New bike shoes

joey100

I'm probably in the market for a new pair of bike shoes, currently using Mavic's and even though I like them I'm looking for something new for my next pair. Looking online I like the giro empire's, hard to justify the price tag though. Anyone have any experience with these? How did you find the laces? Otherwise if anyone has seen these in flesh in any bike shops in Dublin can you let me know, would like to try them on and if possible buy them in person rather than online.

Other than that if anyone has any recommendations I'm open to be persuaded to try something else. Cheers folks.

dancrowley

joey100 wrote: »

I'm probably in the market for a new pair of bike shoes, currently using Mavic's and even though I like them I'm looking for something new for my next pair. Looking online I like the giro empire's, hard to justify the price tag though. Anyone have any experience with these? How did you find the laces? Otherwise if anyone has seen these in flesh in any bike shops in Dublin can you let me know, would like to try them on and if possible buy them in person rather than online.

Other than that if anyone has any recommendations I'm open to be persuaded to try something else. Cheers folks.

A few lads here have the Empires. They say they're the comfiest shoes they've used, by a long way. They look the business, too. I'm wearing the Mavics pictured below as I like the ventilation;

joey100

Have had a pair of Mavic's for about the last 3 years and have a pair of mavic tri shoes. I do like them but what annoys me about them is that they get destroyed and look dirty very easily. Part of what I like about the giro's is the fact you can wipe them clean, silly thing to be concerned about I know! I'm going to try put my ones in the washing machine and see how they come out, but I'll probably still treat myself to a new pair at some stage anyway. Have seen the CRX's for decent prices and I know what size I am but have read reviews that say how they are impossible to keep clean and start to look manky very quickly. Deep down I want the giro's and am turning to people on the internet to validate my decision and say I am right to spend the money on them

dancrowley

joey100 wrote: »

Have had a pair of Mavic's for about the last 3 years and have a pair of mavic tri shoes. I do like them but what annoys me about them is that they get destroyed and look dirty very easily. Part of what I like about the giro's is the fact you can wipe them clean, silly thing to be concerned about I know! I'm going to try put my ones in the washing machine and see how they come out, but I'll probably still treat myself to a new pair at some stage anyway. Have seen the CRX's for decent prices and I know what size I am but have read reviews that say how they are impossible to keep clean and start to look manky very quickly. Deep down I want the giro's and am turning to people on the internet to validate my decision and say I am right to spend the money on them

You are right to spend the money on them :pac:

mossym

picked up a pair of specialized expert end of last summer. given the timing they haven't been used without a pair of overshoes since, but i'm loving them, very very comfy.

but looks like you have your head(/heart?) set on the giros joey, so i'd just go for them

joey100

Definitely my heart set on them, my head says I'd be mad to spend that money on bike shoes. I'd like to try them on just to be sure before I spend that sort of cash and if possible would rather buy from a shop than online, I'll keep my eye out for a pair.

Taxuser1

joey100 wrote: »

Definitely my heart set on them, my head says I'd be mad to spend that money on bike shoes. I'd like to try them on just to be sure before I spend that sort of cash and if possible would rather buy from a shop than online, I'll keep my eye out for a pair.

as my wife says after splurging millions, "But sher I'll get loads of use out of them, think of the cost per wear"

invest in good shoes, you'll still have them 10 years from now.

My first high end shoe was by Carnac in 1995, I think made famous by Greg Lemond, made of Kangaroo leather, carbon kevlar sole, the most comfortable shoe to ride in. I did a clear out before moving house last year and they were reluctantly parted with, only because of a torn strap. The shape and sole were as good as new.

Luxman

joey100 wrote: »

Have had a pair of Mavic's for about the last 3 years and have a pair of mavic tri shoes. I do like them but what annoys me about them is that they get destroyed and look dirty very easily. Part of what I like about the giro's is the fact you can wipe them clean, silly thing to be concerned about I know! I'm going to try put my ones in the washing machine and see how they come out, but I'll probably still treat myself to a new pair at some stage anyway. Have seen the CRX's for decent prices and I know what size I am but have read reviews that say how they are impossible to keep clean and start to look manky very quickly. Deep down I want the giro's and am turning to people on the internet to validate my decision and say I am right to spend the money on them

Can't comment on the giros but I did wash my winter shoes in the dishwasher recently (swmbo was not present). Removed the insoles, quick wash, stuffed newspapers in and left to dry. Came out well. They have Velcro straps on.

Plastik

Considered Empires last year when I was shopping but eventually ruled them out because didn't fancy trying to open laces with numb/cold/wet fingers.

nak

I like the look of the Giro Empires, I have a pair of their higher end MTB shoes, but the quality isn't great (the Empires may be different).

Have had my SIDI Ergos for 5/6 years and still in great condition, but think I might get these next http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/s-works-sub6/37773/s-worksroadshoes

dancrowley

Also bear in mind that the ventilation wouldn't be incredibly good with them. This is the main reason I didn't go for them as my feet run pretty hot.

scott.s

I have a pair of Specialized S-Works shoes and love them. They're so light and comfy. The leather on them feels quite supple. Super stiff carbon soles too.

If I was to get a pair now I'd go for the newer S-Works 6 or Sub 6 shoe. Both look great. One is a lace up option.

But both might also be a bit on the pricey side.

Agent Smyth

+1 on the Specialized S-Works, have had many pairs of specialized shoes over the years and cant fault them

Stevieg2009

Agent Smyth wrote: »

+1 on the Specialized S-Works, have had many pairs of specialized shoes over the years and cant fault them

+2 on the s-works lovely shoe super stiff great fit also use spiuk very comfy shoe also

Lumen

I've been using the Giro Empire SLX daily since the start of November.

They're great.

I use overshoes to keep them clean. The white laces would get dirty otherwise, but I guess I could wash them or get a different colour lace.

lennymc

Lumen wrote: »

I've been using the Giro Empire SLX daily since the start of November.

They're great.

I use overshoes to keep them clean. The white laces would get dirty otherwise, but I guess I could wash them or get a different colour lace.

how do you find them lumen? I really like the look of them, but they are a bit pricey

Jim Stynes

I love these and they're the perfect fit for my foot. Loved SIDIs but they just didn't fit me properly.

Lumen

lennymc wrote: »

how do you find them lumen? I really like the look of them, but they are a bit pricey

They're good.

I was very spoiled a few years ago by picking up a couple of pairs of S-works road shoes for ~100EUR a pair, and then the bargains went and they cost almost 300 quid.

One of my pairs of S-Works I lost due to a seized cleat bolt. The other has a dead Boa lacing system. Both are probably repairable if I could be bothered, but I prefer shopping and arguing on the internet to fixing things so they just sit around making me feel bad about myself.

I went through a period of attempting to find shoes as good as S-Works but cheaper. These attempts failed.

So I'm now in my lace phase. I had laces on my first pair of road shoes back in the 1990s and they worked. They _have_ to be more reliable than Boas.

Are they as good as S-Works? Possibly. They're very stiff and quite comfy, although as it's been cold I've been wearing thick socks which hasn't helped. I've had no hotspots like I did with the S-Works in summer, but maybe I will when the weather improves.

They're definitely more interesting than S-Works. I'm happy.

Raam called them golf shoes. Then turned up to a road spin in SPDs. So screw that loser.

Beasty

I've deleted a number of posts

Do not jump into a thread in the main forum to try and offload anything you are trying to sell. That' what the Cycling Adverts sub-forum is for

Any questions PM me - do not respond in-thread

Thanks