I believe that my foot comfort is the most important aspect of riding. I too have made many mistakes thinking that this was actually normal in cycling and that I simply had to endure all of this suffering. But after many years you find that you get closer and closer to reality in the world of cycling shoes. Sure they are expensive, but if you are taking riding seriously I strongly suggest the very best for your feet, it's a game changer for sure!!
They looked into the ordinary feet of their actual customers (and not just the pros) and determined that most people needed a wider fitting shoe. Oh really, what a shocking revelation. They could have pulled 100 random people off the street and figured that out. Anyway a good step forward.
I have ..S works torch size 41. The toe box is very much more comfortable in the the Torch vs the series 6. Don’t have enough miles to speak to performance.
I respect and appreciate bike journalists and hate what Specailized does to them. They turn them into spokesmen and eventually push overpriced and over promising products. Personally, I am not falling into this marketing trap and would wish that journalists do the same.
I heard the opinion that due to the less prominent heel cup it performs much worse when it comes to holding the heel at strong accelerations (worse than the Pid Lock found in S-works 6 and 7). Is it really so?
Good review. The Varus wedge system on all specialized shoes is so poor. It’s trying to correct a mistake that’s not there. More often than not any decent /top independent bike fitter will need to try and correct the Specialized correction !! It’s the reason many potential customers head instead for Lake shoes. Will be interesting to hear that Lake review coming up. Inserts are the key for all cycling shoes so these specialized ones are a lot of money when you need to add correct inserts to the basic version supplied. Good looking shoe mind you.
As an orthopaedic surgeon I can understand and explain their reasoning for this. We from hip to ankle present about 6o of valgus in our lower members, usually measured at the knee. Their idea is putting a varus component in the ankle so your alignment from hip to ankle would be zero: and theoretically using force from hip to ankle in a straight line, instead of a crossing one would make you more efficient. But to me personally, in most cases a correct positioned cleat is the best thing you could do for your comfort and performance. Cheers from Brazil!
Specialized shoes.. the varus sole, for me has been game changing. i don't need any insole wedges, just the stock shoes and my knees are so much happier, things track in the pedal stroke more smoothly.. Might not be the case for most but it's great for me.
I’m not someone who’s afraid to spend more than I should on my cycling stuff and really into the looks/new fit…but there’s not a chance I’m spending that on shoes. The cycling industry has lost it atm.
They really are amazing. So much better than the SW7, I’m shocked. Did Specialized purposely dumb down the SW7, knowing these were coming a year later?
Why? I went from Gaerne Chrono Carbon shoes (a bloody good shoe) to S Works 7s last year and they proved to be an absolute revelation. I imagine these are brilliant too. If price isn't an issue and you cycle at a certain level this shoe would be the business, but you'd have to be in the know
I believe that my foot comfort is the most important aspect of riding. I too have made many mistakes thinking that this was actually normal in cycling and that I simply had to endure all of this suffering. But after many years you find that you get closer and closer to reality in the world of cycling shoes.
Sure they are expensive, but if you are taking riding seriously I strongly suggest the very best for your feet, it's a game changer for sure!!
Excited for the review on the Lake shoes!!!
They looked into the ordinary feet of their actual customers (and not just the pros) and determined that most people needed a wider fitting shoe. Oh really, what a shocking revelation. They could have pulled 100 random people off the street and figured that out.
Anyway a good step forward.
I have ..S works torch size 41. The toe box is very much more comfortable in the the Torch vs the series 6. Don’t have enough miles to speak to performance.
Great product. Works well.
I respect and appreciate bike journalists and hate what Specailized does to them. They turn them into spokesmen and eventually push overpriced and over promising products. Personally, I am not falling into this marketing trap and would wish that journalists do the same.
Anybody changed Shimano RC5/7 to S Torch? Sizing comparison?
I heard the opinion that due to the less prominent heel cup it performs much worse when it comes to holding the heel at strong accelerations (worse than the Pid Lock found in S-works 6 and 7). Is it really so?
still putting them through their paces but look out for a full review on road.cc soon!
Good review. The Varus wedge system on all specialized shoes is so poor. It’s trying to correct a mistake that’s not there. More often than not any decent /top independent bike fitter will need to try and correct the Specialized correction !! It’s the reason many potential customers head instead for Lake shoes. Will be interesting to hear that Lake review coming up. Inserts are the key for all cycling shoes so these specialized ones are a lot of money when you need to add correct inserts to the basic version supplied. Good looking shoe mind you.
As an orthopaedic surgeon I can understand and explain their reasoning for this. We from hip to ankle present about 6o of valgus in our lower members, usually measured at the knee. Their idea is putting a varus component in the ankle so your alignment from hip to ankle would be zero: and theoretically using force from hip to ankle in a straight line, instead of a crossing one would make you more efficient. But to me personally, in most cases a correct positioned cleat is the best thing you could do for your comfort and performance. Cheers from Brazil!
Thanks for your qualified input :)
Specialized shoes.. the varus sole, for me has been game changing. i don't need any insole wedges, just the stock shoes and my knees are so much happier, things track in the pedal stroke more smoothly.. Might not be the case for most but it's great for me.
This looks great and promising. But $450 is a wallet drainer. Excited for the new sole and surprisingly that Dyneema didn’t work out.
Any comparison between the Torch 3.0 and the Sworks?
Really want these but can’t get my hands on any. Wah.
Im 5 ft tall will i fit this bike?
They are lovely
I’m not someone who’s afraid to spend more than I should on my cycling stuff and really into the looks/new fit…but there’s not a chance I’m spending that on shoes. The cycling industry has lost it atm.
They really are amazing. So much better than the SW7, I’m shocked. Did Specialized purposely dumb down the SW7, knowing these were coming a year later?
The li2 boa dial is better.
Took them long enough to realize some people need wide soles.
It does not look good at all. And the closure strips carry over from the previous s works line
"Look really easy to keep clean" LOL dude, they're white sports shoes.
P
looks like they copied bont
For absolute mugs
Why? I went from Gaerne Chrono Carbon shoes (a bloody good shoe) to S Works 7s last year and they proved to be an absolute revelation. I imagine these are brilliant too. If price isn't an issue and you cycle at a certain level this shoe would be the business, but you'd have to be in the know