Cyclocross Racing - shoes?

what kicks are people using?

halfway through the season last year the sole on my sixsixone experts delaminated and pulled 3/4 off, I replaced them with pearl izumi vagabonds that I pretty much hated. I finished out the year with my shimano touring shoes.

this year I am thinking about getting some of the fancy Louis Garneau mtb shoes. I know the default answer will probably be dominators. opinions?

Sidi Dominators :D

I'm looking as well. I would like a shoe that's flexible enough to run in. Thoughts?

i wear dominators as well, but really it is the toes spikes that make the difference, put in the spikes!

I have not got on well with my Dominators. I used them with standard SPD's. I always had trouble with the shoe slipping off the platform if I didnt get the positioning right as soon as I jumped back on. I never had this trouble with Shimano's. I am looking for something different this year and may switch to Time Atac's as I have heard the platform is better and easier for fast engagements over SPD's. Like Cardstock, I benefitted with the spikes in though on tough uphill sections.

Specialized BG have worked well for me. They have replaceable toe spikes too.

How many people actually put spikes in? Don't know why, but I never felt I needed them. I thought on dismount they would dig in and actually do more harm, but maybe I'll try them.

I've always just used crappy cheap Performance brand shoes with my Time ATAC cleats and pedals. They're flexible enough to run in comfortably, have toe spikes (very important when running up a muddy hill!), and won't break the bank when I need to replace them.

I bought a set of perl izumi 2005/6 vagabonds from a guy for 50$ brand new. I have yet to try them out

What do you not like about them?

too stiff, the plastic tread on the bottom seemed too thick and it seemed to get in the way.

i have a pair of performance cheapies that I have been using for mountain biking but they slip too much when I run in them.

I am trying to make the same decision. I work at a shop and therefore get some discounts but I am limited to the shoes we carry. I also have a wide foot and the only shoes I have access to that will work are the dominator 5 megas or the shimano 225 wide sized. I am leaning towards the shimanos as they have the widest insole. Also, the nice thing about the 225's is that the front half has cf and the rear is just a normal plastic and is flexy enough to run in yet still gives a lot of stiffness for when you are on the bike.
~Nick

Sidi Eagle 6. They fit me perfectly and eventually I'll be grateful for the replaceable sole system.

I'm in the market for some new cx shoes. I've worn out my Pearl Izumi mtn shoes, which were really not ideal for cross, stiff sole, slippery, no toe cleats. They were so slick I had to Gorilla glue an old piece of tire to the sole. They were so stiff, the sole has broken at the forefoot. I've suffered long enough!

From a little reading, I guess most are using some type of Sidi or Shimano? The characteristics I'm looking for are:

1. flexible forefoot for dismounts and running
2. decent rubber tread
3. at least one non-velcro closure, maybe laces
4. light
5. toe cleat holes

Any suggestions? Not really excited about the Sidis . . .

I am trying to make the same decision. I work at a shop and therefore get some discounts but I am limited to the shoes we carry. I also have a wide foot and the only shoes I have access to that will work are the dominator 5 megas or the shimano 225 wide sized. I am leaning towards the shimanos as they have the widest insole. Also, the nice thing about the 225's is that the front half has cf and the rear is just a normal plastic and is flexy enough to run in yet still gives a lot of stiffness for when you are on the bike.
~Nick


I have EEEE wide feet and used Sidi Dominators for years MTB racing and 'cross racing. They're not a wide shoe, but I'm used to stretching shoes, and they worked fine.

If you really want a good, wide shoe look at Lake. They have the widest shoes out there and will be the next shoes I pick up for sure.

Afflicted with "Fred Flintstone Syndrome", I ordered Sidi Bullet 2s in Mega through my local Performance store. They're less expensive than the Dominators but don't have that slick ratchet system, just three Velcro straps. Check the Sidi website for sizing.

Question: None of my local shops carry toe spikes for these shoes. Am I underprivileged or does one have to order them off the Internet?

shimano mtb shoes. big spikes attached [which i custom hone to a point] on ice days.

it really makes a huge diff when there is ice

I have a pair of Fortes from performance (with Superfeet) that work great. Shoes 60ish, superfeet 20ish.

I've always just used crappy cheap Performance brand shoes with my Time ATAC cleats and pedals. They're flexible enough to run in comfortably, have toe spikes (very important when running up a muddy hill!), and won't break the bank when I need to replace them.

+1 for Performance's Forte MTB shoes. They have a mechanical closure and two straps just like Sidi's and Shimano's higher end shoe. I do notice some heel lift when running.

The bottom is stiff but I ran in them today and they felt good and they have the replacable front spikes. I always run the spikes. You can get replacable plastic spikes at Dicks or Sports Authority. They are plastic so buy a bunch because they will wear down fast.

anyone have experience with the nike YVR 3? I like that the soles are more flexy . . .

http://www.nike.com/index.jhtml?l=nikestore,pdp,_pdp,cid-100701/gid-137441/pid-137441&re=US&co=US&la=EN#l=nikestore,pdp,_pdp,cid-100701/gid-137441/pid-137441&re=US&co=US&la=EN

garneau also has come out with a cross-specific shoe--stiff sole, flexible toe. Not cheap, but it looks pretty interesting.

Are the spikes in Dominators and others the same as fit the holes in track and cross country (running)? Because if they are you can pick up a bag of them at any runing store for very little money. The ones made for cross country are beefier and wider than those made for use on track.

The soccer style spikes also work and suit most terrain better. They won't pick up sticks and bark the way track spikes do. I don't know XC spikes, but would expect they'd be better off road as well.

Ron

I am now the proud owner of said shoes. The Louis Garneau T-flex.

Plenty stiff, flexy on the toe, nice to run in, the jury is out on the toe spikes but they are removable, nice buckle system. I don't love the way they look, but that's really a non-issue.

The soccer style spikes also work and suit most terrain better. They won't pick up sticks and bark the way track spikes do. I don't know XC spikes, but would expect they'd be better off road as well.

Ron

It would be nice to have a bunch of different sizes to switch out depending on conditions. For example the little track spikes might work well on a really dry course (they're skinny and shrap and might give the most purchase on hard dirt). We uses to do this sometimes in cross country, anways.

Here's a picture I found displaying more sizes of spikes than I was aware existed:

http://www.venuesports.com/shop/graphics/sp/2601.jpg

The top right one is insane.

I am now the proud owner of said shoes. The Louis Garneau T-flex.

Plenty stiff, flexy on the toe, nice to run in, the jury is out on the toe spikes but they are removable, nice buckle system. I don't love the way they look, but that's really a non-issue.

Those look nice but cost a pretty penny. all the prices I saw were around $225.00. Crikey! I'd be afraid to get them dirty!

I work at a shop. I didn't pay full price.

That said.
I've never had a pair of shoes that cost a lot of money.

shimano touring shoes (still great for get around)
six six one experts (sole delaminated and fell off during a race)
pear izumi vagabonds (treads were too big, got gunked up too easily)
performance something or others I bought for $20 (worth $20)
and these fancy pants deals.

they rule. the flex in the toe is great for running. they are super stiff in all the spots where they need to be stiff. I don't know how they compare to dominators. but they are pretty awesome.