Bontrager RXL Hilo Tri-Cycling shoes

Triathlon Forum
1

Picked up a pair of these on sale at the LBS today. Anybody have any experience with these? They’ll be my first tri-shoes. I’ve heard a lot of good things (and some bad) about Pearl Izumi Tri Fly III. The Bontragers have carbon outsoles while the PIs do not (within my price range). Which am I better off going with?

2

I’ve used them for 2 years and love em’. Only thing I would change would be to make the heal thingy (technical term) a loop for ease of securing the shoes to the bike. I use dental floss for this purpose and it still works, it would just be easier if the Hilo had a loop on the back.

My training buddies occasionally give me sh&t about the chrome color, but it’s supposed to reflect “the heat comin’ off the road.” I’ve stopped trying to defend the color b/c everytime I explain the rational behind it to someone I get VanHalen’s Panama stuck in my head for the next 30 miles.

3

Yeah, I would have liked a loop as well. I think I can deal with the color. I would have preferred a basic black but what are you gonna do? Beats white in my opinion. Looks like I’ll be humming Panama when I ride for the foreseeable future…hilarious.

I’m still pretty new to triathlon - what’s the deal with the dental floss again?

4

I use dental floss to keep my shoes level on the bike while running out of T1. I tie it to the heel strap and then the chain stay on one side and the bottle cage on the other. Lots of people use rubberbands, but dental floss holds just as well and breaks easier.

5

Also been using hilos for 2yrs, love them.

6

Just joined the forum and found your post – does the dental floss just hang off the shoe/bike for the rest of the ride?

It’s a great option. Haven’t had good luck with rubber bands.

Thank you,

Ole Jorgenson

7

generally the dental floss just hangs on the bike until taken off. sometimes it falls off the chainstay, but almost always stays on the bottle cage.

8

Got it. Not much of an aero penalty there. :slight_smile: Thank you again -
Ole

9

does anyone use Bontrager (or any other brand) Road shoes for IM distance? I see a lot of Pro’s doing that.