Road Cycling - Road Shoes

I am about to buy a new set of road shoes. I am undecided between Sidi Genius 4's and Nike Poggios. The only difference seems to be the security system. The Nike's have three velcro straps where as the Sidi's have the buckle and two velcro straps.

An alternative is the Nike Alteus, about $50 cheaper.

For those who have used both styles, which do you find more secure?

I have the new '04 DuraA-Ace pedals, by the way.

I have the Genius 4's and love them. Ride them with the '03 Ultegra pedals (same idea as the Dura Ace). The buckle is a bit wider at the top of the foot giving a bit more stability on the upstroke. The thing I really like is that the buckle is adjustable on the fly. You click the buckle once to release the strap one notch at a time for micro-adjustments. Really help on those long rides when you can't seem to get comfortable, or your feet swell a bit and tighten those shoes up. Really quick and easy. And, they fit like a glove.

Can't speak for the Nike's, but I don't think they are as easily adjusted.

i use Genius 4 shoes and i used to use 03 Ultegra pedals and hated the combo, those pedals sucked for anything but racing for me, i now use speedplay x2 pedals and those shoes and love them.

If you have a wide foot then the Sidi Genius 4 Mega's are great. I don't know about other shoes but you can get replacement parts for the Sidi's. I've replaced the heel twice. Once due to wear and tear and the other time because the screw came loose and it fell off on a ride.

No experience with the Nikes, but will add another vote for the Genius 4s. What fore0121 said... the top buckle micro-adjust is great. The concensus among every rider I know that uses them is that the Sidi Genius line is the best shoe for the money out there.

I have both the Genius 4's and the Poggios.

The Genius 4's are my choice, based on fit and the ease of acquiring spare bits and pieces. Every LBS carries Sidi stuff around here (Oz) where as very few carry Nike. It may be different around you, I would check first.

Other than that, they are very similar. Both a very good product, as with everything, fit is the key ;)

I've owned a nike pair of shoes before but sold it after owning a pair of sidi's. The racheting buckle just makes a difference. But every foot is different and my advice is just to try and fit both shoes. Evaluate it from there on which one fits you better. I'm sure other shoes like gaern,dmt and diadora are some good alternatives. One thing about sidi's that i like is replacement parts. I can change heel pads, buckle and adapter plates when they're worn out. With other shoe brands, you have to replace the shoes (pair). What size of shoes are you wearing?

What size of shoes are you wearing?

American size 13, so probably a 47 or 48, depending on brand. Also, my foot is just about wide, again, depending on brand.

I think the Sidi's, because of the replacement parts, may be the best choice. At my LBS, the Poggios are about $185 and the Genius 4's are $209.

I have a pair of the Sidi Energy which are basically the same as the Genius 4 except they have the Techno-II buckles in place of the lower two velcro straps and an adjustable sole stiffener. I think my Sidis (I also have the MTB version) are the most comfortable pair of shoes I own and I don't just mean cycling shoes. They fit wonderfully and feel great on all day rides. Of course everyone's feet are different and YMMV. I am running Speedplay Zeros on my RB and Time ATACs on my MTB and found that Sidis work perfectly with those pedal systems. The only downside seems to be price but I picked mine up while on a business trip in Italy so I only ended up paying half the price of what they would have cost in the US. See if you can find them on sale.

Veni, Vidi, Sidi

Another vote for the Sidi Genius 4's. I have a pair and love them. They fit perfect for my narrow foot.

your lbs is to high, Sidi's are always $195.00. wait i checked the Sidi website when did they go up. they were 195 forever.

your lbs is to high, Sidi's are always $195.00. wait i checked the Sidi website when did they go up. they were 195 forever.

Yeah, the Genius 4's were $190 at the LBS for ever and ever until last week or so. On the web, I can get still get them for between $180-190, but, then the shipping eats most of the difference and I can't try them on to make sure they fit.

I could go into an LBS, try on shoes and find out what size Sidi's are best for me, then order them on-line, but I feel like a con-man doing that. And, for the pittance in difference, I would rather support my LBS in hopes he remains in business - and at the same or nearby location - for many years to come.

www.totalcycling.com

Has Gen 4's for $104

www.totalcycling.com

Has Gen 4's for $104

Well, for $100 cheaper, plus $16 for shipping, yeah, sounds good! Thanks.

Well, for $100 cheaper, plus $16 for shipping, yeah, sounds good! Thanks.

;)

Get the white ones! :D

www.totalcycling.com

Has Gen 4's for $104

Dammit... my wife just caught me looking at that site and now I'm in trouble.

I just got a pair of Time shoes on sale for almost half price.They are very comfortable. Slightly recessed if you apply Time cleats.Might switch to Time pedals on my road bike so as to utilize the somewhat recessed positon for Time pedals.. Now I use Look pedals. Shoes are great. Comfortable.Great price.

Veni, Vidi, Sidi

Interesting quotation. It means: "I came, I saw, I sat down." Or: "I came, I saw, I got stranded." Either way, it's not a very inspiring quotation for cyclists. (Yeah, yeah. Scio quod iocus est). Nolite linguam latinam abuti!

On the main matter, when I tried on the Poggios about 18 months ago, they had a very strange fit. In my regular size or even a little bit smaller, I found it difficult to remain in the shoes even when walking around the LBS. They felt great around the toes and instep, but my heel was lifting out of the back. I felt that my feet would not stay in them while riding. I don't know what kind of foot they were designed for. Maybe Nike has changed the design since then.

Rich
(retired Latin teacher)

Interesting quotation. It means: "I came, I saw, I sat down." Or: "I came, I saw, I got stranded." Either way, it's not a very inspiring quotation for cyclists. (Yeah, yeah. Scio quod iocus est). Nolite linguam latinam abuti!

On the main matter, when I tried on the Poggios about 18 months ago, they had a very strange fit. In my regular size or even a little bit smaller, I found it difficult to remain in the shoes even when walking around the LBS. They felt great around the toes and instep, but my heel was lifting out of the back. I felt that my feet would not stay in them while riding. I don't know what kind of foot they were designed for. Maybe Nike has changed the design since then.

Rich
(retired Latin teacher)

I am reading Lance's first book and came to the part where Cofidis was trying to renege on their contract after publicly proclaiming they wouldn't, and Oakley, Milton-Gradley, Giro, and Nike stood by him through thick and thin. That alone makes me want to buy the Poggios over the Sidis.

I guess I'm just an old softie.

Shimano's,the SH-R151's would work great with your pedals.

I am reading Lance's first book and came to the part where Cofidis was trying to renege on their contract after publicly proclaiming they wouldn't, and Oakley, Milton-Gradley, Giro, and Nike stood by him through thick and thin. That alone makes me want to buy the Poggios over the Sidis.

I guess I'm just an old softie.

Very nice sentiment; however, don't let sentimentality guide your purchase of an item that can affect your comfort, riding performance, and knee health.

Rich

P.S. I agree with Shokhead about the Shimanos.

I just bought the Sidi G4s. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the very hard sole on these shoes, a plus in my book. Colorado Cyclist is have a close-out on the '03 models for $129 but limited sizes now so hurry.

Link for CC (http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.cfm?PRRFNBR=24038&CGRFNBR=429&CRPCGNBR=429&CI=1,259,429&TextMode=0)

I just got a pair of Sidi Energy's from totalcycling.com... I've just ridden them on the trainer so far with my new Speedplay X/3 pedals... they are nice... like wearing slippers...

I really wanted the white ones, but my wife started to question my sexual preference... so I ended up with the Silver ones...

Jeff

The link doesn't work for me. Also, are we talking USD or AUS? Can't believe anyone sells Genius 4's for half of retail....great deal if true.

I really wanted the white ones, but my wife started to question my sexual preference... so I ended up with the Silver ones...

Jeff

:lol:

I've got a white pair of Energy Carbon, special order from the warehouse! Now if that isn't...

Err, not that there's anything wrong with that. ;)

The link doesn't work for me. Also, are we talking USD or AUS? Can't believe anyone sells Genius 4's for half of retail....great deal if true.

Try again:

http://www.totalcycling.com

We are talking GBP converted to USD. If we were talking AUSD, it would be a quarter of retail in USD, which would be even more ridiculous. But remember, that's only the RRP for the States. The rest of the world gets a different price, this store is situated in Ireland.

Clear as mud? ;)

One word of advice about the Energy... Don't back the sole-stiffener off too much because if you do and catch the adjustment barrel on something while walking, the whole assembly can flop right out since there won't be enough spring pressure to keep them held in. The result is that you'll either lose the adjuster, the spring or both. I usually only back the stiffness off a maximum from half to three-quarters out. Admittedly, the difference between full on and full off isn't that much.

www.totalcycling.com

Has Gen 4's for $104

I went to the LBS today where I ordered my bike Monday (will be in next Friday) and told the guy about the price on that website and he said he'd match it.

Also he had some speedplay pedals I think they were X3 that he had marked for $99 he said he'd give me them for $70, is that a good deal, or should I just get the X2's?

One word of advice about the Energy... Don't back the sole-stiffener off too much because if you do and catch the adjustment barrel on something while walking, the whole assembly can flop right out since there won't be enough spring pressure to keep them held in. The result is that you'll either lose the adjuster, the spring or both. I usually only back the stiffness off a maximum from half to three-quarters out. Admittedly, the difference between full on and full off isn't that much.

Thanks for that. The shoes are still in their wrapping as they are meant for my team racing kit (a Christmas present for the team!!).

Maybe they gave them to us because they couldn't sell them :lol: