Yep lol mine did cost 108€($120) (139€ ($ 155) recommended retail price) and i am perfectly happy with them lol..... the inexpensive shoes are still a lot more expensive than what you need to get decent shoes :) 630g (both shoes together) with cleats and super comfortable from the first go (/No break in needed) and S.L.W. 2 dial system. besides that i really think you should emphasize that those Giro shoes you advertise are for people with small/narrow feet only....
I was watching this and my wife was in the kitchen listening and I was super nervous she'd ask me how much my shoes cost (lucky for me she didn't, they were $430)
I usually buy whatever is on sale around 100 bucks and usually from my local bike shop. That way they stay in business when i need them to fix my bike.
About a month ago I acquired a pair of Giro Empire SLX cycling shoes (in Ultraviolet) from Competitive Cyclist @ $139.98 -- a massive discount from the regular price (they've since been bumped up to $174.97). They are extremely stiff, and come with a fit kit that customizes the arch support and orientation of your foot as best as possible via different insoles. Moving directly from a pair of entry-level, single-boa Specialized shoes (no complaints -- they were great for a beginning cyclist -- it's just that they were eight years old) the difference is remarkable. The laces are kept tight to the instep with an elastic, tabbed loop -- I tie the shoes, twist the laces into one "braid," and tuck them through the elastic -- no worries. They're yet to come even slightly loose. And these shoes are extremely, almost laughably light. I've enjoyed a number of purchases via Competitive Cyclist. Customer Support is great, and if you shop a little, savings can be significant. Fun video -- thank you, VC!
Michael Hrivnak I do love the lace system on The Giro Empire ACC’s, But I’ve found they do tend to loosen up over the course of a ride if you’re putting out big watt surges out of saddle. Not to any extreme extent, But they loosen for sure. I got ‘em on sale also for only 108$ after tax! Original price over 200$! I stepped up from some beginner entry level tommaso shoes and, Damn, The step up makes a high difference in on bike performance
@@warwingsenthusiast5672 I would agree that there's a typical amount of give for these shoes when laced. That said, I don't think they loosen to a point of distraction -- at least not to me. I haven't tried a different set of laces. I'm sure there are little-to-no stretch lace options out there, and maybe they'd help. My sense is that at the prices we were able to take advantage of, the dramatic upgrades in lightness and stiffness more than compensate for the give. Hey, if your feet swell at all during hot weather rides, you'll never notice, right?!
Had the S-works 6's. Was a rough wear at the heel. Thought they would break in but after a year of use i realized it was never going to happen. Ended up selling them off on eBay.
So proud you got through without apologizing for Sponsored content! ;) Would love to try the Giros but i like to have loose shoes for most of the ride and tighten up at various points so Boas are ideal for that laces not.
Lol I have exactly those "sub $100 shoes" from Shimano and they're great! I rode across the country in them. I also have the giros that fall between your $300 and $400 options (Empire SLX) and like them mostly because they're light and look cool. The spd shimanos are more comfy and way easier to walk around in
I've had the Giro Empire ACCs for a couple years now. Put like 13000 miles on them and they're still going strong. Super comfy and great build quality.
Good stuff. I have the Prolight Techlaces. Feather light, great for short rides/races, but I feel like I lose a lot of power transfer with the flimsy uppers. My go-to's are the Sidi Shots. Heavy, but super sturdy. What you lose from the extra grams, you make up in spades in power transfer.
I recently got the new Decathlon van Rysel Roadr 900 shoe with a Carbon sole which is extremely stiff and they are very well made and light and fit great. All that for just 120 €. I also own the Gaerne Tornado which are just a bit ligher but costed me 200€ a few years ago. they are also very good but i can get a better shoe for just 120 € so yeah.
Good video. My guess is that the $300 may have some slight aero advantage to it, and be better in cooler weather. My question would be - how much water weight does the $200 material absorb vs. the $300 when hitting a patch of rain / puddles? If that's a fabric that absorbs water, the weight could be markedly heavier.
After watching your review I ordered the "giro empire e70 knit" and love them. The price was 170€ on amazon - Germany. I just recently got into cycling but my twin brother is riding since at least 10 years so I already had access to very high quality equipment and know how very expensive stuff feels like. This shoes is easily as good as the "s-works specialized road shoe" and this shoe was back then 350€ or so. Good review you safed me at least 150 bucks.
@@DanTuber My shoes didn´t stretch alot. I have super narrow feets, so for me they are perfect. If your proper fit depends on stretching them, then you either bought the wrong size or the shoe design isn´t for you.
I just ordered the Giro Empire ACC HV+ Cycling Shoe from Competitive Cyclist. It'll be the first time I've had laces since my very first cleated shoes for toe clips and straps. And these I believe were Detto Pietro's with the cleates nailed to the shoe!!!
Unless you're racing I highly recommend mountain bike shows. They are just so much easier if you have to walk at all in them. You can get a nice pair on sale for $50-75 if you look around.
I use SPD pedals and Pearl Izumi mountain bike shoes on my training, group and endurance bike and Kleo on the race bike. I really like that I don't have to change my shoes when I take my car out to a bike spot. The double sided pedals are perfect for riding in city traffic. I have no idea why city/casual/slower riders bother with race pedals and shoes.
Philip, I went over to Giro's website, and found a version of Tyler's preferred model that uses the SPD (mountain-style) cleat. Check out the Republic R Knit model - only $140. www.giro.com/en/republic-r-knit/p/7090385 I prefer the SPD style myself - so much more practical for walking around off the bike.
Love the Giro Empire SLX (lace ups). I see why he likes them, your feet feel light, comfy, supported and have a stiff performance sole. Luckily, they fit MY feet! Cycling shoes are a very personal issue for fit, I wish this was stressed more here, but love this channel.
Can't speak for any of the other shoemakers, but as far as Sidi goes, their best bang for the buck shoes (Ergo/Genius) are in the $200 range that have about 3/4's of the performance & features of their flagship shoes for less than half the price. Plus Sidi is awesome at trickling down their technology. Today's $250 Sidis are yesterday's $500 Sidis.
I know this video is sponsored and all but I rode for years in $80 shoes and chose those over my $200 shoes for when I cycled across america because of the durability and comfort difference. The more I have spent on shoes the more let down I have been.
S-Works are probably the only shoes that can compare with Sidis.I'm a Sidi man, but I've been eyeing those new Ares so hard, I might have to pay the bride price.
It's amazing to me that people cheap out on shoes. Like you said it's a big part of how you're connected to the bike. IMO having comfortable shoes is a HUGE priority...which is why my shoes currently are so old. I've been looking for new ones but haven't found the right shoe yet. Giro lace ups are interested though...too bad my shop doesn't carry them. I'd hate to go to the shop that carries Giro and then buy from CC though. Love CC and shop there a bit but to me shoes is something I'm trying on before I buy.
Wish you spoke more about the sole stiffness of the shoes and like breathability instead of just comfort. Otherwise great vid love the music and your humor as always tho. I have Pearl Izumi's with a "stiffness index 13" whatever that means
Andrew Steavpack if I remember correctly the ACC and prolights use an Easton ec90 sole while the knit shoes use an ec70 sole, negligible difference for anyone who isn’t in the world tour but still a difference
Yeah I mean in the end stiffness really doesn't matter unless you're putting out really high power. Brands slapping a number on the sole to represent the relative stiffness is a great marketing ploy for somewhat irrelevant numbers since they don't have a corresponding unit
Andrew Steavpack all I know is that I’ve tried Shimano rp5 shoes, fizik r1b shoes, and giro vr90s and all I can say is that I can definitely tell the difference between the two road shoes (drastic difference), however when you get to $200 shoes (empire e70, torch 3.0, sentrie techlace) the differences are negligible between the $200 shoes and anything above. I just use the r1b’s and vr90s because they were half off and look really good
Good point about the stiffness index, I really wish specialized (and other brands) would release testing results, I doubt the shoes really help much over $200
Perhaps some info on the shoes, such as stiffness and sole construction. Do they have any replacement pars for them such as parts that come into contact with the ground when walking
sub 100 by one penny is the Fizik R5 Powerstrap. Blew me strait out of the water. fit and feel is amazing and the price is right. Great breakdown though, for what ever reason the cheapest shoe in a line up seems to be the best bang for buck, I've worn "high end" shoes just to be disappointed due to comfort. I'd much rather race 100miles being 100g heavier than 100miles and being 100g lighter and in pain.
Goin' back to good ol' Bike Fit James' advice - the shoe's gotta fit!! I used to rock some giro republics (regular spd style, not road) and they were so friggin comfy. moved to spesh experts (for that road cleat and carbon sole) and whilst they're still super comfy, they're definitely longer for the same size. not tried giro road shoesies yet, but spesh has spoiled me with that nice boa dial and i don't wanna go back to lace xD
I use the $$ for racing and a cheaper and comfortable pair for training and chilling. Your grey Giros looks legit though, might have to check those out.
I really like all of my Giro shoes. I agree with all of this vid. I haven't triedvthecreal high end ones. Now point in it at my level. I like the Empire shoe a lot, the laces are really ok, but I prefer some Giro shoes that were cheaper, called Sotto Boa, with a boa and a nylon sole. As light as the Empire. I've had my eyes on the knit ones especially in the Gulf Coast climate.
I've had two pairs of S-Works and never had to break them in or any issues what so ever. That said shoes are very different across brands and models thus making what's right for me not necessarily what's right for you. The most important thing is to find a pair that fit properly! some brands come up wider than others and you also find cleat positioning is different between brands. I love S-Works because they work well on a narrow foot and allow you to get the cleats quite far back.
Do you guys have access to Decathlon in the states? Ive got their top of the range carbon soled shoes with wire ratches for only £75 ($100). Seem amazing value to me, way stiffer and better fitting than my previous simanos. Apparently used by a few world tour teams as well.
Hey Tyler, do you have any experience with Giro's "sister shoe" to the $200 model you love, designated as the "Republic R Knit"? This is essentially the same upper, but the sole is a nylon/rubber blend, designed to accommodate 2-hole cleats, and it sells for $150. I use SPDs across the board, so this looked like a great alternative.
I’ve got the Giro Empire ACC’s (those black/white ones except mine are the Blue steel color way) and I absolutely love them. Love the lace system more so than than the boa system or Velcro. I got them for a solid deal also, more than 60% off! They come with a band on the tongue so you can tuck the ends of the laces underneath so they won’t get caught on anything. They also have customizable arch support for the insole. You can take out the insole, And on the bottom of it is padding on a Velcro patch that you can swap out with one of 3 sizes that come with the shoe for a better more personalized fit to your liking. They’re great shoes and they form to your exact foot shape when you break ‘em in. P.s. I say tight and sick all the time 🤷🏻♂️ California slang, Man haha!
What about racing in laced shoes? I like the idea of the comfort, that you were so amazed about but the shoe is useless if I can't put in big watt pushing and pulling without having to relace them... Cheers
Vincent Böck For the lace up shoes, When doing huge watt sprints and efforts, Anywhere from 800w and above, The shoes become noticeably loose on the foot. Not to any extreme extent, But you can feel a difference in tightness from pre-sprint to post-sprint.
Vincent Böck Look at JensonUSA.com They’ve got the Giro Empire ACC’s (The second shoes in this video, The black/white laced ones) for more than 50% off! Original retail over 200$ but on Jenson they’re only 108$! I got them but In the blue and black color way and I honestly love them so much. They come with customizable arch support which is you can take out the insole, And customize it with one of 3 pads they provide to better the fit to your preference. Just remove the arch pad from the Velcro and swap it with one of the 3. They also come with elastic bands on the tongue for you to tuck the ends of the laces in after you’ve tied them to ensure they won’t be caught in anything. The knots stay tied which is amazing, But they do become slightly loose (very small amount) after big efforts like I was talking about. The carbon sole is very stiff and overall, These shoes stand out from the crowd and feel even better. They have the black and white color way on discount for 108$ as well as the blue and black.
I paid 100 for my gyro spd mtb style shoe ( roadie but I like to walk in stores like a normy) 2 years ago and still clip in like a champ. 185lbs and 1300w later I've yet to unclip in a sprint
Ok dude ! ( Only because you say it all the time) What about s Sole stiffness power transfer, Arch support? I don't do competitive cycling, but I love the Mavic off road ones and my Louis Garneau road bike ones, both under $100 (on sale) . Allways by your shoes at the end of the season when you need new shoes and everything is on sale. And what about the advice which I took to heart that off road ones are more comfortable and easier to walk in. Which make them better for training and all around daily use? So many brands out there and styles love to see a poll by your subscribers what they are wearing for : leisure, training, and racing. Ps. Don't buy on line. Support employment in your community and your local bike shop.
VC lives in Hollywood so he can afford to spend that kind of money. My monthly costs are as follows housing per month 150 USD, food 60 USD, , Kms ridden in 2019 - 6,322.3, cost of shoes 40 USD. So VC you can ride 100 miles in sub 100 USD shoes.
i was so lucky to get diadora vortex II pros for only $100 at the Toronto Bike show. I go back every year yearning for another steal like that, I have not clue how I managed to get them or how they were priced so cheap to begin with. Blue shoes for a mostly black and red bike but can't complain
Just tried to use the promo code. Didn't work. Reached out to Competitive Cyclist and they said "we have been getting that issue a lot the last few days". They said can apply it on their end but couldn't do it via regular shopping cart. Hassle.
Specialized Torch 3s all day. Half the price of the S-works, much more comfortable, and just a little less stiff. Weight is probably not too far off either.
They weig 510 without cleats ! Other shoes way below 500 without cleats but 600+ with .... besides that Shimano SH1 are very comfortable but not stiff shoe. Basically in all of performance gear you want as much stiffness as possible.
@@487porkchop true, but I find its best to find the brand that best suits your foot shape and then select your preferred model. All Shimano shoes fit me kinda fine for instance, but slightly too much room around the front part of my foot. Sidi is almost always too wide. That type of stuff is really important I think
On this episode of Worth It, we are going to try 3 different pairs at 3 different price points and are gonna decide which is the best at its given price point!
i have $100 Scott with BOA; they have same fit/shape as Look; and do the job great. they have good toe clearance so no toe crushing / numb toes/feet. if you ride in the cold however, shoe covers might be a good idea, as they vent pretty well. *the cheaper Scott shoes have a better fit/design ive found.
Yeah the cheap ones look awesome enough. Because remember price doesn't equal comfort. I have a pair of Fancy Pants Bontrager cycling shoes and I wore them twice and then I put them back in my closet because they weren't comfortable and I went back to my $120 pair of cycling shoes.(on sale) and I'm done a couple of 200to 300 kilometer bicycle rides in them the brand is called diadora and the weight is 552 grams with the clip in them. (552 grams per shoe) LOL so not the lightest shoe but they're pretty comfortable
Alexander Voake The Giro Empire ACC’s come with a band on the tongue of the shoe with a Giro logo on it for that exact purpose. For you to tuck the ends of the laces underneath so they don’t get caught on anything. I have those ones he featured in this video and have ridden them a couple hundred miles now and haven’t once had the laces come out from under the band and get caught in anything. They’re an insanely comfortable shoe but they do run small. Normally, I wear a size 43, I originally got the Giro’s in a size 43.5 and they fit SMALL AF! Had to take them back and go up a full size to 44.5 and they fit absolutely perfect now and are an amazing shoe! He left a lot of key details for these shoes. They have personalized arch support on insole. You take the insole out, And there’s arch padding that’s on Velcro that you can swap out for one of three options that come with the shoe to customize and better the fit to your own liking. They’re a really great shoe.
I ride barefoot and use zipties to secure my feet, ultra secure, ultra light.
Ahahah 👍
I use zipties as seat belt
I use zipties as parachute. If that makes sense.
I zip tie my feet to the crank arms (no pedals) save more weight! lol...
flip flop style
I put my index toes in the holes for the pedals no zip ties no pedals
200 is the less expensive. I consider 200 a very expensive bike shoe.
Yep lol mine did cost 108€($120) (139€ ($ 155) recommended retail price) and i am perfectly happy with them lol..... the inexpensive shoes are still a lot more expensive than what you need to get decent shoes :) 630g (both shoes together) with cleats and super comfortable from the first go (/No break in needed) and S.L.W. 2 dial system. besides that i really think you should emphasize that those Giro shoes you advertise are for people with small/narrow feet only....
@@lordad totally agree
I consider 200 a very expensive shoe. I don't use bike shoes lol I use trainers
Got a barely used sworks 7 for less than 200$
Secondhand is life
I purchased the Giro E70 Knit Shoes per your recomendation. I have NEVER had a shoe or any piece of equipment that made me so happy. Thank you!!!
Just grabbed some Shimano SPD shoes and pedals for $80 for my new gravel bike. Thought I got a good deal.
You got shoes which you can walk in and they are cheap. Where ist the catch?
Probably nowhere! ;)
@@ojanssensande Just that they look a bit like old people shoes lol
I was watching this and my wife was in the kitchen listening and I was super nervous she'd ask me how much my shoes cost (lucky for me she didn't, they were $430)
Me : 100$ shoes! No way
Also me : These specialized shoes for 220$ don’t seem too bad
I usually buy whatever is on sale around 100 bucks and usually from my local bike shop. That way they stay in business when i need them to fix my bike.
I just bought E70's based on this video and absolutely love them! They are much stiffer and high performance than I was expecting. Thank you VC
crying laughing.... "Dude! Chill!" "Tight" | Love it man.
100$: *Am I a joke to you?*
About a month ago I acquired a pair of Giro Empire SLX cycling shoes (in Ultraviolet) from Competitive Cyclist @ $139.98 -- a massive discount from the regular price (they've since been bumped up to $174.97). They are extremely stiff, and come with a fit kit that customizes the arch support and orientation of your foot as best as possible via different insoles. Moving directly from a pair of entry-level, single-boa Specialized shoes (no complaints -- they were great for a beginning cyclist -- it's just that they were eight years old) the difference is remarkable. The laces are kept tight to the instep with an elastic, tabbed loop -- I tie the shoes, twist the laces into one "braid," and tuck them through the elastic -- no worries. They're yet to come even slightly loose. And these shoes are extremely, almost laughably light.
I've enjoyed a number of purchases via Competitive Cyclist. Customer Support is great, and if you shop a little, savings can be significant.
Fun video -- thank you, VC!
Michael Hrivnak I do love the lace system on The Giro Empire ACC’s, But I’ve found they do tend to loosen up over the course of a ride if you’re putting out big watt surges out of saddle. Not to any extreme extent, But they loosen for sure. I got ‘em on sale also for only 108$ after tax! Original price over 200$! I stepped up from some beginner entry level tommaso shoes and, Damn, The step up makes a high difference in on bike performance
@@warwingsenthusiast5672 I would agree that there's a typical amount of give for these shoes when laced. That said, I don't think they loosen to a point of distraction -- at least not to me. I haven't tried a different set of laces. I'm sure there are little-to-no stretch lace options out there, and maybe they'd help. My sense is that at the prices we were able to take advantage of, the dramatic upgrades in lightness and stiffness more than compensate for the give. Hey, if your feet swell at all during hot weather rides, you'll never notice, right?!
I've had my S-Works for 3 years now, they're still not broken in!! 😂😭😂😭
Had the S-works 6's. Was a rough wear at the heel. Thought they would break in but after a year of use i realized it was never going to happen. Ended up selling them off on eBay.
intro song brought back memories haha so tight
So proud you got through without apologizing for Sponsored content! ;) Would love to try the Giros but i like to have loose shoes for most of the ride and tighten up at various points so Boas are ideal for that laces not.
Lol I have exactly those "sub $100 shoes" from Shimano and they're great! I rode across the country in them.
I also have the giros that fall between your $300 and $400 options (Empire SLX) and like them mostly because they're light and look cool. The spd shimanos are more comfy and way easier to walk around in
I've had the Giro Empire ACCs for a couple years now. Put like 13000 miles on them and they're still going strong. Super comfy and great build quality.
Good stuff. I have the Prolight Techlaces. Feather light, great for short rides/races, but I feel like I lose a lot of power transfer with the flimsy uppers. My go-to's are the Sidi Shots. Heavy, but super sturdy. What you lose from the extra grams, you make up in spades in power transfer.
Got Shimano xc5 spd shoes for 50 dollars. Carbon sole. Best deal
I recently got the new Decathlon van Rysel Roadr 900 shoe with a Carbon sole which is extremely stiff and they are very well made and light and fit great. All that for just 120 €.
I also own the Gaerne Tornado which are just a bit ligher but costed me 200€ a few years ago. they are also very good but i can get a better shoe for just 120 € so yeah.
Beautiful video VC! This is the best commercial I've seen all day :-)
Wayne W Bishop GOTTEEEMMMM!
Worked for me also lol! Bought a pair. Nice shoes!
I really have nothing to do with bikes but I just love your videos !😂👍🏻
Good video. My guess is that the $300 may have some slight aero advantage to it, and be better in cooler weather. My question would be - how much water weight does the $200 material absorb vs. the $300 when hitting a patch of rain / puddles? If that's a fabric that absorbs water, the weight could be markedly heavier.
After watching your review I ordered the "giro empire e70 knit" and love them. The price was 170€ on amazon - Germany. I just recently got into cycling but my twin brother is riding since at least 10 years so I already had access to very high quality equipment and know how very expensive stuff feels like. This shoes is easily as good as the "s-works specialized road shoe" and this shoe was back then 350€ or so. Good review you safed me at least 150 bucks.
Does the knit stretch at all? Regular leather Giro's can be quite narrow fitting.
@@DanTuber My shoes didn´t stretch alot. I have super narrow feets, so for me they are perfect. If your proper fit depends on stretching them, then you either bought the wrong size or the shoe design isn´t for you.
Man if you have narrow feet Giro is for you! I tried, I loved the lace, but not comfortable at all for a wide foot.
Same with Shimano, even in the wider width I found them too narrow for my feet
Love this, large and stable. Have used it for several seasons
I just ordered the Giro Empire ACC HV+ Cycling Shoe from Competitive Cyclist. It'll be the first time I've had laces since my very first cleated shoes for toe clips and straps. And these I believe were Detto Pietro's with the cleates nailed to the shoe!!!
Unless you're racing I highly recommend mountain bike shows. They are just so much easier if you have to walk at all in them. You can get a nice pair on sale for $50-75 if you look around.
I use SPD pedals and Pearl Izumi mountain bike shoes on my training, group and endurance bike and Kleo on the race bike. I really like that I don't have to change my shoes when I take my car out to a bike spot. The double sided pedals are perfect for riding in city traffic. I have no idea why city/casual/slower riders bother with race pedals and shoes.
Philip, I went over to Giro's website, and found a version of Tyler's preferred model that uses the SPD (mountain-style) cleat. Check out the Republic R Knit model - only $140. www.giro.com/en/republic-r-knit/p/7090385 I prefer the SPD style myself - so much more practical for walking around off the bike.
Love the Giro Empire SLX (lace ups). I see why he likes them, your feet feel light, comfy, supported and have a stiff performance sole. Luckily, they fit MY feet! Cycling shoes are a very personal issue for fit, I wish this was stressed more here, but love this channel.
Can't speak for any of the other shoemakers, but as far as Sidi goes, their best bang for the buck shoes (Ergo/Genius) are in the $200 range that have about 3/4's of the performance & features of their flagship shoes for less than half the price. Plus Sidi is awesome at trickling down their technology. Today's $250 Sidis are yesterday's $500 Sidis.
I know this video is sponsored and all but I rode for years in $80 shoes and chose those over my $200 shoes for when I cycled across america because of the durability and comfort difference. The more I have spent on shoes the more let down I have been.
Thought I was crazy buying $400 S-Works shoes but they fit like a glove and have lasted 5 seasons and still going strong.
S-Works are probably the only shoes that can compare with Sidis.I'm a Sidi man, but I've been eyeing those new Ares so hard, I might have to pay the bride price.
I'm just thinking about this yesterday then here you come up with this video. Thank you VC keep it up much love from philippines 💪
Pinoy cyclists!👋
This sport it's so expensive 😣
You should try getting into car racing, then you will appreciate bicycling as a sport.
Drugs are more expensive. Stick with biking lollll! 🤘
Bought the Giro knits in black...super comfortable! Thanks for the recommendation!
Been riding the knit ones for a couple of months. Love them!!
This channel is TIGHT!!!
It's amazing to me that people cheap out on shoes. Like you said it's a big part of how you're connected to the bike. IMO having comfortable shoes is a HUGE priority...which is why my shoes currently are so old. I've been looking for new ones but haven't found the right shoe yet. Giro lace ups are interested though...too bad my shop doesn't carry them. I'd hate to go to the shop that carries Giro and then buy from CC though. Love CC and shop there a bit but to me shoes is something I'm trying on before I buy.
Thank you for this! Having finally bought my first road bike in more years than i care to mention....i may need some new shoes :-)
Wish you spoke more about the sole stiffness of the shoes and like breathability instead of just comfort. Otherwise great vid love the music and your humor as always tho. I have Pearl Izumi's with a "stiffness index 13" whatever that means
Andrew Steavpack if I remember correctly the ACC and prolights use an Easton ec90 sole while the knit shoes use an ec70 sole, negligible difference for anyone who isn’t in the world tour but still a difference
because it doesn't matter, stiffness, price etc. if the shoe don't fit and it is not comfortable
Yeah I mean in the end stiffness really doesn't matter unless you're putting out really high power. Brands slapping a number on the sole to represent the relative stiffness is a great marketing ploy for somewhat irrelevant numbers since they don't have a corresponding unit
Andrew Steavpack all I know is that I’ve tried Shimano rp5 shoes, fizik r1b shoes, and giro vr90s and all I can say is that I can definitely tell the difference between the two road shoes (drastic difference), however when you get to $200 shoes (empire e70, torch 3.0, sentrie techlace) the differences are negligible between the $200 shoes and anything above. I just use the r1b’s and vr90s because they were half off and look really good
Good point about the stiffness index, I really wish specialized (and other brands) would release testing results, I doubt the shoes really help much over $200
I love that you used that song. Such a throwback to early internet.
Can you update us on the durability of the Giro Empire E70 Knit....curious how the knit holds up after a few months of riding them. thanks!
Perhaps some info on the shoes, such as stiffness and sole construction. Do they have any replacement pars for them such as parts that come into contact with the ground when walking
As a Sidi fan I tried Giro and became a believer. Got a Boa dial model super cheap on eBay, smells not included
Should of touched on the stiffness as well for the price of each shoe. But, really good breakdown!
sub 100 by one penny is the Fizik R5 Powerstrap. Blew me strait out of the water. fit and feel is amazing and the price is right. Great breakdown though, for what ever reason the cheapest shoe in a line up seems to be the best bang for buck, I've worn "high end" shoes just to be disappointed due to comfort. I'd much rather race 100miles being 100g heavier than 100miles and being 100g lighter and in pain.
Goin' back to good ol' Bike Fit James' advice - the shoe's gotta fit!! I used to rock some giro republics (regular spd style, not road) and they were so friggin comfy. moved to spesh experts (for that road cleat and carbon sole) and whilst they're still super comfy, they're definitely longer for the same size. not tried giro road shoesies yet, but spesh has spoiled me with that nice boa dial and i don't wanna go back to lace xD
I use the $$ for racing and a cheaper and comfortable pair for training and chilling. Your grey Giros looks legit though, might have to check those out.
I really like all of my Giro shoes. I agree with all of this vid. I haven't triedvthecreal high end ones. Now point in it at my level. I like the Empire shoe a lot, the laces are really ok, but I prefer some Giro shoes that were cheaper, called Sotto Boa, with a boa and a nylon sole. As light as the Empire. I've had my eyes on the knit ones especially in the Gulf Coast climate.
I've had two pairs of S-Works and never had to break them in or any issues what so ever. That said shoes are very different across brands and models thus making what's right for me not necessarily what's right for you. The most important thing is to find a pair that fit properly! some brands come up wider than others and you also find cleat positioning is different between brands. I love S-Works because they work well on a narrow foot and allow you to get the cleats quite far back.
Do you guys have access to Decathlon in the states? Ive got their top of the range carbon soled shoes with wire ratches for only £75 ($100). Seem amazing value to me, way stiffer and better fitting than my previous simanos. Apparently used by a few world tour teams as well.
Just picked up the knit for $50 on closeout at my local shop. Picked up the $400 techlace for $87 as well. What a time for this video to come out
My wife wants to try the E70 Knit shoes, thanks for the recommendation.
Loving my Mavic Cosmic elite shoes here, got them halfprice from some guy who had worn them twice. Bargain and super comfortable
The Empire VR series, and Giro similar, are second to none...
You need to train heavy to get your feet stronger and be ready to go light whenever you hit the race. Just be sure to keep your feet cool.
Quality insight, keep killing the videos man 🤙🏼
Dude I'm in the market for some new cycling shoes. Thanks for the review. Btw I love GIRO brand.
They gave me a new code vegancycle15 if you were looking at anything on Competitive cyclist
Hey Tyler, do you have any experience with Giro's "sister shoe" to the $200 model you love, designated as the "Republic R Knit"? This is essentially the same upper, but the sole is a nylon/rubber blend, designed to accommodate 2-hole cleats, and it sells for $150. I use SPDs across the board, so this looked like a great alternative.
I haven't ran that shoe so I'm not familiar. But if its anything like the giro knit, your gonna be stoked.
@@TheVCAdventures Thanks, dude! I plan to try these if I can find them in my LBS this weekend, and will purchase for sure if the fit is correct.
I’ve got the Giro Empire ACC’s (those black/white ones except mine are the Blue steel color way) and I absolutely love them. Love the lace system more so than than the boa system or Velcro. I got them for a solid deal also, more than 60% off! They come with a band on the tongue so you can tuck the ends of the laces underneath so they won’t get caught on anything. They also have customizable arch support for the insole. You can take out the insole, And on the bottom of it is padding on a Velcro patch that you can swap out with one of 3 sizes that come with the shoe for a better more personalized fit to your liking. They’re great shoes and they form to your exact foot shape when you break ‘em in.
P.s. I say tight and sick all the time 🤷🏻♂️ California slang, Man haha!
What about racing in laced shoes? I like the idea of the comfort, that you were so amazed about but the shoe is useless if I can't put in big watt pushing and pulling without having to relace them... Cheers
Vincent Böck For the lace up shoes, When doing huge watt sprints and efforts, Anywhere from 800w and above, The shoes become noticeably loose on the foot. Not to any extreme extent, But you can feel a difference in tightness from pre-sprint to post-sprint.
@@warwingsenthusiast5672 thanks man. I think I'll buy them today.
Vincent Böck Look at JensonUSA.com
They’ve got the Giro Empire ACC’s (The second shoes in this video, The black/white laced ones) for more than 50% off! Original retail over 200$ but on Jenson they’re only 108$! I got them but In the blue and black color way and I honestly love them so much. They come with customizable arch support which is you can take out the insole, And customize it with one of 3 pads they provide to better the fit to your preference. Just remove the arch pad from the Velcro and swap it with one of the 3. They also come with elastic bands on the tongue for you to tuck the ends of the laces in after you’ve tied them to ensure they won’t be caught in anything. The knots stay tied which is amazing, But they do become slightly loose (very small amount) after big efforts like I was talking about. The carbon sole is very stiff and overall, These shoes stand out from the crowd and feel even better. They have the black and white color way on discount for 108$ as well as the blue and black.
Love those knit shoes. I'm looking for some new ones and here's your video. Vegan15 for the people! Thanks
I paid 100 for my gyro spd mtb style shoe ( roadie but I like to walk in stores like a normy) 2 years ago and still clip in like a champ. 185lbs and 1300w later I've yet to unclip in a sprint
Ok dude ! ( Only because you say it all the time) What about s Sole stiffness power transfer, Arch support? I don't do competitive cycling, but I love the Mavic off road ones and my Louis Garneau road bike ones, both under $100 (on sale) . Allways by your shoes at the end of the season when you need new shoes and everything is on sale.
And what about the advice which I took to heart that off road ones are more comfortable and easier to walk in. Which make them better for training and all around daily use?
So many brands out there and styles love to see a poll by your subscribers what they are wearing for : leisure, training, and racing.
Ps. Don't buy on line. Support employment in your community and your local bike shop.
VC lives in Hollywood so he can afford to spend that kind of money. My monthly costs are as follows housing per month 150 USD, food 60 USD, , Kms ridden in 2019 -
6,322.3, cost of shoes 40 USD. So VC you can ride 100 miles in sub 100 USD shoes.
Hey, just a quick consideration. How much do those overshoes weigh that you put over your expensive shoes? 150grams or more???????
Erwin Wieringa velotoze are just a thin rubber/latex layer... probably weigh 100g at most
i was so lucky to get diadora vortex II pros for only $100 at the Toronto Bike show. I go back every year yearning for another steal like that, I have not clue how I managed to get them or how they were priced so cheap to begin with. Blue shoes for a mostly black and red bike but can't complain
Just tried to use the promo code. Didn't work. Reached out to Competitive Cyclist and they said "we have been getting that issue a lot the last few days". They said can apply it on their end but couldn't do it via regular shopping cart. Hassle.
Specialized Torch 3s all day. Half the price of the S-works, much more comfortable, and just a little less stiff. Weight is probably not too far off either.
Hard to beat shimano shoes for comfort, performance and price...$400 cycling shoes are for posers...
That competitive cyclist shop is pretty dope. Good selection
Are those 100% leather free?
GREAT review/info!!
The best shoe ever is the Shimano SH-RP1. 60 Bucks, only weighs 510g, and they even look nice
They weig 510 without cleats ! Other shoes way below 500 without cleats but 600+ with .... besides that Shimano SH1 are very comfortable but not stiff shoe. Basically in all of performance gear you want as much stiffness as possible.
Tyler Graduated High School between 2006-2009, the "Tight" was a dead give away.
Looks like the heel lug on the right Prolight fell off...such a common issue since they are glued, not bolted on.
Would be nice to know what you think about other shoes like Lake, Gaerne, DMT, Northwave
Best (Giro) cycling shoe for the money.
ftfy
Easier to compare within brands
@@487porkchop true, but I find its best to find the brand that best suits your foot shape and then select your preferred model. All Shimano shoes fit me kinda fine for instance, but slightly too much room around the front part of my foot. Sidi is almost always too wide. That type of stuff is really important I think
Dude yes. Giros run so dang narrow, there are a lot of people that can't wear them.
Those army green and orange is so Dope. I'm getting those! I'll use your code for support.
On this episode of Worth It, we are going to try 3 different pairs at 3 different price points and are gonna decide which is the best at its given price point!
Why you dont use the boa closure on your shoes?
Currently looking at getting these but concerned they might be too narrow. Does the knit stretch at all?
I love spd shimano 👞 for more than 2 year and work perfect for my nothing wrong and for less than 100 dollars💕💕💕
I have the 200$ shoes, they are suuuuuuper comfortable! I bought them because they matched my bike 🤷♀️, but they ended up being a great choice!
Competitive Cyclist is a good company. Lots of triathlon stuff too.
what are you talking about secure your feet to the pedals with the power of flex tape
I'm running some really sweet bontrager's brand new cost me 70 bucks on eBay . Fit is so perfect it's like they used my foot to make them.
I know this is not your fault but either the promo code is not working or it does not apply to a pair of shoes you reviewed in this video.
i have $100 Scott with BOA; they have same fit/shape as Look; and do the job great. they have good toe clearance so no toe crushing / numb toes/feet. if you ride in the cold however, shoe covers might be a good idea, as they vent pretty well. *the cheaper Scott shoes have a better fit/design ive found.
Hey Bro, i bought the ACC recently but the size came up a bit small. Does the shoes stretch over time when using it? Thanks!
specialized insoles in the techlace shoes but not in the others?
Yeah the cheap ones look awesome enough. Because remember price doesn't equal comfort. I have a pair of Fancy Pants Bontrager cycling shoes and I wore them twice and then I put them back in my closet because they weren't comfortable and I went back to my $120 pair of cycling shoes.(on sale) and I'm done a couple of 200to 300 kilometer bicycle rides in them the brand is called diadora and the weight is 552 grams with the clip in them. (552 grams per shoe) LOL so not the lightest shoe but they're pretty comfortable
How are these for wide feet? Usually Giro shoes are pretty narrow.
Light, stiff, tight pair of shoes feels better than any other upgrade
so then try to switch some 2.5 kilos alu wheels with som ENVEs or Zipp´s 404 NSW
Always here to support Vegan cyclist!
Does cycling increase muscle size?
My biggest concern is that these laces based shoes unlace themselves and get stuck in the bike which might end up pretty badly
The code doesn't work anymore. I tried to buy the knit giro shoes and got denied... bummer
If you call them, they will honor it usually. The code works, just not for giro.
@@TheVCAdventures thank you. Bummer, because I went to the site to buy the giro shoes specifically
laces are cool until they get caught in some part of the crank!
Giro are super narrow compared to s works don't you find?
Alexander Voake The Giro Empire ACC’s come with a band on the tongue of the shoe with a Giro logo on it for that exact purpose. For you to tuck the ends of the laces underneath so they don’t get caught on anything. I have those ones he featured in this video and have ridden them a couple hundred miles now and haven’t once had the laces come out from under the band and get caught in anything. They’re an insanely comfortable shoe but they do run small. Normally, I wear a size 43, I originally got the Giro’s in a size 43.5 and they fit SMALL AF! Had to take them back and go up a full size to 44.5 and they fit absolutely perfect now and are an amazing shoe! He left a lot of key details for these shoes. They have personalized arch support on insole. You take the insole out, And there’s arch padding that’s on Velcro that you can swap out for one of three options that come with the shoe to customize and better the fit to your own liking. They’re a really great shoe.
I have GIRO Factor Techlace, nice in between model with BOA and velcro laced. LOVE them they are TIGHT BRO ;-)
I've got two pairs of cheap Shimano shoes, they're amazingly comfortable but they are heavy.