I need a new set of shoes for this season, and have narrowed it down to the Shimanos or Sidi 6.6s or Ergo 2s.
The problem with the Shimanos is that you have to commit to buying them before you really see what the final product will be like on your foot.
Before I jump into something I might regret, does anyone have any experience to share?
I think Gary Tingley got a pair a while back - the first pair in CA, if I remember correctly.
Tom Demerly reviewed them on his website, too.
I work in a bike shop in Norway, where we sell a lot of these shoes. First, generally speaking, Shimano shoes are going to fit a bit wider than the Sidi shoes. As for the molding: The process really only shapes the outside part of the shoe from the little toe around to the heal. Many people seem to have some wierd things going on around their little toe with bones poking out so it seems to work good for them. Otherwise it might be a bit of a gimmick. With that said, I haven’t come across anyone yet who has been unhappy with them. Good luck.
do you have a link to the review? I can’t seem to find it.
I had a pair last season and they didn’t work for me. I never had them molded since I wanted to ride them for a while and see how they felt. In general - fit wider out of the box than a Sidi. I had to size down one full size. I am guessing that when they are heated and molded you can get a more precise fit. What I really disliked was the super-stiff carbon sole. Zero flex and immediately caused problems with my foot. I used the R215’s for two seasons and never had this problem. I would try them but not commit to molding them until you are sure they work. I would also consider a Sidi or Northwave for the price. Sidi, in my mind, offers the best quality and craftsmanship for your $$. Hope this helps.
R300’s should be molded or they will fit terribly.
I have had a pair of these for almost a year now. I have a wide foot and I like to use orthodics in my shoes, so having the Shimano’s wide toe box made sense. I didn’t need the “E” size as the normal width was still plenty of room. I used them for a little while without the heat-molding and they were very uncomfortable on my bunions/toes. After a couple weeks, I brought them to get heat-molded and did the process (the LBS didn’t have the easy-bake oven when I had originally purchased the shoes). After being molded, they have been the most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever owned.
As for the stiffness issue, I usually have problems with shoes not being stiff enough where I would get calf problems from the sole flexing during intervals. I never had a problem with the Shimano’s being over stiff and have found them to be what I was looking for.
Here’s what I’ve gathered thus far:
-Make sure you mold them. They’re not meant to be ridden without being molded.
-Ride before the fitting (maybe ride to the shop) to make sure your feet are as big as they’re going to get. Keeping the swelling issue in mind, it might be a good idea to have the shoes fitted at the end of the day.
-Not everyone thinks they’re better than a top of the line Sidi.
Anything else?
Looks like it was here, not on his website:
Tom D
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1246110
Gary T
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1168918
.
Thanks, Khai. I was looking for that review on Tom’s website last night; now I know why I couldn’t find it.
Not a problem.
Just as a note, at ~$350 you aren’t terribly far off from the price of a stock R7…
I used the R215’s for two seasons and never had this problem.
The R215’s and the new R300’s are a totally different shoe. I ride in the 215’s and they work well for me. I have tried on the R300 and without the heat-molding I cen tell the fit is very different. As others have stated, it’s essential to get the r300’s heat molded for them to fit and function properly. I am surprsied that this was not explained to you when you purchased the shoes. Was it from a recognised Shimano dealer?
My issue wasn’t with the ft as they fit pretty good out of the box without ever getting molded and I know quite a few people that use them without getting them molded. My issue was with the sole and its stiffness and I also know quite a few people that have had the same problem. The soles on the R215 and R300 are different as are the lasts. I also tried a pair of the TR50’s and had the EXACT same issues. Why - they share the same sole. It’s too stiff for me.