Hello, I was wondering if anyone could provide their experiences with either the Specialized BG S-Works or Shimano R220/240 or above road shoes. I know everyone’s foot is different but if you can provide feedback re:comfort, tru-2-size, toe-box, stiffness, etc. Thanks much. Oh and their favorite place to purchase them.
-C
I recently switched from the one Big-S to the other Big-S. For years I had been riding in the Shimano R215 - at the time Shimano’s top of the line road shoe. I recently switched over to the Specialized S-Works shoe and love them. The fit is a bit different - the S-Works actually fits my foot better, plus you get the micro-on-the-fly adjustment with the Boa mech. This shoe is marketed and sold as a road shoe, but it’s also a great Tri shoe as well. I did a more detailed write up on my blog. Link for that is here:
I just bought a pair. I also bought a pair of Sidi Genius 5.5s. After trying them both on multiple times with different sock and insole combinations I’m keeping the 5.5s. I actually really like the “boa” on the S-Works so its too bad they didn’t work out but the 5.5s are just more comfortable. I have soft, sensitive feet.
Thanks for the reply. I too own the 5.5’s in a Mega though I feel the sole is quite flexy and the toe box is a bit too roomy (maybe I could have gone with a reg width).
Steve,
Did you find that the S-Works sizing was a bit different from say Shimano and Sidi in their EU to US conversion? For example a 42 Sidi is considered an 8.25 US, and similar for Shimano. However, a EU 42 S-Works is considered a 9 US according to their site. Your thoughts?
LOVE the Specialized higher end shoes. Lots of love on the forum for them (you can search for reveiws). I’ve used them for years since the gold std. shoes (Sidi) just don’t fit me well.
I have the narrower A-width S-Works shoes and these feel very Sidi-like( note these are hard to find at retail). The standard width S-works shoes are a bit more generous - although not overly so. However, the Boa mech offers great range in terms of how the upper fits.
I note that the S-Works shoes seem to be the go-to footwear for many riders on the Pro Peleton.
I have 4 pairs of Specialized shoes and really like them. They fit “North American” feet better which are somewhat wider than european. A great simplification I know but if you have wider feet or high arches, the Specialized are a good choice. I’ve never had good luck with Italian shoes like Sidi even though I really like the styling.
Had a pair of Specialized pro roads for a few years now and they’re great. Fit true to size for me, very stiff with the carbon sole and have no issues with comfort on long rides. I don’t have a benchmark against Shimano though, I’ve only ever ridden Spec shoes for road and mountain.
Thanks for the info. The true to size is helpful.
Good to know considering I find Sidi Mega too wide and their regs too narrow. Now, is there anyplace one can order them online other than their own site, or are do they prohibit e-tailers from doing so?
I wore Shimano R-215 for about three years. They are excellent shoes. No complaints really. I’ve since switched the S-Works shoe (last year’s single-dial model), which I like better.
Key things to note:
S-Works is MUCH lighter than Shimano
Shimano is quite a bit roomier in the toebox than S-Works
S-Works is pre-canted at a 1.5deg varus tilt
Shimano (not all models, but the high end ones) can be heat-molded (at an authorized dealer)
Both will accept any three-hole cleat
Both are stiff enough and good enough to win a grand tour
Specialized runs true to US sizing. I.e., a US 11 fits like a US 11. BUT they run about 1 size small relative to a European size. This is consistent with THEIR chart though. I.e., according to Specialized, a US 11 = EU 44, which is atypically small. Most companies, like Shimano, equate a US 11 = EU 45.
So, if you are buying off your EU size - rather than matching up your size with the size chart on Specialized.com, you need to size down one size for ALL specialized shoes.
Ordering options are direct from Specialized’s website or your local brick and mortar store.
Thanks Rapp, for addressing the EU vs US conversion differences. I think i will give it a try and go for a pair of S-works.
Will you be trying the new S-Works road shoe this year for triathlon?
From what I’ve found trying out the current S-works shoe is that I would like the extra compression of a lower strap/BOA system and the current shoe’s BOA system takes a lot of turning of the dial for a tri. Maybe with two BOA systems, the lower one could be left a little loose but not completely loose and the upper one could be left completely loose and it would require less turns to tighten the shoe. The multi directional BOA system also looks to a nice addition.
I have a bit of a v-shaped foot (wider forefoot with narrow heel).
I’m unable to wear standard Sidi because they don’t have enough volume for me feet (the heel in the Mega version is too wide for me as well).
I haven’t found a Shimano shoe that fits (too narrow for me).
I’ve historically worn Carnac (in their original last) with lots of success, but I didn’t like their weight.
In 2006, I began wearing the Specialized BG MTB shoes (ratchet with 2 velcro straps). These shoes were immediately comfortable (literally, my first ride in them was the last 16 hours of my 24 hour MTB race). I haven’t worn another MTB shoe since then.
In 2007, I ordered the Specialized BG road shoes (ratchet with 2 velcro straps). i love them. Light, stiff, and well-made. Also, they have a bunch of color options which is nice.
The price is also really competitive.
Basically, the Specialized seem to have decent forefoot volume with a somewhat narrow heel. The retention system is durable and hasn’t given me problems (the ratchet system).
I can’t comment on the BOA version. Although, I intend to try them when I replace my current shoes.
Cheers,
Puskas
I had a pair of the SWorks top of the line road shoes and loved them. I wore a size 46 i think. I have a long and not wide foot and they fit great. I liked the BOA closure system and had absolutely no problems with the shoe. I had some Sidi’s and i was between sizes and i ended up with the larger size, 47, and they were too wide so off they went to Ebay. I would still ride the SWorks but they wore out and sponsors changed so i changed. I currently ride the Shimano semi custon heat molded top of the line shoes in 46.5. They fit great and i dont see me changing despite the change in sponsors because the great fit. I’d recommend the specialized shoes to anyone or maybe some custom Rocket’s for you.
The SWorks version with the Boa has a lower volume than the shoe with the ratchet and straps (can’t remember the name). So, if you fit one, you probably won’t fit the other. I love the SWorks shoe (with Boa), and didn’t care for the one with ratchet and straps (which I also had for a short while). There is a definite difference in the toe box.
To the OP shoe… SWorks are awesome. The best shoe I’ve used in 20 years of riding. I came out of Sidis, which I had worn for over a decade. The SWorks are better than the Sidis in every respect (but for the Italiophile in me). My dawgs love them.
so the s works with the boa has a smaller toe box than the pro version? shimanos have crappy toe boxes (i have the new 240’s and hate them)…
Correct. It’s not a huge difference but definitely noticable. I just have to be careful not to crank down on the toe box on the S works.