If I have the option of buying a pair of used Sidi Genius 5 Mega Shoes in "excellent condition" versus the option of buying a new pair of Shimano R132 shoes for the same price, well, everything else being equal, which pair should I get?

Are the Sidi's too excellent to pass up? I haven't tried either pair on, but let's say, for the sake of argument, I have and they both feel equally good.

What say you?

Oh, c'mon, someone's gotta have an opinion! I can't possibly make this decision on my own without the contributions of the BF brain trust, can I?

Okay, I'll bite. I don't think the Sidis are carbon-soled. I could be wrong, of course. The Shimanos are great shoes, especially at the price Bonktown has been pushing them at.

I have the R-131 and love it.

In the final analysis though, a great shoe is the one that fits and is comfortable on the kind of rides you do.

The Sidi's do have carbon soles. My five-year-old pair of Nike Altea II shoes have carbon soles also, but they're the only road shoes I've ever owned or worn, so I don't know what non-carbon soles are like.

The Shimano R132 shoes have carbon soles, also. So, carbon all round.

Sidis are nice, but I would always buy new. Of course my budget wasn't that much, I just got a pair of Shimano R086L's from JensonUSA for $55.

The only right answer is - the ones that fit you best. It's highly unlikely that they'll both feel great on your feet.

i've yet to own a pair of sidis and i do own the r132s. i suspect i would love the sidis as much or more if i were to drop the cash on a pair. however, i don't think i'd buy a used pair of sidis over a new pair of r132s.

This is the correct answer.

Get the ones that fit best.

And if you are buying these online, sight unseen without being able to try them on, the answer is "none of the above."

If ya got small feet sidis are rather cheap on competitive cyclist.