Read this before you buy Sidi MTB shoes - Major quality concerns

[Karooryder]

I do not believe that 18 months is a stretch in terms of the lifespan of a shoe, nor did I expect the soles of my shoes to rip off when going over the handlebars. I certainly was not the first mountain biker ever to go over the handlebars, but haven't heard of anyone else whose shoes suffered the same fate when dismounting in this particular way.

 

OK, but:

 

Btw, I'm wondering now, how can the soles detach at the front if you have cleat screws that secure not only your clips but also the soles?

 

I see niterider was wondering the same thing.

 

I don't understand how the sole can come off if you have cleats screwed in though? Did the cleats and their retaining hardware rip out too?

 

Not to go on about this but I'm actually really curious - did the retaining hardware come loose too - because that would, in my opinion, constitute a serious mechanical problem in the shoe.

Edited October 23, 2013 by Karooryder

[MintSauce]

Oh my goodness. If you walk on stones / rocks, expect wear. Did you really expect any other response from ASG?

As for changing the tread pieces - WHAT A BRILLIANT DESIGN IDEA! you can replace them when worn for a fraction of the cost of buying a completely new pair! and the softer rubber probably slips less on wet rock than other brands whose tread pieces are harder/more plasticised.

 

While I love Sidis, this is one area where I disagree. NOT a brilliant idea. In 20 years of riding I have yet to meet anyone who has warn out the treads off a shoe by walking. My 3yr old Specialised shoes show absoluetely NO WEAR whatsoever, and I walk a fair amount. That;s because they make them hard and durable an they offer more than enough grip.

 

Sidi soles lasted me about 4-6 months. And the prices they charge are RIDICULOUS! It's purely a moneymaking idea disguised as a feature. I say all this as someone who loves their product.

[flyluis]

Some people live for freebees.....

[jcza]

Love my disco Sidis but the soles are destroyed. Probably walk too much

[NicoBoshoff]

Everyone seems to equate warranty to "that's when crap should die". If every product bought was expected to die the minute the warranty expires then people would pay far less as the actual risk of re-spend is much higher. However, there is a tacit understanding that although product X, which costs R1000 and product Y, which costs R3 000 both share a 1 year warranty period, similar features etc. product Y has a reputation of lasting 7 years vs product X's 3 years.

 

Some people will then pay the R3 000 because it makes financial sense to spend more upfront and save long term.

 

The OP's point is perfectly valid and actually raises important questions of customer service, consumer expectations etc.

 

If Sidi's don't have a reputation of crapping after 18 months, then the money spent is justified. BUT that then raises the question - should this then not be seen as a product failure outside the boundaries of wear and tear and in the realm of plain product failure. Yes, the risk is on the consumer beyond the warranty period, but my gut says that it makes business sense to then rather own up to a freak occurrence and accommodate the client instead of rubbing his nose in a warranty.

 

Penny wise vs pound foolish methinks.

[Squier]

 

OK, but:

 

 

 

I see niterider was wondering the same thing.

 

 

Not to go on about this but I'm actually really curious - did the retaining hardware come loose too - because that would, in my opinion, constitute a serious mechanical problem in the shoe.

 

The cleats and and the "retaining hardware" were attached to the soles and not the shoes, after the incident.

 

Again, lastly, not too phased about sympathy from an internet guy. Consumer advice, that's all it is.

 

 

[Cassie]

No shame in walking, I put it in the big ring, and walk the sonaofabitch

 

:clap:

 

I always have this song in my head...."These boots are made for walking....'

Edited October 23, 2013 by Cassie

[Cassie]

Looks like a hungry couple of fellas.

But saying that, I just don't get the rave over Sidi shoes.

My gardening technician looks like John Travolta as I gave mine to him.

 

If you want real shoes get a pair of Specialized Olympic shoes.

 

error fixed...

[Mr X]

How exactly did the fall happen that both soles got ripped like that? Did you get detached from the bike and the cleats stayed in the pedals and ripped off the soles? Or did you land on your feet on rocks at speed? The details of the fall will indicate if it is a faulty product or not.

[Wannabe]

Seriously, i'm on the el-cheapo Olympic MTB shoes...they offer everything i could want!!

 

First pair lasted 3 years (with PLENTY of up-mountain walking!!)...I'm now 1 year into my second pair and still cannot justify any other shoe that will cost me 2-4x more...

 

Big up on Olympics!!

Same here Cassie. Bought mine at Sportsmans in Somerset West many a year ago when we came down for the Big Fun Ride. Got both the Road and Mtb versions on a special for R800.00. I would venture to say it is about 6 years later, and both pairs is still going strong.

Actually just recently went and bought a second Mtb pair for use in the Spinning / Cadence classes.

[NotSoBigBen]

No shame in walking, I put it in the big ring, and walk the sonaofabitch

 

As an old timer SS rider once told me 'I have 3 gears, sit, stand, walk' ....

[rouxtjie]

As an old timer SS rider once told me 'I have 3 gears, sit, stand, walk' ....

jonno showed me another one...called flapping aka swimming, to be used when you are hellava hungover.

[Spinnekop]

Have currently 4 pairs of Sidis.

Have owned about 4 pairs previously.

 

Cannot fault them yet. 35 000 odd kilos and counting........

[Kranswurm]

Waiting for these

[Squier]

How exactly did the fall happen that both soles got ripped like that? Did you get detached from the bike and the cleats stayed in the pedals and ripped off the soles? Or did you land on your feet on rocks at speed? The details of the fall will indicate if it is a faulty product or not.

 

Land on my feet on rocks at speed? Yonks ago I once jumped from my bike after my brakes failed on a downhill heading towards a very busy intersection. I had the stitches to prove that you cannot "land on your feet at speed". This was a different bike and different shoes though, so actually completely unrelated.

 

I guess what happened was that I got, as you put it, detached from the bike yet the pedals and the cleats were resisting the sudden detachment.

 

 

[ChUkKy]

Have currently 4 pairs of Sidis.

Have owned about 4 pairs previously.

 

Cannot fault them yet. 35 000 odd kilos and counting........

 

You clearly pedal more than hike, well done