I'm rather satisfied with these shoes for the money, especially at this price point.
Let's look at the feature set:
- 3-strap closure, ratcheting buckle instep strap.
- Composite sole
- 3-hole and 2-hole bolt patterns.
For under $100, from a name brand, that's a pretty commanding feature set.
I usually try to avoid direct comparisons in evaluating things, but I'm going to go ahead and compare these to the SIDI Genius 5, since SIDI is pretty much the gold standard in cycling shoes, and the Genius 5 is the most comparable shoe in their product line for the features (3-strap, ratchet buckle, Full composite sole).
First of all, let's look at the price:
SIDI Genius 5: Approximately $250
Shimano SH-RO85: Approximately $100
That's a huge discrepancy, so keep in mind when reading my evaluation that these shoes cost 40% of what the indisputable "best" in their product class cost.
You can bet your boots I've tried both of them on, especially since I'm a size 48, and it's a complete bitch to find shoes in my size. Incidentally, SIDI is one of the few companies that actually makes shoes in above size 49. However, I haven't actually had the chance to ride a pair of SIDIs; but I did play with all of the adjustments and compare the way they fit to the Shimanos.
Fit: The SIDIs fit a bit tighter, like a good pair of soccer cleats would, but they are made almost entirely out of leather, and would break in very comfortably, I assume. It is not an uncomfortable tightness, it in fact feels very tailored. The Shimanos have a bit looser of a feel, but they can be tightened adequately to a comfortable level that provides one with the right balance of breathing room and efficiency in pedaling.
Ventilation: The SIDIs, with their tailored leather fit feel, definitely felt a bit less airy on the inside than my Shimanos do. The Shimano shoes have a significant portion of the toe area made out of a breathable mesh, which contributes both to the slightly more relaxed feeling fit, and the breathy feel. Also, this is a feature I didn't notice until I'd owned them for a little while: The Shimano shoes have a small, dime-sized hole in the sole right under your toes; which functions as an air intake and powers ventilation. Sure, water could get in there on a wet day, but not a whole lot unless you just jumped in a puddle.
SIDI makes a Mesh version of the Genius series shoes that supposedly have more ventilation, but I've never seen them in stores. I'd be willing to try them out, though. Where I live in Texas, ventilation for your feet is a pretty big consideration, and the Shimanos deliver in spades.
Closure: The Offset strap design on the Shimanos is claimed by the company to reduce hot spots and pressure points, and for all I know it works, because I've never had a problem with it, really, even when I've got them cinched down a bit more than what is most comfortable. SIDI, however, is well known for having one of the best closure designs on the market. The SIDI spider buckle is very intuitive and easily adjustable, I'd bet even while clipped in, after one plays with it for a few minutes. The ratcheting buckle on the Shimano shoes isn't anything miraculous and deserving of a design award, but it works very well and I find no fault with it. the SIDIs also have an adjustable instep pad location, which allows one to fine-tune the fit of the shoe, and such a concession is absent on the Shimanos, though I still find them very comfortable.
Sole: The sole has Rubber spots on it at the heel and toe, which make walking feel less like walking on ice. In combination with KeO Grip Cleats, I've never had a slipping problem in these shoes. I've never used them, but SPD-SL cleats supposedly have a similar walking pontoon design. SIDIs, of course, have those wonderful replaceable heel pads.
Both shoes have 3-Bolt and 2-Bolt Cleat patterns, which is great for someone transitioning from 2-bolt pedals, or who just prefers them, but I personally would have preferred to have the screw mount for a LOOK Cleat's Memory Tab. (Higher end SIDI shoes have this. Shimano shoes never will, I suspect, because they are used to promote the SPD-SL platform and Shimano Pedals).
Bottom Line: I do not think I could have gotten a better shoe for the money. If I were to replace these, I would probably get the higher-end carbon-soled ones; but if I were to really have ridden these until they came apart, I might have reached a point where I actually wouldn't feel crazy to spend $300+ on a pair of higher-end SIDIs.
Pros:
- I do not think I could have found a shoe I'd have liked more for under $100.
- Blue and White are my favorite colors.
- Surprisingly well-ventilated, on par with some much more expensive shoes.
- Can be used with almost every cleat/pedal on the market.
Cons:
- No memory tab support, but that will probably never happen on a Shimano product.
- Ratcheting buckle is not easy enough to adjust that I would feel comfortable messing with it while clipped in. |
