Take any shopping trip to buy some smart/casual shoes for the weekend. You’ll spend an afternoon mincing around several different stores trying to analyse how a dozen diverse pairs feel and convincing yourself that the leather will stretch with time, just because you like the blue ones the best. Actually it doesn’t even matter how they feel because all they need to do is carry you from the carpark into the Ship & Anchor and negotiate the return journey a few hours later after a Steak and Ale pie and one too many Peroni’s. With cycle shoes it isn’t so easy to try them on and see how they feel, but is actually far more important. You’re going to spend hours in your cycle shoes trying to enjoy the view and sweating to keep up with your mates – neither of which will be easy if it feels like you have a mouse trap clamped onto each foot. Ideally you need to go out on a ride for an hour to try each pair out, but the shop keeper probably won’t want them back when you return.
I offer as an example my recent experiences with the Bont Vaypor. My friend Darren absolutely raved about them, taking them off at the every cake stop and showing anyone who’d take an interest the imprint of his little toe in the heat formed carbon. Impressed I read several glowing reviews online before committing to an internet purchase from Evans Cycles. A few days later I excitedly put them on and found it was like hammering nails into the sole of each foot. After driving 90 minutes to my nearest store I tried another size but things were even worse. So bear in mind when reading this review and looking at the pretty picture, that you really should try these shoes on before buying. Especially since they retail for a whooping £250!
Efficient transfer of power is the raison d’etre of a race shoe. The S-Works fits the mould well: a rigid sole to minimise flex and a heel cup which grips the foot to ensure all the riders energy is transferred to the pedals. Try riding in a pair of old trainers and you can feel the sole flexing and your heel lifting up out of the shoe, which is all wasted effort. Fantastic rigidity is no consequence of course if you are in discomfort and shooting pain every time you dare to push on the pedals.
I find discomfort in my feet is one of the most debilitating distractions on a bike. For the past few years I have been using the previous generation Specialised S-Works shoes, because they were provided by a sponsor. I never felt they were ideal, a little tight for width meaning I was forced to stick with thin summer socks all year round. Also the boa dials wore out, meaning the shoes sometimes came loose just when you were trying to put the hammer down. However, having tried A LOT of other shoes I discovered that only Specialized shoes fit my strangely wide but pointy feet. So here I am back with Specialized stepping up ½ a size in the hope that gives me the extra width I require. (For reference this time I have had to shell out from my own pocket.)
First up these are nice looking shoes, I love the two tone colour scheme and general stunning appearance. They make a style statement without being too flashy. Specialized have placed the boa dials over towards the outside of the foot, which I assume is to take pressure off the top of the foot, not that this is a problem I have experienced. While of the subject of the dials, the entire boa module is now replaceable and not just the upper. This negates the problem I had before where the ratchet mechanism in the shoe began to wear and the dial slip.
Soon as you’ve finished looking at them you’ll pick them up and realise how light these shoes are, mine coming in at 735g for the pair including the eggbeater cleats and a bit of local dirt! (Size 43.5)
Slip them on your feet, strap them up and hop on the bike and you’ll be reminded immediately of the racey intent of these slippers. They are extremely stiff and hold the foot very securely and you will notice how well attached you feel to the bike. My old shoes were a few years old so might have started to relax a little, but the new shoes definitely feel more purposeful.
First ride was a 3 hour road ride and the best comment I can make is that I forgot I was even wearing new shoes! Hidden under some overshoes they just got on with the job, no complaints from them or my tootsies. The second outing was at a cross country race and the news wasn’t so good. Within 15 minutes the outsides of my feet were aching and I had to loosen the straps and lost time as I periodically had to rest my feet. After the race I decided that I had probably got a bit over zealous when tightening the dials on the start line, forgetting my new shoes might not be so forgiving. The third ride was a 4 hour off-road ride and I took care this time not to over tighten when I started out and like the first outing I forgot all about them.
Summary:
Effective, lightweight and stylish race shoe. Definitely consider if they fit your feet! The price tag is high but comparable to the competition.
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