Specialized vs Sidi Shoes

[snapshot]

I have always cycled with Specialized S-Works but there time is coming to an end so know I was wondering must I change or not?

S-Works 7 Road Shoes or Torch 3.0 Road Shoes vs Sidi WIRE 2 WOMAN or Alba-2

 

[Thomo]

Little difference in quality between Spez and Sidi shoes. (and while you're looking, perhaps consider upper end Shimano and Giro shoes too, and for something less common, Lake)

Really comes down to which fits best.

[Murrob]

I’ve ridden with quite a few different brands, for me the Sidi’s (I have both for road and mtb) are by far the best fit in terms of the adjustments you can make with its configurations - heel, independent fasteners etc. (you will need to ensure to get the right model). Also I would say you wear sidi’s in and other shoes out, they do seem to last much better and the walking tread is easily replaced as well as the other components. They are a pricy proposition for sure, but should not need replacing as often if looked after. Sidi’s for the win, good news is they are available at Cyclelab now. 

[FootballingCyclist]

34 minutes ago, Thomo said:

Little difference in quality between Spez and Sidi shoes. (and while you're looking, perhaps consider upper end Shimano and Giro shoes too, and for something less common, Lake)

Really comes down to which fits best.

To add to the above comment, the New DMT range is also very comfi(Not talking about the 7k top end knitted pair) and one of the best shoes I ever had were a pair of Shimano Sphyre.

 

If you were looking at Specialized, You can't really compare the Sworks 7 to the Torch 3.0, the 7 wins hands down, But I currently have a pair of top end Sidi  shoes and don't see myself changing brands again anytime soon unless I get another pair of Sphyres.

['Dale]

1 hour ago, snapshot said:

I have always cycled with Specialized S-Works but there time is coming to an end so know I was wondering must I change or not?

S-Works 7 Road Shoes or Torch 3.0 Road Shoes vs Sidi WIRE 2 WOMAN or Alba-2

 

If you were ultra comfy with the fit of the brand you wore, try not to change. Otherwise, take your favourite socks and have a good fit check with another brand. 
 

Lekka contact points are so important, uhm vital, to the cycling experience. 

[PlemPlem]

2 hours ago, Thomo said:

Little difference in quality between Spez and Sidi shoes. (and while you're looking, perhaps consider upper end Shimano and Giro shoes too, and for something less common, Lake)

Really comes down to which fits best.

Definitely I will second the Lake option!

After 12 years of Specialized shoes, I developed severe "Hot Spots' on long rides. Nothing I tried with regard to set-up, geometry, different inner soles etc. helped.

Finally I tried Lake as they offer true half-sizes and two different width options.

I have not had Hot Spots for  the last 2 1/2 years. Highly recommendable 

[Emazing]

Specilized shoes are comfortable and very light. Check the specs - Sid shoes use bright colors and lots of “marketing hype”” … have owned a high end Sid pair got ride of them after a few months. Will not change. The Specilized S-works shoes ate completely over price now. But a few models it’s barely affordable. 

[lechatnoir]

I splurged on a pair of S-Works and they were great. For a few weeks until the pressure on a small bone on the side of my ankle became unbearable and I had to sell them at a huge loss. It wasn't something that was noticeable at time of purchase and can happen with any shoes. Caveat emptor as they say

[karma]

You might find the SiDi's feel smaller than Specialized, even the "Wide" variant fits smaller than the same in the standard Specialized sizing.

[DieselnDust]

14 hours ago, snapshot said:

I have always cycled with Specialized S-Works but there time is coming to an end so know I was wondering must I change or not?

S-Works 7 Road Shoes or Torch 3.0 Road Shoes vs Sidi WIRE 2 WOMAN or Alba-2

 

 

If you were wearing a standard fit S-Works shoe the you probably have a narrow foot which will fit well in a Sidi shoe.

However, you also don't know what you don't know so maybe start with measuring the length and width of your foot by standing  on a piece of A4 paper and have someone trace your foot. Butt your heel up against the wall with the edge of the paper also against the wall and then stand on it. Trrace the outline of your foot with a narrow pencil or pen to ensure its as close as possible to your foot.

Then measure the length from the heel to the longest toe (often the middle toe)

Then the maximum width is often across the outside bone of the little toe and the big bone of the big toe.. Then you can use the information to determine if your foot is narrow, standard or wide or even extra wide.

 

If you end up in the narrow range then Specialised, Sidi, Giro, Fizik are good options.

lake offer shoes in widths to cater all widths of foot.

PS: Do not buy into "Sidi wears in" That bad advice. Leather shoes stretch, plastic does not and Sidi is plastic. 

[Murrob]

2 hours ago, DieselnDust said:

 

If you were wearing a standard fit S-Works shoe the you probably have a narrow foot which will fit well in a Sidi shoe.

However, you also don't know what you don't know so maybe start with measuring the length and width of your foot by standing  on a piece of A4 paper and have someone trace your foot. Butt your heel up against the wall with the edge of the paper also against the wall and then stand on it. Trrace the outline of your foot with a narrow pencil or pen to ensure its as close as possible to your foot.

Then measure the length from the heel to the longest toe (often the middle toe)

Then the maximum width is often across the outside bone of the little toe and the big bone of the big toe.. Then you can use the information to determine if your foot is narrow, standard or wide or even extra wide.

 

If you end up in the narrow range then Specialised, Sidi, Giro, Fizik are good options.

lake offer shoes in widths to cater all widths of foot.

PS: Do not buy into "Sidi wears in" That bad advice. Leather shoes stretch, plastic does not and Sidi is plastic. 

To perhaps clarify my statement, I was referring to how long the shoes last with normal use, wearing in. I have mates who’s Sidi’s are 4+ years old and still look in great condition. That’s why selecting the right fit and size is so important as Sidi’s, particularly the carbon sold higher end models are very stiff. If you have selected the right model and size, you should of course be comfortable from the get go.

m

 

[LuckyLuke]

where in SA can sidi's be purchased?

 

[FootballingCyclist]

6 minutes ago, devilliers said:

where in SA can sidi's be purchased?

 

Check ASG online, They stocked the full range at their Paarl store before it closed down, Not sure if there is an ASG is JHB though.

[DieselnDust]

There is an ASG store in Gauteng. I think its in Pretoria.

[Murrob]

Cyclelab is also now selling Sidi’s, saw a good amount of stock there a couple of weeks ago.

[Jewbacca]

I'm always amazed at how non affiliated users of a brand swear by their brand so fiercely. It's not a dig, just a weird human trait.

My advice would be this;

Cycling shoes these days are ALL pretty good at a certain price point. You will seldom buy a lemon if you have a decent budget, do some homework and get the shoe (of any brand) that fits you the best. 

IMHO don't get laces. I have a pair of Giro Empire Lace ups and they are amazing shoes BUT if you get the lacing wrong in the morning it's a pain. With Boa dials it's a quick 'click click' and boom. Job done.

Brands are just brands. Don't look at them as being 'better' than the other. On a similar price point line, most big brands will run congruently. 

As someone who used to get his running shoes for free, I used to tell people 'These shoes are really rad'.... I stopped getting my shoes for free because they wanted me to start being active on Socials so I got a bunch of different brand shoes for the 1st time in years.... OMG!!! Egg on my face there, the cool aid I had been drinking and selling was really not the best cool aid. I now have 3 pairs of trail shoes that whip the pants off the brand I used to wear and they retail at 65% of the cost. 

Sometimes the brand you have isn't even the best brand for you, let alone someone you don't even know. 

Choose a budget, pick a few pairs from the interweb, go try them on and then get the pair that fits the best and makes you want to wear them the most.