How to Choose the Best Road Bike Shoes

[@intheknowcycling]

Thank you for watching. If you enjoyed this video, please click the "like" button and subscribe to our channel here on KZbin. When you do, you’ll help get the word out to your fellow cyclists and motivate me to keep bringing you these independent reviews. -- Steve 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. SPECIALIZED S-WORKS TORCH ►Performance Bike - snp.link/f494e356 ►Sigma Sports - tidd.ly/3IefEmX SHIMANO S-PHYRE RC903 ►BTD (BikeTiresDirect) - tinyurl.com/98tjtaw5 ►Performance Bike - snp.link/d9461bb5 ►Sigma Sports - tidd.ly/49owDim SIDI WIRE 2 CARBON ►Amazon - amzn.to/3OyQJ15 ►Sigma Sports - tinyurl.com/53vfrtv5

[@kovie9162]

I recently purchased Shimano RC702's, one step down from the RC903's. I've done around 4 or 5 rides on them so far, all indoors on a direct drive trainer in Zwift. I bought them in my usual size, 42, but in the wide version as the regular width one was too cramped in front and the 42.5 was too loose. They were actually just a tad too tight, not painful but ever so slightly uncomfortable, and I wondered if I'd made the right choice. My main previous shoes were also Shimano and I really liked them so after initially going with a pair of Giro Regimes that were too tight and didn't come in a wide, I figured that I wasn't likely to find anything better and Shimano made great road shoes. Anyway, now I'm actually wondering if they're too big on me. I'm having to tighten them several times during a ride, which I used to have to do with the Shimanos but they had velcro straps and that's typical with velcro. Perhaps I just need newer and somewhat thicker socks. I haven't bought new cycling socks in ages so perhaps the real issue is with the socks and not shoes. Perhaps sweat makes them thin out? My point is that you can't really tell if a given pair of shoes are the best ones for you until you've ridden them a bit, and at that point they can no longer be returned. But unless you're a top level cyclist or regularly go out for really long rides, it's probably not essential that they be perfect for you, just good enough. And these are certainly more than that for me. I'm basically nitpicking as they're still pretty tight and comfortable, just ever so slightly looser than I'd expected. And I'd actually rather err in that direction than too tight, which would make for miserable rides beyond a certain distance.

[@Pablo_Coach]

Excellent comparison! Thank You so much, great work. What do You think about new S-works Torch Lace? Remco Evenepoel currently using them, after using Ares. Spesh is working on a new model like Ares. Remco test them couple day ago.

[@intheknowcycling]

Haven't seen those shoes yet but if they have the same last or foot form as the current S-Works Torch models, it's just a question of what closure system you prefer. Laces are very retro/hip/fashionable, but you can't easily adjust them underway without stopping the way you can with Boa dials. The Ares is also very cool, literally and figuratively, because of the knit upper, which gives you a custom fit. Great if you live in hot climates. Otherwise a little expensive for shoes you might not use as often as regular synthetic upper.

[@Pablo_Coach]

@@intheknowcycling I understand. I heard several opinion that Torch have loose heel cup. I have s-works 7 and have superb heel hold and I worry that in Torch I lost that perfect heel hold.

[@intheknowcycling]

@@Pablo_Coach The heel cup on the S-Works Torch is a bit wider than in the S-Works 7. I mentioned this in the video and in the site's review. It made a difference for me, and my fellow tester Nate liked it.

[@Pablo_Coach]

@@intheknowcycling thanks. About laced shoes they perform better than boa’s in aero departament too

[@_.spectre._]

Great video! Do you have advice on how to choose a pedal system as well? SPD came on the used TT bike I got, and I'd like to change to a more road-focused pedal.

[@intheknowcycling]

Check out this review intheknowcycling.com/best-road-bike-pedals/

[@cjstricklin]

Thanks for the video! Is there a reason you use the yellow spd-sl cleats over blue or red?

[@intheknowcycling]

I prefer the 6 degrees of float (3 degrees to either side) that the yellow cleats provide. That reduces knee stress and gives me more freedom of movement than the others. The blue (2 degrees) and red (0 degrees) are too restrictive for me.

[@Skaughtto]

I've been riding with Shimano XC7 shoes and Specialized insoles. Do you feel like the gap between the XC7 and RC9 is large? Any thoughts on SPD vs SPD-SL?

[@intheknowcycling]

Hard to quantify but if you ride north of 200 watts on the road with mtb shoes and pedals you’ll notice a difference in efficiency vs road shoes and pedals

[@terrywalker7127]

Have you had a chance to test the Bont Vaypor? I just ordered some and are too big. Bont doesn't have phone support which I prefer. Also my R/H foot 5th metatarsal at the toe tends to push outward. That caused great pain with sidi shoes. Have heard the Bont wouldn't be such a good fit for that reason. Sending them back when ever I receive a return authorization email from them. Thinking of the specialized torch.

[@intheknowcycling]

I have. They do have a unique last and sizing approach so it's key to use their template to get the size right. The Vaypor is also heat moldable so it can deal with irregular toes like what you describe. That said, I found them incredibly stiff to the point of being uncomfortable. I've recently updated my shoe review including a couple of new Trek shoes that have expandable upper material around the toes and balls and the feet to help with situations like yours, which are not uncommon. You might want to check them out and the other shoes in the review including the Torch. Follow this link for the review intheknowcycling.com/road-cycling-shoes/

[@66mikkim]

Finding the right shoe without a bike shop that carrys them is nearly impossilble. I tryed all brands in you spreadsheet, from midtier too highend, NONE of them fit , there was always somthing pinchin or poking. I thought i would have to stick with my Northwave Core shoe forever, till i found some Scott Road Vertec Vent BOA, , they fit like they were custom made for my feet and for 166€ reasonable priced. Hope my next search will not take me months to find a new shoe.

[@ev-ezaye3580]

That's why Bike fitting comes in clutch - especially those that include or have cycling shoe fits

[@66mikkim]

@@ev-ezaye3580 no bike fitter will have all shoes on the market available in his shop. The bike fit is best with the shoes you already have (that fit you)

[@steveberens9593]

Those white shoes look all the same width. What if you have a broad foot and high arch?

[@intheknowcycling]

The range of road shoes I've tested have quite a width or volume range. Take a look at the comparison chart in the review on the site for specifics on which might fit you if you've got wider feet. For a high arch, you need to get an after-market insole like the Specialized Body Geometry one ++ or +++. All the shoes I've tested have pretty flat arches and the insoles that come with them don't give those of us with higher arches much support.

[@WowRixter]

#4 They not made in a communist country. Seriously, that's an important consideration for me. Excellent review, please include country of origin in future episodes

[@alexandro8242]

"promo sm" 😊