So my well loved pair of shimano R310 shoes is finally giving up the ghost... I need some replacements. have narrowed it down to:

1) Specialized S works shoe
2) Sidi ergo 3
3) Wait for the new Sidi wire ( which is going to be wayyy expensive!)

note that my sponsor shop carries sidi which means I can usually get them at around 30% off retail. Sidi looks nice because of their replaceable parts, but their brand name carries a high price tag. however, I have also heard good thigns about the specilized shoe..

opinions?

what fits your feet the best....

+1 for what fits best.

I would also try the new Wire on before as it fits a little different in the toe box than even the Ergo 3. Not sure they changed the last, however could be due to no mesh sock so it feels just a hair longer/wider. BTW the new Wire upper is nice

I have the Specialized's, really like them, but I will probably go Bont next time...

I have carbon millinium III and have no problems at all with hot spots or things like that ! SIDI is the way to go !

Screw what fits best, get the S-works because it looks gooder!!!

in all seriousness, the sidi and s works fit differently. I liked my sidi ergo 2's but like my specialized better because it has a bigger toe box. Both great shoes, cant go wrong with either.

Sidi Wire and Ergo 3 are very different. Got a pair of Ergo 3 and dreaming of Wire after I tried them, so tight fit.

Say Sidi Wire if they fit you

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/jonas l
http://cerrol.wordpress.com (my cyclingblog)

X2

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cycling,a great individual sport,were you can't reach anything,whithout group effort.

Ok, devil's advocate... what is fits best and I don't think you can tell in a shop for 20/30 mins you have to out the miles on the shoe to know......

I have sidi that are 100 years old, ok they are only 20 years old, but they were very tight the 1st 2 years, until the shoes molded to my feet. So if you think you can fit in or make the sidi fit the, you might be buying the last shoe you will ever need.

The only old shoes i see on the road are sidi.

I am so bias about sidi that I hunted for 4 years on ebay to find NOS shoes in my size,( they are my back up shoes) every year i am tempted by new brands and features, but I think what do I have in my life that has lasted 20 years? Campy, sidi, silca, levi 501s, Apple LaserWriter, henckel knife, and some pots and pans from mom and dad.....most of that stuff is not used everyday like the campy and sidi

C

Specialized if you want them for 1-2 seasons.
Sidi if you want to keep them for many years.

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Wilier Cento Uno
Colnago Master X-light
Wilier 18carati

+1 for what fits best, but if it's worth anything I had my last pair of Sidis for 3 years. 4 major crashes in that period and it was very easy to replace the damaged parts. They fit (my feet) like a glove + they look great. Only reason I bought new ones was purely wanting the latest + greatest.

Also, as a side note - the Sidi Wire does fit differently to the Ergo. Wider in the toe box.

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CAAD10 Di2

Sidi and Specialized really fit very differently. It seems to me that you either fit in one or the other.

I had Sidis for a few years and had major issues with hot spots and foot pain. I switched to Specialized and all the problems went away.

My wife had Specialized and had major issues with hots spots and foot pain. She switched to Sidi and all the problems went away.

I do agree though that the Sidis seem much more durable. I'm about to go to get my third pair of Specialized in four years. the first pair peeled off the sole and my LBS warrantied them. The carbon sole on the replacement pair is coming apart - I got stabbed with a shard of carbon a few weeks ago when taking the shoes off. The new manager at the LBS says that is normal wear and tear, though I disagree. I would try a different brand, but I have oddly shaped feet and am tired of ordering shoes only to have to pay to mail them back. I find that Lake's fit well, but they are super bulky, and I had the BOA system on the pair I bought.

The Sidis, on the other hand, were still going strong after three years - I even sold them to a guy on Craigslist.

Like many I have both. I use them form different rides (short 50 and 100/200) rides. I prefer the Specialized for the longer rides since the toe box is wider. Sidi has the best heel cup and a narrower foot area. I prefer the Sidi for lots of hills and all out efforts when the group gets together, it always turns into max efforts with the guys.

As noted everybody has different feet that is why there are different shoes. If I had to have one pair it would be Sidi

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Let's finish the ride with a 20% grade.
2011 Scott Addict R1 Matt black
2012 Cannondale EVO "Storm Trooper" white and black

i have over 15K and 3 seasons on S-Works shoes. they last a long time. i had some Sidi Genius's that only lasted a season before they wore out.

2009 S-Works wider tow box than SIdi.
2010-2012 S-Works toe box slightly roomier than 2009.
2013 S-Works size 1/2 size bigger and less roomier toe box than 2010-2012.

I have just finished my third season on Specialized and probably have 6000+ miles on them (I have several pairs of shoes). As others have mentioned the toe box seems wider but I have had to replace the ratcheting strap about every year so far. I believe the S Works has the Boa wire system which should take care of that problem.