Are the Shimano RC903 the best road cycling shoes?

[@michaeljames2250]

Great Review! I also just read the full review with tables. Perfect timing I am in need of new shoes. Again great review!

[@intheknowcycling]

Glad I could help you with your shoe search

[@aiyanacurrie6738]

Very thorough & clear. As always. Thanks Steve.

[@intheknowcycling]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jamesnelson9465]

I have a pair of RC901's which are great, although getting a little worn now. I do like the space in the 901's which help with my bunions, and was going to buy the 902's but think I will go for 903's due to the more accomodating fit

[@intheknowcycling]

Thanks for your comment. I agree with your thought process. If it works for you, I'd appreciate it if you would consider linking to one of the stores I recommend in the description box when you make your purchase. That would support the ability to make more videos like this one and give you the confidence to buy from a store I've vetted for their prices, service and selection. Cheers, Steve

[@Gufolicious]

I have both and they are the same fit. I mean 100% same fit

[@antoniskourris5257]

Hi, same size same fit? I have 902 size 44...@@Gufolicious

[@jonathanchung7209]

I found the rc903 toe box to be larger than the rc902. Heel cup felt a bit tighter on the rc902 as well.

[@juancamilorossoricaurte863]

thanks for your time, i see the q36.5 shoes, but i choice the 903

[@Chris._P._Bacon]

I'd like to buy them.......but $400+, bit too much for my taste. I ended up going with a pair of Fizik.....The one with two BOA system, I think and felt those were better than one ones with a single BOA dial.

[@chadnewsome8525]

Great review-thx! Q: listening to this via earbuds, did you record the sound single channel? I ask because the sound was right channel only.

[@intheknowcycling]

Yes. I messed the sound up on that one. 😄

[@xferreti]

Great review! Just one thing, I owned a RC902 and now a RC903 (I just used them for a few rides), and I fully agree that for long rides they seem more comfy than the previous one. it might be me but I find these RC903 bigger than the RC902 (same size 45 for both models) and heel does not fit as tight as it was on the RC902 version. I might have gone for a 44.5...What's your impression about sizing?THX

[@intheknowcycling]

I wore the RC902 and RC903 in the same size EU 43. It might seem the RC903 is bigger because there's more room in the toe box but the length should be the same from one model to the next. I found the heel cup to be more tailored in the RC903. Not sure why it felt larger for you.

[@scottmajor9214]

Good video. What pedals do you like to pair them with?

[@intheknowcycling]

Thanks Scott. I use Shimano Ultegra with these.

[@waynehadley1999]

Great video, thank you. Love your wall art, would you be willing to share the source? Thank you.

[@intheknowcycling]

It's by an artist named Dmytro Hrynchak from his Shutterstock collection. You can see it here www.shutterstock.com/g/hrynchak

[@waynehadley1999]

@@intheknowcycling Thank you.

[@juancamilorossoricaurte863]

Excellent video, one question, I use the RC7 on the road, the version that does not have the shiny tip. But I have a question about buying the sphyre 903, these are the same width as the RC7 or are they narrower at the end of the foot (at the tip of the shoe more or less in the area of the metatarsals, where the foot is wider) It's because it's a more professional shoe, not if they are a little narrower (tighter than my RC7) and I should buy wide or if I buy normal ones like the RC7 that I have. I have never needed wide shoes

[@intheknowcycling]

I haven't tested the RC7 so can't compare them. But, the RC903 aren't narrow shoes. If you look at the last characteristics chart in full review here: intheknowcycling.com/road-cycling-shoes/#Recommendations, you'll see that their width across the forefoot is similar to most shoes with a bit more in the toe box area.

[@gerardodelarosa4443]

Hi friend, i am 43 in specialized... what size would i be in shimano Sphyre 903?

[@intheknowcycling]

I find they size the same. I'm a 43 in both. I'd expect you'd be as well. The length will be the same but the "last" or fit will be a bit different.

[@devdroid9606]

Does the wide version come with a wide sole plate or is it the same sole plate with a more voluminous upper?

[@intheknowcycling]

Wider outsole

[@antoniskourris5257]

Hi, I have Shimano S-phyre 902 size 44 and I want S-WORKS TORCH, what choose size? Thank you Mr.

[@intheknowcycling]

Same size. Length is the same and that’s what the size is based on. Everything else - widths, heel cup, arch, etc - is the “last” and that’s where they differ for the same size. See the comparison review on my site, linked in description box, for last differences.

[@antoniskourris5257]

@@intheknowcycling S-Phyre (44 27,8cm) S-Works torch (43,5 27,9cm)

[@intheknowcycling]

If you’re not sure which will fit, order a couple sizes and return the one that doesn’t fit.

[@intheknowcycling]

You can order these shoes using links to stores I’ve vetted and recommend: When you do, In The Know Cycling may earn a commission that helps cover our review and technology costs ►BTD (BikeTiresDirect): tinyurl.com/4v8yesdr ►Performance Bike: snp.link/d9461bb5 ►Sigma Sports: tidd.ly/438meFo

[@cedricdelacruz128]

this vs bontrager xxx road?

[@intheknowcycling]

I compare them here: intheknowcycling.com/road-cycling-shoes/

[@cedricdelacruz128]

@@intheknowcycling would you think bontrager xxx will be good for flat feet?

[@intheknowcycling]

@@cedricdelacruz128 most shoes including Bontrager come with very flat arches. You put in an insole to give the amount of support you need.

[@RepublicanJesusthe2nd]

Ahhhh we wear the same size.

[@panospeter_pan4257]

Hi.i have the rc902t . I could use more space in the toe box.the size is good,i have maybe 0.5 cm on the front,but the width is a bit narrow on the ball of the foot. I could use maybe 2 or 3mm more space. Should i go for the 903 ,size 42 wide?size down to 41.5 wide? Thanks.

[@intheknowcycling]

I'd suggest you go with the 903 wide in the size that fit you in the 902 regular (see the link in the description box for the stores that carry it.) There's more toe box room in the 903 than the 902 but the width at the ball of the foot is the same so the wide will be better if you need more room there.

[@panospeter_pan4257]

​@intheknowcycling thanks for the reply.i ordered the wide 903 But in the 41.5 .the 903 wide is 2mm longer than the 902 regular. Shimano says the 42 is 26.5 but the actual length is 27.5 on the regular 903 and 27.6 on the wide version. My feet are 26.6 and I definitely have more than half a centimeter of space on the frontal Area. So I went with the wide 41.5 . Cheers

[@wesw6787]

@@panospeter_pan4257 Half size do not come in the wide version so where did you get 41.5 in wide from actually? Also, is your foot length effectively 26.5 without space added? My foot is 252mm and I'm literally touching the front in 41 wide. So quite impossible with a real foot length of 26.6 to fit the 41.5 size...

[@panospeter_pan4257]

​@wesw6787 hi. I had to return the 41.5 and settle with the 42...in wide.i got them from bikeinn, Spain. I also bought the trek rsl they're roomier and a bit lengthier,but way more comfortable. Only downside the heel cup.not replaceable.

[@becausewin]

"... in the know cycling red..." whats the big deal with red, are red shoes some kind of a meme?

[@intheknowcycling]

😀Red shoes have been cool since before memes were a thing!

[@grahamelliott6041]

Were you in Lord of the Rings ?

[@intheknowcycling]

Yeah, I played Gollum. Recongize me?