I still think the D2 is a bit more customized for less money. For the D2 price of $595 you're getting a semi-customized last and custom footbed like Rocket 7. However they also take your foot measures over the top at the metatarsil, instep and heel to instep so they can customize the volume of the shoe as well. Not to mention With Rocket 7 it's another $63 for any color other than silver/gray. D2 gives you a choice of colors, albeit limited.

I remember the purple Lamsons Oliver Starr used to wear back in the 90s.[/QUOTE]

yeah, those are the 1s I have, I really like them. I had them made in the mid-90s & then didn't ride much until just lately so I can't really comment on the durability.

New D2's... It was a very quick and painless process with a 2-week turnaround following the return of the fit-kit. The construction seems pretty hardcore. Far more durable than the Lake CX400's I was using before.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/...771a5e419e.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3228/...e4db6af78a.jpg

See more photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ewwhite...7606877335272/

Anybody can tell me why if are custom shoes, the designs are freaking ugly?

Lets face it, its a f.. ugly custom shoe. Poor finishing. 500 bucks for that? I rather get shims for 20 bucks and a nice moldable insole for 50...

They really need to hire an profesional shoe maker or a designer... Darn!

I'm not saying are bad shoes, they are simply UGLY!

Not that I'm a shoe expert but what is so bad about the finishing? And ugly? You choose the colors...

People are buying these shoes because nothing stock is fitting them correctly....Get it??

Shims?? How the hell is a shim going to make a shoe fit better?? It might improve your pedal stroke, but it ain't going to make a shoe fit better...

Also, no $50 moldable insert is going to come as close to fitting your foot as a custom made orthotic. Plus, I'd think that a custom made orthotic that is designed to work specifically with a shoe will even give you a better fit...

Sorry, but my numb feet and various foot pains are telling me there is a problem....

Lastly; when a person is on a bike upwards 15 hours a weeks, with rides at 5 hours plus, they want to be comfortable. Your contact points, the feet, hands, and butt have to feel good. So, I will spend any amount of money to make sure those are good to go..

Personally I think the shoes look pretty good. There's lots of off the shelf shoes that are more ugly...

Ugly is in the eye of the beholder.

After riding 54 miles in them today, and 28 on Thursday, I just LOVE my D2's! I don't care how they look. But after trying on I don't know how many pairs of off the shelf shoes and not getting anything close, and months of pain, burning sensation, and numb toes in my Sidi's, these D2's are spectacular. They FIT.

I happen to think D2's look pretty good. I have always preferred the look of 3 parallel velcro straps going back to the white/pink Adidas Team Telekom used to wear. I think Rocket 7 road shoes are unattractive but I like their track model.

custom shoes are next on my list. My buddy has two pairs of LUST full custom shoes and said they are worth more than getting a new bike.

To follow up, Got them back last week, and they fit much better now. Did 138 miles on Sunday with no issues.

Bump.

What is up with Rocket7? If you go to their webpage, it looks like the only option available now is the full prescription at $1450, plus the cost of the prescription.

I was going to shoot them an email and ask, but there's no obvious way to do that from the webpage.

If you are willing to try another set of off the shelf shoes, Shimano SH-R310L are moldable which is suppose to make them fit like custom. They will probably be heavier than D2 but will last a long time. Lake also makes moldable shoes.

Here is a link:

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/cont...0L.-type-.html

I saw that too. I hope they're just in the midst of updating their website, rather than having to limit the scope of their business.

The repairs info is still up, so I suppose if it comes down to it I could just send the shoes in for a new upper when it's time.

It would be best to call D2 and Rocket7 and talk to them directly. I suspect there is an error on Rocket7's WEB site. I doubt they only have prescription shoes available.

I ordered my Rocket7's about a year ago. They are standard with custom footbeds.

Regardless which way you go, you should have a podiatrist make the cast of your feet. If you are just getting shoes with custom footbeds, have a "slipper" cast made. It includes the bottom of your feet -- thus the name. If you intend to go full custom, you will need a full cast of your feet. There are other, cheaper ways to do this -- foam impressions etc., but the results will be much better if you have the casts done professionally. In any case, talk to D2 or Rocket7 before you have them made.

What's going on with Rocket7?
 

I have two pair (pairs?) of Rocket 7's. Both custom, although I think you guys are right about the second pair not being truly custom, since I never used a crush box for them. Anyway, I've been trying to contact the people at Rocket 7 for over a month, to get the older set of shoes repaired. The topmost metal loop on each shoe broke (I have a temporary fix in place), plus I just discovered that the carbon just above the heel on each shoe is CRACKED! Noticeably cracked, that is. But with no one responding from Rocket 7, I'm not sure if I'll be able to get them repaired. What originally steered me to Rocket 7 was the fact that they make shoes for Speedplay 4-bolt cleats, without the need for an adaptor. In frustration, I contacted D2 last week, but they only make shoes with 3-bolt (Look) cleat patterns. I see that Bont supposedly makes shoes with the Speedplay drilling, but I've never actually seen a pair in person and never even heard of them until I did a Google search. Anyway, I really do like my Rocket 7's, but if they're not around anymore, or not making "low end" $800 shoes anymore, I have to look for alternatives.

For all the talk about D2 fitting I will say they completely disappear when on the road. I did a 60-mile charity ride yesterday. My feet/shoes never even crossed my mind until my calves started cramping 40 miles out. No hot spots, pinching, slippage...like wearing socks on carpet floor.

any more information available about these two shoes. It looks like Rockets only option costs $1500. About a grand for D2 fully custom. Just trying to decide which is best.

How have people been fairing with the Shimano SH-R310L?

Well the point is now moot; Rocket7 seems to be out of business. Their email and 800 number no longer work, and they don't answer the 253 number at their Puyallup site. It's a damn shame, as I loved having the manufacturer of my shoes be an hour's drive in case of any need for repairs. I'll have to baby my R7's from now on.

After those fall apart, I'm thinking Bont.

After giving up on my old customs, I ended up trying Sidis, I think they are the Carbon 5.5s or something like that. I gave them a try b/c they have the cable adjustment for tightness on the heel, since I have very narrow heels, & the buckle across the top that is off of their dirt bike boots--it gets A LOT tighter than any velcro strap if you have narrow, flat feet. they work great, & they were only about $250 on ebay.

There is a fitter for Bont in Orange County (he makes the cast moldgins of your feet). I can see if I still ahve his contact info but if you're gonna spend the dough for custom wouldn't you want the comapny to fit your foot?? PM if you want the info.

Rob

**Sorry i ddin't realize how old this thread was. Disregard my thoguhts**

Rocket 7 is back in business after relocating.

Have a link to their site or a number to call?

Their website is still down.

The website works http://rocket7.com/

In terms of looks

D2 > Rocket 7

The Rocket 7 looks like some Payless branded shoes. It's ugly brah.