Sidi Road Shoes

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by EastCoast
I'm looking to purchase either the Sidi Genius 4 "Lorica" or "Mesh".

Does anyone prefer one over the other?

Also, I'm amazed that all the major e-retailers and retailers are selling these shoes at suggested retail prices!

What gives?

Depends on the weather you ride in. The mesh lets the wind straight through, so its cooler in hot climates. The lorica is for cooler climates where you don't want air-conditioning for your feet.

I ride mesh Sidi Shadows, and use toe covers in winter. IMHO the mesh is better if your summers are hot (25 degrees C +)

HTH

SIDI's are great shoes. However, try them on first. They have a poor ratcheting strap adjustment system. Make sure you get a pair that holds the strap securely after adjustments on the inside. Take the strap off and look at the retainer on the inside of the shoe. The teeth on the retainer should not be deformed in any way...otherwise your strap will pop off and loosen during hard pedaling. The problem is that the retainer is "hollow" on the inside and is prone to being pushed in when the ratchet strap is tightened down. If the retainer gets pushed in there will not be good contact between the teeth on the strap and the retainer. I have a pair that would pop out during hard spinning at the strap adjustment area on the inside of the shoe. Ratchet side (outside of shoe) is fine. Had to stick a piece of cardboard under the retainer on the inside of the shoe for better teeth contact...however it still pops out from time to time.

Quoted post said:

They have a poor ratcheting strap adjustment system.

I have 2 pairs of SIDIs - an 8 year old pair of Techno MTB shoes, and 2 year old Shadow road shoes, and I've never had a moments hassle with the ratchets, not even after crash damage.

A great thing about SIDI shoes though is that you can get replacement spares for all of the buckles, clips, ratchets, heel pads, etc, so if anything does get buggered its easily replaceable.

The SIDI's I am talking about are the Genius 4's. Not all SIDI's have the ADJUSTABLE ratchet strap. Adjustable ratchet strap can be lengthened or shortend from the INSIDE of the shoe to ensure it is centered over your foot...THEN you use your ratchet to tighten your shoe on the OUTSIDE. Don't confuse ratchet strap and buckle with what I am talking about. Your shoes do not have this feature.

A few years ago I crashed not long after the start of a race and the ratchet came off. The next 85km was interesting to say the least.

FYI - the two pair of shoes i've had since haven't had that stupid ratchet system 😄

cheers

Quoted post said:

Don't confuse ratchet strap and buckle with what I am talking about. Your shoes do not have this feature.

Sounds like a good thing too 🙂

I purchased the Sidi Genius 4 "Mega Lorica" today and after a day of riding, my feet feel great!

My first Sidi purchase and very happy! 🙂