FIRST RIDE IMPRESSIONS - Shimano R903 S-Phyre Limited Edition Champagne 127mi/9K ft

[@roberts1159]

Nice review as usual. I have a pair of S-Phyre gen 1 shoes that I think were purchased in 2017. Still holding up well after riding about 6K miles per year. Probably the most comfortable shoes that I have ever owned with 40+ years of cycling. Had to change out the insoles but other than that no issues.

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Sweet Robert thanks for chiming in!

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

SQLabs are masters of ergonomics! I had no idea they made insoles... I need to look into that.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

The Phyre is fire baby.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Funny, George. I also find Shimano road shoes to be big... I usually need a size smaller than normal. However, their MTB shoes tend to be the opposite and run small in my experience. Go figure!

[@n22pdf]

Nice review George as always.. yeah I’m a b side to 👍😊🏅🚴

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

You and me both!

[@luisacc5960]

Great review George.. I noticed your cleat position ..all the way back. Any words in that

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Hello Luis - yes all the way back. In just about any shoe getting the cleat back helps align your foot to the pedal spindle. Where do you ride your cleats and why?

[@wallyklejka5754]

Cool video! So, regarding the size on the Shimano website they have size chart. Is it accurate?? It says I have 10.5" long feet and I need 45 size. Thanks!! :)

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Hmm I don’t know I’ve never used their size chart.

[@Jewellm83]

Did you ever get around to trying the shoes with the supplied insoles? I have a pair of 903’s on order with my LBS and I am wondering if the stock insoles are good.

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Yea indeed! I had been using my preferred insoles from SQ Labs, makers of my saddle of choice. Because I believe I would truly be a 44.5, which they don’t make in the limited edition, the stock insole fit me better by not taking up too much of the volume. If I get the white pair I will order 44.5 and try again to use the SQ Lab insoles.

[@Freacer1]

With shoe fit it´s sometimes really a bit tricky... I sometimes find that I maybe get some pain right at the start of a ride which goes away after a couple of minutes, other times it may start randomly after 2-3h and goes away after some time again. You really need to do a good amount of testing to see if a show works or doesn´t when the general fit seems to be OK. Just out of curiosity - I can´t buy from your store on the other side of the planet anyway ;-) - how do you handle customers buying a shoe and later coming back wanting to return it / exchange it for a different pair due to fit issues? Are you fine with the shoe being lightly used or would just generally not accept a return on a shoe that has been test-ridden (on a trainer - not outside)? Sometimes I really find it hard to get an opinion on a pair unless you get a short feel for it on the bike / trainer, but of course it wont be 100% new after that, even if it only has minor marks on the sole from clipping in. At that point I personally find it hard to justify sending the thing back to a store for a refund.

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

As a ONE man shop I don't take shoes back after they have left the store. I disagree that someone needs to do a bike ride to ensure they have the proper sized shoe. People should buy anything and everything with the expectation that they will not attempt to return it especially for full refund something that they have worn. Being the devil's advocate... What would/does a shop do with a worn pair of shoes? Lastly, I sell Shimano and Pearl Izumi to a lot of first-time sho buyers because they offer a 60-day fit guarantee :-)

[@Freacer1]

@@SeeYouUpTheRoad In Germany it´s actually quite common to have returned products at online stores - even in small shops. Sometimes leads to bizarre situations with pricing for basically like-new stuff. (not only bike-related) You have a right to return products that were bought online here, I believe the only thing a shop can do is charge a fine if the item has visible signs of usage. Apparently it´s done so commonly that something like the previous RC902 actually has bad reviews at a very common bike-store here, because people received slightly scratched stuff as new. Not that I´m for this kind of behavior, but I´d actually appreciate some kind of... rental? or try before you buy service for saddles and shoes in general. For daily / gravel riding l have a pair of RX-8´s here which cause me problems in maybe 25% of the rides at some point. The shoe fits - but I have problems with the overlapping tongue that Shimano used there. Only noticed that on the bike after some hours - would´ve wished to get that experience before I bought the thing. 😅 Sadly from my experience here, it´s hard to really find good bike-shops (not online) where you´d like to buy stuff and can fully trust the recommendations from them.

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

@@Freacer1 I have demo saddles in several brands/models. People can ride them before they buy. That should be common in EVERY bike shop. Once they find one they like I sell them a new one.

[@gerardodelarosa4443]

Hi friend, I m strange feet. I am in between 42.5 and 43 on Specialized. That is why I choose 43 because after few hrs my feet get swollen and need that little extra space. However, this is the first video about Sphyre 903 I see that suggests to size down. All others I´ve seen actually suggest are either thrue size or size up. But never size down. Can you elaborate on this? Thank you

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

It was too big of a shoe for a 45. Nothing to elaborate.

[@wesw6787]

How would you compare these shimano shoes with the Lake CX403 or CX332?

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

I’ve never ridden in CX332’s. I own 2 pair of CX403. These are dramatically different shoes. The Shimano is more like a traditional shoe we have grown accustomed to - it is a sole with an upper glued on top. The CX403 is a shoe that is a full carbon tub it isn’t just the sole the carbon comes up and around a quarter of the way up. It’s also moldable at home. 2 different shoes entirely

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Like most things Shimano, you cannot break or wear out their shoes. Go ahead. Try.

[@MsDavo123]

i tried and succeeded can even share the phottos of how badly they got broken 0:01

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

@@MsDavo123 Do people typically ask you for photo evidence? Why don't they just believe you? Anyway, I think Shimano shoes are durable... not literally indestructible.

[@johnkasza2315]

If you look at the stock insole, there are airholes that line up with front sole holes and that rear scoop at the heel-might be nice this summer...what cleat is that? works on shimano?

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

The cleat is a Look Keo Black 0 degree float. I ride Favero Assioma Power Meter pedals.

[@johnkasza2315]

@@SeeYouUpTheRoad thanks..also Shimano s=Phyre socks are specially made for these shoes--they have padding on top of the sock right where there is pressure from the strap..i use them and like them...also im with you with fixed cleats.. remember when we nailed cleats on? float? no

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

@@johnkasza2315 wow that would have been a LOOONG time ago 😂

[@johnkasza2315]

@@SeeYouUpTheRoad im old..bought a masi ..full campy new in 1976..$450..yes a looong time ago

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

@@johnkasza2315 yes that’s a long time ago. Derailleurs cost more than that now 😂