AEsco48

say they were the same price... both $200

ExMachina

I've never ridden with the Sidi, but I tired on a pair in my size and noted that the toe box was narrower than the Specialized's. I also liked the Specalized's tensioning system better. I've had the Specializeds for almost 8 months and think they're great--no complaints.

Still think the Sidis look sexier, but since I've hopelessly gone to seed, they'd do me little good in that regard

hmai18

Try them both on. Some people don't like not being able to remove the Varus wedge that's built into the Specialized shoes. I also believe that the sole on the carbon Genius' only have a three-bolt pattern, so you may need adapter plates depending on your cleats.

Prince9931

I own the sidi's and they feel great, the racheting clasp is easy to use and they seem to breathe okay, just the insole that comes with the shoe is crappy, actually really crappy. But overall the shoe itself is nice

Serpico

I have the specialized carbon comps, but I would go with the sidis.

I don't like the fact that the arch wedge is built into the specialized. Other than that I like them.

PWRDbyTRD

Can anyone here with WIDE feet note which one they prefer.

gordo23

my understanding is that SIDI is good for those wide feet. Bottom line...u just need to try some on.

invincibleone

If you have wide feet Sidis are the obvious choice. It is availavle in "mega" and is perfect for the widest of feet. I am currently riding some Genius 5's and I could not be happier. Plus the Specalized are made in the far-east and the Sidi in Italy, the choice should be easy.

roadwarrior

If you have wide feet, get Sidi Mega's. If you have narrow feet, get the narrow Sidi's. If you have normal feet, get the regular Sidi's...
The ratchet, the strap, the heel counter are all replaceable. The upper is made of Lorica which is tremendous when wet from rain or persperation as it will dry without getting brittle or cracking.
I have a friend that is riding in his 10th year in a pair of Sidi's.
The sole is just stiff enough...even the professionals (Sidi is world-wide the most ridden shoe and is the most used shoe in the pro peloton by far) do not ride a full carbon sole...only a carbon insert for stiffness and comfort.
BTW...they put a new feature on the velcro straps where there are plastic teeth to ensure no slippage on those straps while riding.

Hands down the best shoe going. Bar none.

samp02

Obviously,whatever one fits better. I love my sid'd and would probably never wear any other brand. Good Luck both are nice shoes.

johnny99

Newer Sidi road shoes support either 2-bolt or 3-bolt cleat patterns.
Sidis come in the different widths: narrow, standard, wide.
Specialized will be generally cheaper for the same features.
Of course fit is a personal preference issue. Buy whatever fits you best.

AEsco48

i wish they came in 4 hole for a speed play cleat

maccpres

I've had both and the Sidi's were too narrow. The specialized took a ride or 2 to get used to but I love them. Never tried the Sidi mega.

Lectron

Go custom. Only way to get it right.
Got special feet, you need special shoes. Don't complicate it.

skydive69

I looked at them both, but liked the fit/style/technology of the Specialized and I purchased a pair in white. I love them. I now have a few thousand miles on them, and have raced them 7 times, and if these ever wear out, I will simply buy another pair.

martin_j001

I used Sidi's for a long time and they were really great. After a couple years they started to get uncomfortable--tight in the toe box--so I went and tried on the Specialized Carbon Pro's and loved them. Its a very comfortable shoe that gives my toes a little more room to wiggle when needed. Personally I don't think I notice the wedge thing at all, but I could be wrong. My advice--get what fits the best.

skinnyone

I bought the specialized pro road in white... Nice shoes and I pronate so the bump works for me..

rapidcarbon

I got a pair mtb sidi for 2 years now, and its insole really crappy just like you said, so I have to used the insoles from my old shimano shoes instead.

Just got a pair road sidi last month, and its insole is much much much much much better. I guess Sidi did hear enough complains.

feltrider

I dont think you will be dissapointed in either pair. People will say good things about both of them. I was talking to a cyclist the other day who has the Carbon Pro Specialized. He likes them but he has a problem with the rachet strap tearing on them

hmai18

I went through this when I was shoe shopping. AFAIK, Sidis with the Millenium II sole (regular G5 and Zeta) will be 2/3 hole compatible. The carbon models use the "hi-tech carbon sole" which only has 3 holes. The picture below is for the G4 carbon model, but the sole on the G5 is the same:

531Aussie

If it makes any difference, I'm pretty sure those Sidis don't have a full carbon sole; they only have a narrow carbon composite insert (40% carbon) under the arch. I think only the top model has the full-carbon sole, unless there's a difference in the U.S. and Asia Pacific models.

I have the Genius 5 Hi-Tech, and they just have the carbon composite arch insert



maybe you could get some of these

Urbanmonk

I have both Sidi and Specialized. The Specialized are ready to go out of the gate; the Sidis needed a good footbed; and, the Sidis are narrow.
Good luck!

Urbanmonk

mnutini

I just bought the Specialized Comp Carbon (one down from the pro). I was going to buy the pro but I felt the ratchet was going to have trouble on my wide feet (13s). The strap was towards the end with not much room to tighten down. The Pro's have a stiffer sole - i think it's a 10 as apposed to an 8.5 for the comp on whatever scale they use. Other than that they're pretty much identical.

Just wore them today for the first time. I like them so far but it's hard to get a real feel until I ride them for a bit.

I haven't tried the Sidi.

mooncricket

subjected my sidi to hell and back, and other than the ugly wear, they're still awesome. i do really love them. gonna get some sidi motorcycle boots as well.

skydive69

In thousands of miles I have not had problems with the ratchet strap on the Specialized. Good news though, is that they are one of the readily replaceable parts on the shoe.