized shoes for years, and love them, but I wanted to give carbon soles a try. My guy at my lbs got me a deal on last year's model (about half price).

I'll let you know what I think next week after I try them for a few rides.

This is the model:

http://www.specialized.com/cn/en/bc/...jsp?spid=26199

[GLC1968]

I'm still a Specialized fan! Wide foot here - Sidi's were never an option for me.

Since my last posts on this thread, I have now also bought the Specialized BG Pro Carbon MTB shoes (mens version for more width). I wear these when I ride my commuter bike (which is essentially a touring bike). I wanted the ability to walk around in my shoes but my old MTB shoes were still giving me foot trouble for rides longer than 25-30 miles. When my commute became 40 miles round-trip, it was time to upgrade the shoes. I wasn't sure if my SPD pedals/cleats would allow me to ride those distances with my foot issues even with carbon soles, but so far, so good. Due to fitness issues, I don't commute as much as I'd like, but I have definitely worn this combination for long rides and had no foot trouble at all.

I think for me, the pedal system is the least important in terms of foot comfort. The bigger contributors are sole stiffness and toe box width. That said, I do still have pedal preferences for other reasons of course.

[redrhodie]

Just found out my shoes won't be in until next Tues, so I'll update later in the week.

I'm glad you like the shoes, GLC! I can't wait (but alas, I must).

[radacrider]

Funny this thread came up. I just ordered a pair of the Specialized BG Pro Carbon MTB shoes, ....

I just rode home on a new pair of these today from my LBS. Very comfy, (finally replaced a pair of extremely old Nike Nguba shoes). (10 mile round trip). Good toe box room, firm pedal pressure.

Need to still do some fine tune cleat fitting, but very nice shoe.

[redrhodie]

I just came from the lbs, where the shoes were tooooo small. Sadness My other shoes are also Specialized mtb, so ordered the same size (40). Go figure. The same size is smaller.

On the bright side, a new pair was ordered a half size larger, and I will have them soon.

I've noticed it's becoming more and more unpredictable as to whether shoes will fit, even within the same brand. For years, I could buy an 8, and they pretty much fit like an 8, it didn't matter if they were boots or sandals. Now, an 8 might fit like a 7 or a 9. Anyone else notice this, or is just me? I'm a bit of an Imelda with Keens, and I have them in a range from 7.5 to 8.5, that's 3 sizes for the same brand of shoe. Don't you think they should be able to standardize it? How hard can it be?

Okay, rant over.

[redrhodie]

I gave my new shoes, which came yesterday and fit perfectly, a try this morning. I love them. When I first put them on, I was a little unsure about the length of the tongue, but since the top strap is adjustable (fore and aft as well as length), it turned out to be fine.

Right away I felt like I was using different muscles, but I'm pretty sensitive to any changes I make on the bike, and these are much stiffer than my old shoes. Since it was already in the 80s, with 75% humidity, I decided to keep it an easy ride. I still noticed a slightly faster ride for the effort, and the headwind sections felt a little easier, which may be psychological, but I'll take it!

I had good toe room, and no heel slippage. The "x-link closure system" was great. At first I made them a little too tight, but I didn't have any trouble loosening them one small step. They stayed put for the ride, and if they weren't brand new, I wouldn't have noticed them at all. Very comfortable, stiff, and easy to walk in. They also feel lighter to me than I was expecting from the weight listed on the website. They're definitely much lighter than my Keen "commuters".