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Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, ... Read more

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, yet too much is, simply, too much. Pro gear is typically flashy, both as an advertisement for the producer as well as the rider. If it errs on the side of excess, that's ok, as it just makes the product even more noteworthy. The Factor is Giro's flashiest road shoe and the second one in the lineup. It's one that might even be preferred over the Prolight SLX. It's hard not to notice the red-and-white model. We don't know if it's the pinstripes or the striking contrast between the high-gloss Red and high-gloss White, but this is a color scheme that puts Sidi on notice. If you made it to the technical details, you'll see that it has a buckle at the top of the shoe rather than the Velcro strap of the Prolight SLX. We'll admit, we're like most folks, and we love the control and security of buckle systems.After the buckle, there are more subtle differences between the Prolight and this. The Factor Shoes use the slightly heavier Easton EC90 carbon-fiber sole. Though it's not quite as light as the EC90SLX sole of the Prolight, it's equally thin at 6.5mm. Overall, the shoe is still pretty feathery at a claimed 255g for a size 42. The upper is slightly-thicker Teijin microfiber, 1.4mm thick, with an equally rich finish. It's not leather, but it feels really plush in the hand and looks great. The threaded inserts and buckles are steel.Otherwise, the design of the shoe is largely the same as the Prolight. Very few panels, smooth interior, padded and vented tongue with a notch for your tendons. Giro went through 16 different lasts before arriving on a shape that they felt would be optimum for fitting most folk's feet. They decided when they plunged into shoe design that getting the last right was their first task, as once the last is created, the cobbler is pretty much stuck with that shape forever; it's the last.Part of this fastidiousness is seen in the placement of the top strap. Minimize

Northwave didnAAAt pull any punches with the design of the ... Read more

Northwave didnAAAt pull any punches with the design of the Extreme Tech Cycling Shoe, and itAAAs immediately apparent. One glance at the Extreme Tech, and youAAAll realize that this shoe is something special. Now pick it up. Yup, thatAAAs what 198 grams feels likeAAAitAAAs the lightest shoe on the market. Northwave built the upper from a single shell of ultralight microfiber to eliminate stitching for the lightest possible weight, the best fit and feel, and virtually no hot spots or chafing. The ventilated carbon fiber soleplate is incredibly thin and boasts a weight of just 60 grams while remaining ultra-stiff for instant power transfer. Extreme Tech shoes are compatible with all the top pedals on the market and, thanks to NorthwaveAAAs innovative low-profile adapter, can even be used with Speedplays.Northwave used BioMap (Biomechanical Mapping) analysis to design the Extreme Tech Cycling Shoe. Athletes are tested extensively to help Northwave design products that work in perfect synergy with the bodyAAAs systems. This testing ensures optimal fit, comfort, and performance. Biomap testing contributes to every design aspect of the shoes, including cut design and material selection. What all this translates to are shoes that work with your body to optimize performance.The S.B.S. (Step By Step) ratcheting system provides stable closure that wonAAAt come undone or loosen while you ride. It allows you to dial in a precise fit so you can maximize pedaling efficiency without having to deal with hot spots and blisters. Extreme Tech shoes also incorporate NorthwaveAAAs proprietary Speed Lace Winch System, which allows you to adjust the fit of your shoe while youAAAre on the bike so you can easily accommodate any swelling that might occur on longer rides. The carbon fiber soleplate is much lighter than other, less costly sole materials. It also allows Northwave to reduce sole thickness for direct power transfer from your foot to the pedal. Minimize

Northwave didnAAAt pull any punches with the design of the ... Read more

Northwave didnAAAt pull any punches with the design of the Extreme Tech Cycling Shoe, and itAAAs immediately apparent. One glance at the Extreme Tech, and youAAAll realize that this shoe is something special. Now pick it up. Yup, thatAAAs what 198 grams feels likeAAAitAAAs the lightest shoe on the market. Northwave built the upper from a single shell of ultralight microfiber to eliminate stitching for the lightest possible weight, the best fit and feel, and virtually no hot spots or chafing. The ventilated carbon fiber soleplate is incredibly thin and boasts a weight of just 60 grams while remaining ultra-stiff for instant power transfer. Extreme Tech shoes are compatible with all the top pedals on the market and, thanks to NorthwaveAAAs innovative low-profile adapter, can even be used with Speedplays.Northwave used BioMap (Biomechanical Mapping) analysis to design the Extreme Tech Cycling Shoe. Athletes are tested extensively to help Northwave design products that work in perfect synergy with the bodyAAAs systems. This testing ensures optimal fit, comfort, and performance. Biomap testing contributes to every design aspect of the shoes, including cut design and material selection. What all this translates to are shoes that work with your body to optimize performance.The S.B.S. (Step By Step) ratcheting system provides stable closure that wonAAAt come undone or loosen while you ride. It allows you to dial in a precise fit so you can maximize pedaling efficiency without having to deal with hot spots and blisters. Extreme Tech shoes also incorporate NorthwaveAAAs proprietary Speed Lace Winch System, which allows you to adjust the fit of your shoe while youAAAre on the bike so you can easily accommodate any swelling that might occur on longer rides. The carbon fiber soleplate is much lighter than other, less costly sole materials. It also allows Northwave to reduce sole thickness for direct power transfer from your foot to the pedal. Minimize

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, ... Read more

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, yet too much is, simply, too much. Pro gear is typically flashy, both as an advertisement for the producer as well as the rider. If it errs on the side of excess, that's ok, as it just makes the product even more noteworthy. The Factor is Giro's flashiest road shoe and the second one in the lineup. It's one that might even be preferred over the Prolight SLX. It's hard not to notice the red-and-white model. We don't know if it's the pinstripes or the striking contrast between the high-gloss Red and high-gloss White, but this is a color scheme that puts Sidi on notice. If you made it to the technical details, you'll see that it has a buckle at the top of the shoe rather than the Velcro strap of the Prolight SLX. We'll admit, we're like most folks, and we love the control and security of buckle systems.After the buckle, there are more subtle differences between the Prolight and this. The Factor Shoes use the slightly heavier Easton EC90 carbon-fiber sole. Though it's not quite as light as the EC90SLX sole of the Prolight, it's equally thin at 6.5mm. Overall, the shoe is still pretty feathery at a claimed 255g for a size 42. The upper is slightly-thicker Teijin microfiber, 1.4mm thick, with an equally rich finish. It's not leather, but it feels really plush in the hand and looks great. The threaded inserts and buckles are steel.Otherwise, the design of the shoe is largely the same as the Prolight. Very few panels, smooth interior, padded and vented tongue with a notch for your tendons. Giro went through 16 different lasts before arriving on a shape that they felt would be optimum for fitting most folk's feet. They decided when they plunged into shoe design that getting the last right was their first task, as once the last is created, the cobbler is pretty much stuck with that shape forever; it's the last.Part of this fastidiousness is seen in the placement of the top strap. Minimize

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, ... Read more

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, yet too much is, simply, too much. Pro gear is typically flashy, both as an advertisement for the producer as well as the rider. If it errs on the side of excess, that's ok, as it just makes the product even more noteworthy. The Factor is Giro's flashiest road shoe and the second one in the lineup. It's one that might even be preferred over the Prolight SLX. It's hard not to notice the red-and-white model. We don't know if it's the pinstripes or the striking contrast between the high-gloss Red and high-gloss White, but this is a color scheme that puts Sidi on notice. If you made it to the technical details, you'll see that it has a buckle at the top of the shoe rather than the Velcro strap of the Prolight SLX. We'll admit, we're like most folks, and we love the control and security of buckle systems.After the buckle, there are more subtle differences between the Prolight and this. The Factor Shoes use the slightly heavier Easton EC90 carbon-fiber sole. Though it's not quite as light as the EC90SLX sole of the Prolight, it's equally thin at 6.5mm. Overall, the shoe is still pretty feathery at a claimed 255g for a size 42. The upper is slightly-thicker Teijin microfiber, 1.4mm thick, with an equally rich finish. It's not leather, but it feels really plush in the hand and looks great. The threaded inserts and buckles are steel.Otherwise, the design of the shoe is largely the same as the Prolight. Very few panels, smooth interior, padded and vented tongue with a notch for your tendons. Giro went through 16 different lasts before arriving on a shape that they felt would be optimum for fitting most folk's feet. They decided when they plunged into shoe design that getting the last right was their first task, as once the last is created, the cobbler is pretty much stuck with that shape forever; it's the last.Part of this fastidiousness is seen in the placement of the top strap. Minimize

With one quick look at the Giro Prolight SLX Shoes, you'll ... Read more

With one quick look at the Giro Prolight SLX Shoes, you'll know something is different. There are no mechanical closures, a rarity among pro-level shoes. This is in response to the needs of their marquee rider, Levi Leipheimer. Being meticulous about his gear, he wanted Velcro closures rather than a buckle so he could be confident that the shoes would survive a crash; buckles can break and having one go in a Grand Tour is a lousy way to lose a race you prepared all year for.Velcro, great. Simple, adjustable, conforms well to the foot, hard to break: everyone can get into that. But Giro didn't just drape three straps across the top of the shoe. They designed each strap to do something a bit different, so each is angled slightly differently. The top strap holds the heel into the cup, the middle strap goes across the metatarsals to anchor your foot in the shoe, and the bottom strap takes up any loose space in the forefoot. If you take a close look at the medial side of the shoe, you'll see that each strap is fixed on large swaths of material, meaning that you're pulling the entire upper over your foot, rather than creating pressure points under each strap. Another subtle but striking feature is the way the toe box is constructed. One-piece toes look great, but the smooth look often comes at the price of limited adjustability. On the Prolight, the toe area looks conventional, but it allows for a wide range of adjustment on that bottom strap and eliminates the dreaded pucker, even if you have a narrow forefoot.And, because every gram counts when you're climbing 15,000 feet a day, several days in a row, Leipheimer also wanted the lightest possible shoe without losing either stiffness or security. This Easton EC90SLX is the lightest and stiffest sole Giro uses in their shoes. Easton and Giro are divisions of the same company and Giro leaned on Easton engineers here. The result is a super-stiff sole that's only 6. Minimize

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, ... Read more

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, yet too much is, simply, too much. Pro gear is typically flashy, both as an advertisement for the producer as well as the rider. If it errs on the side of excess, that's ok, as it just makes the product even more noteworthy. The Factor is Giro's flashiest road shoe and the second one in the lineup. It's one that might even be preferred over the Prolight SLX. It's hard not to notice the red-and-white model. We don't know if it's the pinstripes or the striking contrast between the high-gloss Red and high-gloss White, but this is a color scheme that puts Sidi on notice. If you made it to the technical details, you'll see that it has a buckle at the top of the shoe rather than the Velcro strap of the Prolight SLX. We'll admit, we're like most folks, and we love the control and security of buckle systems.After the buckle, there are more subtle differences between the Prolight and this. The Factor Shoes use the slightly heavier Easton EC90 carbon-fiber sole. Though it's not quite as light as the EC90SLX sole of the Prolight, it's equally thin at 6.5mm. Overall, the shoe is still pretty feathery at a claimed 255g for a size 42. The upper is slightly-thicker Teijin microfiber, 1.4mm thick, with an equally rich finish. It's not leather, but it feels really plush in the hand and looks great. The threaded inserts and buckles are steel.Otherwise, the design of the shoe is largely the same as the Prolight. Very few panels, smooth interior, padded and vented tongue with a notch for your tendons. Giro went through 16 different lasts before arriving on a shape that they felt would be optimum for fitting most folk's feet. They decided when they plunged into shoe design that getting the last right was their first task, as once the last is created, the cobbler is pretty much stuck with that shape forever; it's the last.Part of this fastidiousness is seen in the placement of the top strap. Minimize

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, ... Read more

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, yet too much is, simply, too much. Pro gear is typically flashy, both as an advertisement for the producer as well as the rider. If it errs on the side of excess, that's ok, as it just makes the product even more noteworthy. The Factor is Giro's flashiest road shoe and the second one in the lineup. It's one that might even be preferred over the Prolight SLX. It's hard not to notice the red-and-white model. We don't know if it's the pinstripes or the striking contrast between the high-gloss Red and high-gloss White, but this is a color scheme that puts Sidi on notice. If you made it to the technical details, you'll see that it has a buckle at the top of the shoe rather than the Velcro strap of the Prolight SLX. We'll admit, we're like most folks, and we love the control and security of buckle systems.After the buckle, there are more subtle differences between the Prolight and this. The Factor Shoes use the slightly heavier Easton EC90 carbon-fiber sole. Though it's not quite as light as the EC90SLX sole of the Prolight, it's equally thin at 6.5mm. Overall, the shoe is still pretty feathery at a claimed 255g for a size 42. The upper is slightly-thicker Teijin microfiber, 1.4mm thick, with an equally rich finish. It's not leather, but it feels really plush in the hand and looks great. The threaded inserts and buckles are steel.Otherwise, the design of the shoe is largely the same as the Prolight. Very few panels, smooth interior, padded and vented tongue with a notch for your tendons. Giro went through 16 different lasts before arriving on a shape that they felt would be optimum for fitting most folk's feet. They decided when they plunged into shoe design that getting the last right was their first task, as once the last is created, the cobbler is pretty much stuck with that shape forever; it's the last.Part of this fastidiousness is seen in the placement of the top strap. Minimize

Castelli made their Lycra Shoe Covers for those cool weathe ... Read more

Castelli made their Lycra Shoe Covers for those cool weather race days when shaving seconds is as imperative as keeping the temperature of your feet carefully regulated, though neither are mutually exclusive of the other. Their lightweight construction urges you to wear them whenever you desire to achieve a maximum performance or aesthetic effect.The Lycra Shoe Covers are of course, made of Affinity Lycra, which is a super-lightweight and highly elasticized blend of nylon and spandex that sits flush against your shoes, but isn't an absolute bear to get on or off. Affinity even serves as a basic insulatory measure on those cooler morning rides, and is breathable enough to ensure you won't have to stop to remove the covers when the sun finally warms the roads. However, we still wouldn't recommend these covers for long winter training days AAA they're just not quite thick enough for that. Castelli recommends using them within mild or warm conditions with temperatures ranging from 14 degrees Celsius (57 degrees Fahrenheit) to 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit). The presence of a camlock zipper at the rear of the Shoe Cover means youAAAll never be struggling into or out of this bootie. The Castelli Lycra Shoe Cover comes in your choice of Black, Red, or White to best match your favorite kit. Sizes are available from Small to XX-Large, so you're certain to find the right match for your shoes. Minimize

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, ... Read more

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, yet too much is, simply, too much. Pro gear is typically flashy, both as an advertisement for the producer as well as the rider. If it errs on the side of excess, that's ok, as it just makes the product even more noteworthy. The Factor is Giro's flashiest road shoe and the second one in the lineup. It's one that might even be preferred over the Prolight SLX. It's hard not to notice the red-and-white model. We don't know if it's the pinstripes or the striking contrast between the high-gloss Red and high-gloss White, but this is a color scheme that puts Sidi on notice. If you made it to the technical details, you'll see that it has a buckle at the top of the shoe rather than the Velcro strap of the Prolight SLX. We'll admit, we're like most folks, and we love the control and security of buckle systems.After the buckle, there are more subtle differences between the Prolight and this. The Factor Shoes use the slightly heavier Easton EC90 carbon-fiber sole. Though it's not quite as light as the EC90SLX sole of the Prolight, it's equally thin at 6.5mm. Overall, the shoe is still pretty feathery at a claimed 255g for a size 42. The upper is slightly-thicker Teijin microfiber, 1.4mm thick, with an equally rich finish. It's not leather, but it feels really plush in the hand and looks great. The threaded inserts and buckles are steel.Otherwise, the design of the shoe is largely the same as the Prolight. Very few panels, smooth interior, padded and vented tongue with a notch for your tendons. Giro went through 16 different lasts before arriving on a shape that they felt would be optimum for fitting most folk's feet. They decided when they plunged into shoe design that getting the last right was their first task, as once the last is created, the cobbler is pretty much stuck with that shape forever; it's the last.Part of this fastidiousness is seen in the placement of the top strap. Minimize

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, ... Read more

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, yet too much is, simply, too much. Pro gear is typically flashy, both as an advertisement for the producer as well as the rider. If it errs on the side of excess, that's ok, as it just makes the product even more noteworthy. The Factor is Giro's flashiest road shoe and the second one in the lineup. It's one that might even be preferred over the Prolight SLX. It's hard not to notice the red-and-white model. We don't know if it's the pinstripes or the striking contrast between the high-gloss Red and high-gloss White, but this is a color scheme that puts Sidi on notice. If you made it to the technical details, you'll see that it has a buckle at the top of the shoe rather than the Velcro strap of the Prolight SLX. We'll admit, we're like most folks, and we love the control and security of buckle systems.After the buckle, there are more subtle differences between the Prolight and this. The Factor Shoes use the slightly heavier Easton EC90 carbon-fiber sole. Though it's not quite as light as the EC90SLX sole of the Prolight, it's equally thin at 6.5mm. Overall, the shoe is still pretty feathery at a claimed 255g for a size 42. The upper is slightly-thicker Teijin microfiber, 1.4mm thick, with an equally rich finish. It's not leather, but it feels really plush in the hand and looks great. The threaded inserts and buckles are steel.Otherwise, the design of the shoe is largely the same as the Prolight. Very few panels, smooth interior, padded and vented tongue with a notch for your tendons. Giro went through 16 different lasts before arriving on a shape that they felt would be optimum for fitting most folk's feet. They decided when they plunged into shoe design that getting the last right was their first task, as once the last is created, the cobbler is pretty much stuck with that shape forever; it's the last.Part of this fastidiousness is seen in the placement of the top strap. Minimize

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, ... Read more

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, yet too much is, simply, too much. Pro gear is typically flashy, both as an advertisement for the producer as well as the rider. If it errs on the side of excess, that's ok, as it just makes the product even more noteworthy. The Factor is Giro's flashiest road shoe and the second one in the lineup. It's one that might even be preferred over the Prolight SLX. It's hard not to notice the red-and-white model. We don't know if it's the pinstripes or the striking contrast between the high-gloss Red and high-gloss White, but this is a color scheme that puts Sidi on notice. If you made it to the technical details, you'll see that it has a buckle at the top of the shoe rather than the Velcro strap of the Prolight SLX. We'll admit, we're like most folks, and we love the control and security of buckle systems.After the buckle, there are more subtle differences between the Prolight and this. The Factor Shoes use the slightly heavier Easton EC90 carbon-fiber sole. Though it's not quite as light as the EC90SLX sole of the Prolight, it's equally thin at 6.5mm. Overall, the shoe is still pretty feathery at a claimed 255g for a size 42. The upper is slightly-thicker Teijin microfiber, 1.4mm thick, with an equally rich finish. It's not leather, but it feels really plush in the hand and looks great. The threaded inserts and buckles are steel.Otherwise, the design of the shoe is largely the same as the Prolight. Very few panels, smooth interior, padded and vented tongue with a notch for your tendons. Giro went through 16 different lasts before arriving on a shape that they felt would be optimum for fitting most folk's feet. They decided when they plunged into shoe design that getting the last right was their first task, as once the last is created, the cobbler is pretty much stuck with that shape forever; it's the last.Part of this fastidiousness is seen in the placement of the top strap. Minimize

Castelli made their Lycra Shoe Covers for those cool weathe ... Read more

Castelli made their Lycra Shoe Covers for those cool weather race days when shaving seconds is as imperative as keeping the temperature of your feet carefully regulated, though neither are mutually exclusive of the other. Their lightweight construction urges you to wear them whenever you desire to achieve a maximum performance or aesthetic effect.The Lycra Shoe Covers are of course, made of Affinity Lycra, which is a super-lightweight and highly elasticized blend of nylon and spandex that sits flush against your shoes, but isn't an absolute bear to get on or off. Affinity even serves as a basic insulatory measure on those cooler morning rides, and is breathable enough to ensure you won't have to stop to remove the covers when the sun finally warms the roads. However, we still wouldn't recommend these covers for long winter training days AAA they're just not quite thick enough for that. Castelli recommends using them within mild or warm conditions with temperatures ranging from 14 degrees Celsius (57 degrees Fahrenheit) to 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit). The presence of a camlock zipper at the rear of the Shoe Cover means youAAAll never be struggling into or out of this bootie. The Castelli Lycra Shoe Cover comes in your choice of Black, Red, or White to best match your favorite kit. Sizes are available from Small to XX-Large, so you're certain to find the right match for your shoes. Minimize

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, ... Read more

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, yet too much is, simply, too much. Pro gear is typically flashy, both as an advertisement for the producer as well as the rider. If it errs on the side of excess, that's ok, as it just makes the product even more noteworthy. The Factor is Giro's flashiest road shoe and the second one in the lineup. It's one that might even be preferred over the Prolight SLX. It's hard not to notice the red-and-white model. We don't know if it's the pinstripes or the striking contrast between the high-gloss Red and high-gloss White, but this is a color scheme that puts Sidi on notice. If you made it to the technical details, you'll see that it has a buckle at the top of the shoe rather than the Velcro strap of the Prolight SLX. We'll admit, we're like most folks, and we love the control and security of buckle systems.After the buckle, there are more subtle differences between the Prolight and this. The Factor Shoes use the slightly heavier Easton EC90 carbon-fiber sole. Though it's not quite as light as the EC90SLX sole of the Prolight, it's equally thin at 6.5mm. Overall, the shoe is still pretty feathery at a claimed 255g for a size 42. The upper is slightly-thicker Teijin microfiber, 1.4mm thick, with an equally rich finish. It's not leather, but it feels really plush in the hand and looks great. The threaded inserts and buckles are steel.Otherwise, the design of the shoe is largely the same as the Prolight. Very few panels, smooth interior, padded and vented tongue with a notch for your tendons. Giro went through 16 different lasts before arriving on a shape that they felt would be optimum for fitting most folk's feet. They decided when they plunged into shoe design that getting the last right was their first task, as once the last is created, the cobbler is pretty much stuck with that shape forever; it's the last.Part of this fastidiousness is seen in the placement of the top strap. Minimize

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, ... Read more

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, yet too much is, simply, too much. Pro gear is typically flashy, both as an advertisement for the producer as well as the rider. If it errs on the side of excess, that's ok, as it just makes the product even more noteworthy. The Factor is Giro's flashiest road shoe and the second one in the lineup. It's one that might even be preferred over the Prolight SLX. It's hard not to notice the red-and-white model. We don't know if it's the pinstripes or the striking contrast between the high-gloss Red and high-gloss White, but this is a color scheme that puts Sidi on notice. If you made it to the technical details, you'll see that it has a buckle at the top of the shoe rather than the Velcro strap of the Prolight SLX. We'll admit, we're like most folks, and we love the control and security of buckle systems.After the buckle, there are more subtle differences between the Prolight and this. The Factor Shoes use the slightly heavier Easton EC90 carbon-fiber sole. Though it's not quite as light as the EC90SLX sole of the Prolight, it's equally thin at 6.5mm. Overall, the shoe is still pretty feathery at a claimed 255g for a size 42. The upper is slightly-thicker Teijin microfiber, 1.4mm thick, with an equally rich finish. It's not leather, but it feels really plush in the hand and looks great. The threaded inserts and buckles are steel.Otherwise, the design of the shoe is largely the same as the Prolight. Very few panels, smooth interior, padded and vented tongue with a notch for your tendons. Giro went through 16 different lasts before arriving on a shape that they felt would be optimum for fitting most folk's feet. They decided when they plunged into shoe design that getting the last right was their first task, as once the last is created, the cobbler is pretty much stuck with that shape forever; it's the last.Part of this fastidiousness is seen in the placement of the top strap. Minimize

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, ... Read more

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, yet too much is, simply, too much. Pro gear is typically flashy, both as an advertisement for the producer as well as the rider. If it errs on the side of excess, that's ok, as it just makes the product even more noteworthy. The Factor is Giro's flashiest road shoe and the second one in the lineup. It's one that might even be preferred over the Prolight SLX. It's hard not to notice the red-and-white model. We don't know if it's the pinstripes or the striking contrast between the high-gloss Red and high-gloss White, but this is a color scheme that puts Sidi on notice. If you made it to the technical details, you'll see that it has a buckle at the top of the shoe rather than the Velcro strap of the Prolight SLX. We'll admit, we're like most folks, and we love the control and security of buckle systems.After the buckle, there are more subtle differences between the Prolight and this. The Factor Shoes use the slightly heavier Easton EC90 carbon-fiber sole. Though it's not quite as light as the EC90SLX sole of the Prolight, it's equally thin at 6.5mm. Overall, the shoe is still pretty feathery at a claimed 255g for a size 42. The upper is slightly-thicker Teijin microfiber, 1.4mm thick, with an equally rich finish. It's not leather, but it feels really plush in the hand and looks great. The threaded inserts and buckles are steel.Otherwise, the design of the shoe is largely the same as the Prolight. Very few panels, smooth interior, padded and vented tongue with a notch for your tendons. Giro went through 16 different lasts before arriving on a shape that they felt would be optimum for fitting most folk's feet. They decided when they plunged into shoe design that getting the last right was their first task, as once the last is created, the cobbler is pretty much stuck with that shape forever; it's the last.Part of this fastidiousness is seen in the placement of the top strap. Minimize

The code is key. Get the code and you can unlock the secret ... Read more

The code is key. Get the code and you can unlock the secret of performance, a pursuit of many a cyclist. Is it a cipher or a shoe? In this case, the Code is the Giro shoe that Levi Leipheimer, sometimes known as a pro roadie who has finished on the podium of a few Grand Tours, literally took out of the box and on his first ride in them won the Leadville 100 mountain bike race, setting the course record and beating the reigning national mountain bike champ in the process. Pretty impressive performance. And the Code is an impressive shoe, whether or not a Giro-sponsored rider fresh off the Tour de France can destroy a field of pro mountain bikers on his virgin ride with their mountain bike shoes. The first big thing about Giro shoes is that they fit great regardless of who wears them. Like their road shoes, Giro went through 16 iterations before they found the last, aka foot form, they wanted to use to design the shoe around. This last has to accommodate for a wide range of feet, accounting for variations in volume, heel width, arch height, toe length, and so on. Shoe makers pretty much have one shot at designing a good last, the first one is what they'll be stuck with pretty much forever, so it needs to be good. Nailing the last is a great first, but any shoe also has to allow for the upper to be adjusted; the material and the straps have to account for differences small and large from foot to foot to foot. Here, too, Giro has done a stellar job. You can see it from the deep, but not too constructed, heel cup. You can see it in the shape of the top strap and two-position buckle. You can see it in the middle strap that goes across the mid-foot to keep it from moving, eliminating pressure on the metatarsal bones by pulling equally from a large swath of fabric on the inside of the foot; when you pull on the Velcro, the entire panel becomes the strap. Minimize

The code is key. Get the code and you can unlock the secret ... Read more

The code is key. Get the code and you can unlock the secret of performance, a pursuit of many a cyclist. Is it a cipher or a shoe? In this case, the Code is the Giro shoe that Levi Leipheimer, sometimes known as a pro roadie who has finished on the podium of a few Grand Tours, literally took out of the box and on his first ride in them won the Leadville 100 mountain bike race, setting the course record and beating the reigning national mountain bike champ in the process. Pretty impressive performance. And the Code is an impressive shoe, whether or not a Giro-sponsored rider fresh off the Tour de France can destroy a field of pro mountain bikers on his virgin ride with their mountain bike shoes. The first big thing about Giro shoes is that they fit great regardless of who wears them. Like their road shoes, Giro went through 16 iterations before they found the last, aka foot form, they wanted to use to design the shoe around. This last has to accommodate for a wide range of feet, accounting for variations in volume, heel width, arch height, toe length, and so on. Shoe makers pretty much have one shot at designing a good last, the first one is what they'll be stuck with pretty much forever, so it needs to be good. Nailing the last is a great first, but any shoe also has to allow for the upper to be adjusted; the material and the straps have to account for differences small and large from foot to foot to foot. Here, too, Giro has done a stellar job. You can see it from the deep, but not too constructed, heel cup. You can see it in the shape of the top strap and two-position buckle. You can see it in the middle strap that goes across the mid-foot to keep it from moving, eliminating pressure on the metatarsal bones by pulling equally from a large swath of fabric on the inside of the foot; when you pull on the Velcro, the entire panel becomes the strap. Minimize

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, ... Read more

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, yet too much is, simply, too much. Pro gear is typically flashy, both as an advertisement for the producer as well as the rider. If it errs on the side of excess, that's ok, as it just makes the product even more noteworthy. The Factor is Giro's flashiest road shoe and the second one in the lineup. It's one that might even be preferred over the Prolight SLX. It's hard not to notice the red-and-white model. We don't know if it's the pinstripes or the striking contrast between the high-gloss Red and high-gloss White, but this is a color scheme that puts Sidi on notice. If you made it to the technical details, you'll see that it has a buckle at the top of the shoe rather than the Velcro strap of the Prolight SLX. We'll admit, we're like most folks, and we love the control and security of buckle systems.After the buckle, there are more subtle differences between the Prolight and this. The Factor Shoes use the slightly heavier Easton EC90 carbon-fiber sole. Though it's not quite as light as the EC90SLX sole of the Prolight, it's equally thin at 6.5mm. Overall, the shoe is still pretty feathery at a claimed 255g for a size 42. The upper is slightly-thicker Teijin microfiber, 1.4mm thick, with an equally rich finish. It's not leather, but it feels really plush in the hand and looks great. The threaded inserts and buckles are steel.Otherwise, the design of the shoe is largely the same as the Prolight. Very few panels, smooth interior, padded and vented tongue with a notch for your tendons. Giro went through 16 different lasts before arriving on a shape that they felt would be optimum for fitting most folk's feet. They decided when they plunged into shoe design that getting the last right was their first task, as once the last is created, the cobbler is pretty much stuck with that shape forever; it's the last.Part of this fastidiousness is seen in the placement of the top strap. Minimize

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, ... Read more

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, yet too much is, simply, too much. Pro gear is typically flashy, both as an advertisement for the producer as well as the rider. If it errs on the side of excess, that's ok, as it just makes the product even more noteworthy. The Factor is Giro's flashiest road shoe and the second one in the lineup. It's one that might even be preferred over the Prolight SLX. It's hard not to notice the red-and-white model. We don't know if it's the pinstripes or the striking contrast between the high-gloss Red and high-gloss White, but this is a color scheme that puts Sidi on notice. If you made it to the technical details, you'll see that it has a buckle at the top of the shoe rather than the Velcro strap of the Prolight SLX. We'll admit, we're like most folks, and we love the control and security of buckle systems.After the buckle, there are more subtle differences between the Prolight and this. The Factor Shoes use the slightly heavier Easton EC90 carbon-fiber sole. Though it's not quite as light as the EC90SLX sole of the Prolight, it's equally thin at 6.5mm. Overall, the shoe is still pretty feathery at a claimed 255g for a size 42. The upper is slightly-thicker Teijin microfiber, 1.4mm thick, with an equally rich finish. It's not leather, but it feels really plush in the hand and looks great. The threaded inserts and buckles are steel.Otherwise, the design of the shoe is largely the same as the Prolight. Very few panels, smooth interior, padded and vented tongue with a notch for your tendons. Giro went through 16 different lasts before arriving on a shape that they felt would be optimum for fitting most folk's feet. They decided when they plunged into shoe design that getting the last right was their first task, as once the last is created, the cobbler is pretty much stuck with that shape forever; it's the last.Part of this fastidiousness is seen in the placement of the top strap. Minimize

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, ... Read more

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, yet too much is, simply, too much. Pro gear is typically flashy, both as an advertisement for the producer as well as the rider. If it errs on the side of excess, that's ok, as it just makes the product even more noteworthy. The Factor is Giro's flashiest road shoe and the second one in the lineup. It's one that might even be preferred over the Prolight SLX. It's hard not to notice the red-and-white model. We don't know if it's the pinstripes or the striking contrast between the high-gloss Red and high-gloss White, but this is a color scheme that puts Sidi on notice. If you made it to the technical details, you'll see that it has a buckle at the top of the shoe rather than the Velcro strap of the Prolight SLX. We'll admit, we're like most folks, and we love the control and security of buckle systems.After the buckle, there are more subtle differences between the Prolight and this. The Factor Shoes use the slightly heavier Easton EC90 carbon-fiber sole. Though it's not quite as light as the EC90SLX sole of the Prolight, it's equally thin at 6.5mm. Overall, the shoe is still pretty feathery at a claimed 255g for a size 42. The upper is slightly-thicker Teijin microfiber, 1.4mm thick, with an equally rich finish. It's not leather, but it feels really plush in the hand and looks great. The threaded inserts and buckles are steel.Otherwise, the design of the shoe is largely the same as the Prolight. Very few panels, smooth interior, padded and vented tongue with a notch for your tendons. Giro went through 16 different lasts before arriving on a shape that they felt would be optimum for fitting most folk's feet. They decided when they plunged into shoe design that getting the last right was their first task, as once the last is created, the cobbler is pretty much stuck with that shape forever; it's the last.Part of this fastidiousness is seen in the placement of the top strap. Minimize

Castelli made their Lycra Shoe Covers for those cool weathe ... Read more

Castelli made their Lycra Shoe Covers for those cool weather race days when shaving seconds is as imperative as keeping the temperature of your feet carefully regulated, though neither are mutually exclusive of the other. Their lightweight construction urges you to wear them whenever you desire to achieve a maximum performance or aesthetic effect.The Lycra Shoe Covers are of course, made of Affinity Lycra, which is a super-lightweight and highly elasticized blend of nylon and spandex that sits flush against your shoes, but isn't an absolute bear to get on or off. Affinity even serves as a basic insulatory measure on those cooler morning rides, and is breathable enough to ensure you won't have to stop to remove the covers when the sun finally warms the roads. However, we still wouldn't recommend these covers for long winter training days AAA they're just not quite thick enough for that. Castelli recommends using them within mild or warm conditions with temperatures ranging from 14 degrees Celsius (57 degrees Fahrenheit) to 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit). The presence of a camlock zipper at the rear of the Shoe Cover means youAAAll never be struggling into or out of this bootie. The Castelli Lycra Shoe Cover comes in your choice of Black, Red, or White to best match your favorite kit. Sizes are available from Small to XX-Large, so you're certain to find the right match for your shoes. Minimize

With nice road shoes cresting the $350 mark, the last thing ... Read more

With nice road shoes cresting the $350 mark, the last thing you want to do is get them soaked and muddied on a wet ride. The Craft Bike Rain Bootie will give your feet supreme protection from wind and rain while making sure that your kicks are spared the majority of the insults from sloppy roads.Craft uses fabric that is highly elastic so these booties fit like a second skin over your shoes. The top of the bootie has a Velcro strap, which makes it possible to secure the top closure tightly over your bib tights or directly against your skin if youAAAre wearing knickers. The three-quarter zipper at the back means that, even though the booties are effectively form-fitted on the foot, youAAAll be able to get them on and off without breaking into a sweat. Of course, the material is also windproof and waterproof.Kevlar reinforcements have been added to the heel and nose to make them more durable for walking to and from the bike rack outside the cafe. Craft added reflective print to keep you visible in the darker conditions youAAAll likely be riding in while wearing them. The Craft Bike Rain Booties come in Black and are available in sizes X-Small through X-Large. Minimize

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, ... Read more

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, yet too much is, simply, too much. Pro gear is typically flashy, both as an advertisement for the producer as well as the rider. If it errs on the side of excess, that's ok, as it just makes the product even more noteworthy. The Factor is Giro's flashiest road shoe and the second one in the lineup. It's one that might even be preferred over the Prolight SLX. It's hard not to notice the red-and-white model. We don't know if it's the pinstripes or the striking contrast between the high-gloss Red and high-gloss White, but this is a color scheme that puts Sidi on notice. If you made it to the technical details, you'll see that it has a buckle at the top of the shoe rather than the Velcro strap of the Prolight SLX. We'll admit, we're like most folks, and we love the control and security of buckle systems.After the buckle, there are more subtle differences between the Prolight and this. The Factor Shoes use the slightly heavier Easton EC90 carbon-fiber sole. Though it's not quite as light as the EC90SLX sole of the Prolight, it's equally thin at 6.5mm. Overall, the shoe is still pretty feathery at a claimed 255g for a size 42. The upper is slightly-thicker Teijin microfiber, 1.4mm thick, with an equally rich finish. It's not leather, but it feels really plush in the hand and looks great. The threaded inserts and buckles are steel.Otherwise, the design of the shoe is largely the same as the Prolight. Very few panels, smooth interior, padded and vented tongue with a notch for your tendons. Giro went through 16 different lasts before arriving on a shape that they felt would be optimum for fitting most folk's feet. They decided when they plunged into shoe design that getting the last right was their first task, as once the last is created, the cobbler is pretty much stuck with that shape forever; it's the last.Part of this fastidiousness is seen in the placement of the top strap. Minimize

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, ... Read more

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, yet too much is, simply, too much. Pro gear is typically flashy, both as an advertisement for the producer as well as the rider. If it errs on the side of excess, that's ok, as it just makes the product even more noteworthy. The Factor is Giro's flashiest road shoe and the second one in the lineup. It's one that might even be preferred over the Prolight SLX. It's hard not to notice the red-and-white model. We don't know if it's the pinstripes or the striking contrast between the high-gloss Red and high-gloss White, but this is a color scheme that puts Sidi on notice. If you made it to the technical details, you'll see that it has a buckle at the top of the shoe rather than the Velcro strap of the Prolight SLX. We'll admit, we're like most folks, and we love the control and security of buckle systems.After the buckle, there are more subtle differences between the Prolight and this. The Factor Shoes use the slightly heavier Easton EC90 carbon-fiber sole. Though it's not quite as light as the EC90SLX sole of the Prolight, it's equally thin at 6.5mm. Overall, the shoe is still pretty feathery at a claimed 255g for a size 42. The upper is slightly-thicker Teijin microfiber, 1.4mm thick, with an equally rich finish. It's not leather, but it feels really plush in the hand and looks great. The threaded inserts and buckles are steel.Otherwise, the design of the shoe is largely the same as the Prolight. Very few panels, smooth interior, padded and vented tongue with a notch for your tendons. Giro went through 16 different lasts before arriving on a shape that they felt would be optimum for fitting most folk's feet. They decided when they plunged into shoe design that getting the last right was their first task, as once the last is created, the cobbler is pretty much stuck with that shape forever; it's the last.Part of this fastidiousness is seen in the placement of the top strap. Minimize

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, ... Read more

Flash is an elusive quality. It makes something stand out, yet too much is, simply, too much. Pro gear is typically flashy, both as an advertisement for the producer as well as the rider. If it errs on the side of excess, that's ok, as it just makes the product even more noteworthy. The Factor is Giro's flashiest road shoe and the second one in the lineup. It's one that might even be preferred over the Prolight SLX. It's hard not to notice the red-and-white model. We don't know if it's the pinstripes or the striking contrast between the high-gloss Red and high-gloss White, but this is a color scheme that puts Sidi on notice. If you made it to the technical details, you'll see that it has a buckle at the top of the shoe rather than the Velcro strap of the Prolight SLX. We'll admit, we're like most folks, and we love the control and security of buckle systems.After the buckle, there are more subtle differences between the Prolight and this. The Factor Shoes use the slightly heavier Easton EC90 carbon-fiber sole. Though it's not quite as light as the EC90SLX sole of the Prolight, it's equally thin at 6.5mm. Overall, the shoe is still pretty feathery at a claimed 255g for a size 42. The upper is slightly-thicker Teijin microfiber, 1.4mm thick, with an equally rich finish. It's not leather, but it feels really plush in the hand and looks great. The threaded inserts and buckles are steel.Otherwise, the design of the shoe is largely the same as the Prolight. Very few panels, smooth interior, padded and vented tongue with a notch for your tendons. Giro went through 16 different lasts before arriving on a shape that they felt would be optimum for fitting most folk's feet. They decided when they plunged into shoe design that getting the last right was their first task, as once the last is created, the cobbler is pretty much stuck with that shape forever; it's the last.Part of this fastidiousness is seen in the placement of the top strap. Minimize

The code is key. Get the code and you can unlock the secret ... Read more

The code is key. Get the code and you can unlock the secret of performance, a pursuit of many a cyclist. Is it a cipher or a shoe? In this case, the Code is the Giro shoe that Levi Leipheimer, sometimes known as a pro roadie who has finished on the podium of a few Grand Tours, literally took out of the box and on his first ride in them won the Leadville 100 mountain bike race, setting the course record and beating the reigning national mountain bike champ in the process. Pretty impressive performance. And the Code is an impressive shoe, whether or not a Giro-sponsored rider fresh off the Tour de France can destroy a field of pro mountain bikers on his virgin ride with their mountain bike shoes. The first big thing about Giro shoes is that they fit great regardless of who wears them. Like their road shoes, Giro went through 16 iterations before they found the last, aka foot form, they wanted to use to design the shoe around. This last has to accommodate for a wide range of feet, accounting for variations in volume, heel width, arch height, toe length, and so on. Shoe makers pretty much have one shot at designing a good last, the first one is what they'll be stuck with pretty much forever, so it needs to be good. Nailing the last is a great first, but any shoe also has to allow for the upper to be adjusted; the material and the straps have to account for differences small and large from foot to foot to foot. Here, too, Giro has done a stellar job. You can see it from the deep, but not too constructed, heel cup. You can see it in the shape of the top strap and two-position buckle. You can see it in the middle strap that goes across the mid-foot to keep it from moving, eliminating pressure on the metatarsal bones by pulling equally from a large swath of fabric on the inside of the foot; when you pull on the Velcro, the entire panel becomes the strap. Minimize

Castelli made their Lycra Shoe Covers for those cool weathe ... Read more

Castelli made their Lycra Shoe Covers for those cool weather race days when shaving seconds is as imperative as keeping the temperature of your feet carefully regulated, though neither are mutually exclusive of the other. Their lightweight construction urges you to wear them whenever you desire to achieve a maximum performance or aesthetic effect.The Lycra Shoe Covers are of course, made of Affinity Lycra, which is a super-lightweight and highly elasticized blend of nylon and spandex that sits flush against your shoes, but isn't an absolute bear to get on or off. Affinity even serves as a basic insulatory measure on those cooler morning rides, and is breathable enough to ensure you won't have to stop to remove the covers when the sun finally warms the roads. However, we still wouldn't recommend these covers for long winter training days AAA they're just not quite thick enough for that. Castelli recommends using them within mild or warm conditions with temperatures ranging from 14 degrees Celsius (57 degrees Fahrenheit) to 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit). The presence of a camlock zipper at the rear of the Shoe Cover means youAAAll never be struggling into or out of this bootie. The Castelli Lycra Shoe Cover comes in your choice of Black, Red, or White to best match your favorite kit. Sizes are available from Small to XX-Large, so you're certain to find the right match for your shoes. Minimize

With nice road shoes cresting the $350 mark, the last thing ... Read more

With nice road shoes cresting the $350 mark, the last thing you want to do is get them soaked and muddied on a wet ride. The Craft Bike Rain Bootie will give your feet supreme protection from wind and rain while making sure that your kicks are spared the majority of the insults from sloppy roads.Craft uses fabric that is highly elastic so these booties fit like a second skin over your shoes. The top of the bootie has a Velcro strap, which makes it possible to secure the top closure tightly over your bib tights or directly against your skin if youAAAre wearing knickers. The three-quarter zipper at the back means that, even though the booties are effectively form-fitted on the foot, youAAAll be able to get them on and off without breaking into a sweat. Of course, the material is also windproof and waterproof.Kevlar reinforcements have been added to the heel and nose to make them more durable for walking to and from the bike rack outside the cafe. Craft added reflective print to keep you visible in the darker conditions youAAAll likely be riding in while wearing them. The Craft Bike Rain Booties come in Black and are available in sizes X-Small through X-Large. Minimize