Consider this idea stolen - going to have to make a trip in the coming weekend to local shoe shop. Brilliant!

What ive done in past with my Bont Vaypors that dont have rear strap is tape a rubber band with a small piece of electrical tape to the heel. Holds perfect and no drilling/altering the shoe required.

I used my SLX all last year. I cut out the tongue and used elastic laces.

There were many times, as I jumped onto my bike, that I experienced some trouble with putting my feet into the shoes. I'm going to experiment with a homemade zipper and see how that works out.

Maybe there is some feedback out there from others who have installed a zipper - I know of a few people that have done it. To me the problem is that your feet will change (swelling, socks no socks) and a zipper is pretty unforgiving. I always suggest people find a lacing pattern and tension that works for them. It is the reason I experimented with two different tensions (high tension lower laces, less tension upper laces) to try and find the optimal setup. My setup works for me and 5-10 dismount / mounts the day before the race is a great way to practice for perfection on race day.

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These look great and inspired me to do something very similar. I've just finished lacing them although I haven't yet determined the right tension for the elastic laces so still have them tied instead of knotted.

Here's where things are now including pictures: https://lp18bos19.blogspot.com/...d-post-1-part-2.html

Thanks to everyone on this thread for their posts which helped out tremendously.

For the speedplay aero covers - get the base...so much cleaner.

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/speedplay-zero-aero-surround-kit-for-3-hole-shoes?skid=SPP001G-ONECOL-ONESIZ&CMP_SKU=SPP001G&MER=0406&CSPID=0914&mr:trackingCode=7BB5FC90-6A1F-E711-80F3-0050569428E8&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&mr:ad=264774614365&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:tid=pla-350720729202&mr:ploc=9033357&mr:iloc=&mr:store=&mr:filter=350720729202&CMP_ID=PLA_GOc014&CSPID=0914&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&k_clickid=449eb056-6707-4c9e-81f0-ad233f595187&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn-bWBRDGARIsAPS1svvpVVxSOFcTN-jZIzLj4ldDmEjFPqvgukNnkgKYo-5jxPFCdg_eprYaAqWhEALw_wcB


Brent

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DFRU - Detta Family Racing Unit...the kids like it and we all get out and after it...gotta keep the fam involved!

What is peoples experience with GIro sizing? I'm especially interested in already Giro users, is the sizing the same across different Giro models?

I got a pair of Empire ACC's last year and had the same question. Sizing kind of differs from brand to brand so here's the best I can do.

I'm a 43.5 in an old pair of s-works shoes (with the ratchet system) and a 43.5 in a pair of trivents.

I got a 43.5 in empires and while they fit well they're a tad bit tighter than the specialized shoes. If I wear a thick sock they're too tight, they're fine with lighter socks. I like the fit, they're snug without being uncomfortable. I just ordered a pair of sentrie techlace's in size 44 to avoid the sock issue.

So...they're true to size,maybe a bit snug.

Agree on the slight tightness for the width in the toe box. I was a perfect fit for a Shimano size 46, but the SLX was slightly uncomfortable tight and I had to bump up to a 46.5. I am a little worried about heel slippage but nothing so far.

I decided not to cut the tongue out.

Mine are set up with flat elastic laces that slip right on t1, Shimano road cleats are fairly easy to run in too.

Also means you can give it 100% effort without faffing around getting you your feet out/in.

Anyone try magnetic shoe closures?

https://zubits.com

I am thinking of buying a pair and trying them out.

Those look nice but seem like they’d be really hard to get on with one hand and quickly.

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Interesting. If you do pick some up let me know how they work out.

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That was my thought, too. Unless they just "flop" into place, and stick together it seems like it would be more fiddling.

I bought a pair and tried them out for a 65+ mile ride. I used the original laces that came with the shoes. I couldn't make the laces very snug as the magnets "flop" into place and can really pinch the top of the foot (and it is not a pleasant feeling). So I made them a just a bit loose, but not too loose where your foot is not slipping all over the shoe. I also added moleskin to the inside of the magnet (not pictured) to limit irritation of my foot. I had zero issues for the entire ride. Going to do some testing with transition work (entering in/out while on the bike), but most likely will be using this system for the next race. Each magnet adds 15 grams to each shoe, so it adds a little extra weight. In the past, I have used elastic laces, put the shoes on in T1 and ran to the bike. I am hoping this set up will save me a few more seconds... If I was starting with a fresh pair of shoes, I may keep the tongue in entirely as that may help with slipping into the shoe and reducing any potential irritation. I still have the tongues, but not sure I want to spend the time to sew them back on.

Here is a link to photos of the magnet before/after closure
https://photos.app.goo.gl/B9XHVFmi3akRyxJd8

Very clean!
Are these working for you?
Would you do anything differently in hindsight?

Scott

What material did you use for loops in the back?

This thread about laces that are on shoes has 3x more views then the ENTIRE 2018 Thread about the Giro d'Italia which included Froome's 80K breakaway. This is the ultimate intantiation about this forum caring more about gear than the sports that the gear is used for LOL!

Not sure how to take that Paul. I did not follow the Giro much this year but I do follow this thread! Lol

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2024: Bevoman, Galveston, Alcatraz, Marble Falls, Santa Cruz

Just an idea I have and wanted your feedback especially Thomas. I got a set of the Empire Knit yesterday as they look like they would be the most comfortable of any bike shoe I've ever seen and was thinking of having the tongue stitched along down the outside the lace holes on the inside side of the shoe and maybe even up an inch from the toe of the outside. At worst the tongue will only roll in a fraction on the outside and you can just push a finger under the tongue and roll it out. Alas I can always unpick the stitching and cut out the tongue. I like the idea of just slipping them on in T1 like running shoes myself but will trial on the fly. The first time I ever tried it I dropped my shoe on the road and have been scarred ever since...

http://www.giro.com/eu_en/empire-e70-knit-76.html/

See the irony. A set of shoes named after a Grand Tour and a thead about laces on those shoes gets more interest than the actual Grand tour that the product and associated laces are named after!!!!

No wonder the "bike guys" shake their heads at us "tri guys"!!!!

The shoes come with a little elastic sewn in place halfway down the tongue that you would normally use to hold the ends of the laces in place so they don't get caught in the chainring. With no laces that becomes redundant so I unstitched it and attached it at the back as a heel loop.

Has anyone had any experience with these? No engineering required and they look pretty damn aero to me.

https://www.suplest.ch/.../road-pro-aero-01045

The problem is that they are lace-up underneath the zipped aero cover, so not very practical for fast transitions.

Link to photo

Looks like a custom giro slx?