New XC/Gravel Shoes

Discuss light weight issues concerning mountain bikes & parts.

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la85
Posts: 206
Joined: Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:13 am

by la85

Hey all,

Been running S works recon for a while now. Had a few pairs and I love the fit/feel/power delivery but I'm very sick of the constant squeaky noise with XTR pedals.

What shoes on the market compare with these? I've tried shimano Sphere but didn't like their fit.

Northwave XC look good?

Any other suggestions?

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eucalyptus
Posts: 616
Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2020 3:51 am
Location: Sweden

by eucalyptus

Shimano RX800 (RX801)

Extremely light and affordable + good comfort and extremely stiff.

Really great shoes!

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
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la85
Posts: 206
Joined: Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:13 am

by la85

eucalyptus wrote:
Mon Aug 05, 2024 2:39 pm
Shimano RX800 (RX801)

Extremely light and affordable + good comfort and extremely stiff.

Really great shoes!
Thanks mate. These look good

jfranci3
Posts: 1620
Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2016 5:21 pm

by jfranci3

Sqeeky nice? DId you dry changing the cleat? Lubing the pedal (grease, white lithium grease - drip wax might work too but grease is the way to go.)

robbstark
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2024 2:13 am

by robbstark

If you love the fit and performance of the S-Works Recon but are tired of the squeaking, the Northwave XC shoes are a solid option to consider—they're known for their comfort and power transfer. You might also want to look into the Giro Empire VR90 or Bontrager XXX, both offering good fit and performance. my perfect hotel

la85
Posts: 206
Joined: Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:13 am

by la85

Does anyone know how Northwave fit in comparison to S works?

Westosteron
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2024 7:51 pm

by Westosteron

Northwave's are usually 'true-to-size', I rode the Extreme XC and the Extreme XCM plus the Celsius XC Arctic GTX (which imho is the best winter/foul weather shoe out there) and use the Revolution & Extreme GT on the road... all of them in 46, which is my Nike Sneaker Size. The S Works Recon, similar to all Sidi shoes, needed a 47 in order to fit properly...

la85
Posts: 206
Joined: Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:13 am

by la85

Westosteron wrote:
Tue Sep 03, 2024 11:40 am
Northwave's are usually 'true-to-size', I rode the Extreme XC and the Extreme XCM plus the Celsius XC Arctic GTX (which imho is the best winter/foul weather shoe out there) and use the Revolution & Extreme GT on the road... all of them in 46, which is my Nike Sneaker Size. The S Works Recon, similar to all Sidi shoes, needed a 47 in order to fit properly...
Thanks mate!

BernieMoves
Posts: 103
Joined: Thu Jan 11, 2024 5:22 pm
Location: Austria | Slovenia
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by BernieMoves

I agree on Northwave running true to size. Albeit a bit narrow, so if you have wide feet they recommend going up half(!) a size. That worked pretty well for me. The half sizes are not as easy to get as the regular ones. I bought mine at bike24.

ComeKnowMeAsGC
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2022 8:08 pm

by ComeKnowMeAsGC

Anyone ever compared the Giro VR90 lace up vs Sector and has input? They appear quite similar despite the obvious differences (shell material + lace/boa).

jbattermann
Posts: 77
Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2017 10:47 pm

by jbattermann

ComeKnowMeAsGC wrote:
Tue Sep 24, 2024 6:03 am
Anyone ever compared the Giro VR90 lace up vs Sector and has input? They appear quite similar despite the obvious differences (shell material + lace/boa).
I had the VR90s and the Sectors and the fit / sizing is similar, but my feet slip out of the Sector's in the heel cup-area / are much 'looser' in there than the VR90s.. no matter how tight I'd tighten the Boa dials.

JaeOne3345
Posts: 148
Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 5:27 am

by JaeOne3345

I run Bont Vaypor G and love them.

voicycle
Posts: 203
Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2021 8:38 am

by voicycle

BernieMoves wrote:
Thu Sep 05, 2024 8:16 am
I agree on Northwave running true to size. Albeit a bit narrow, so if you have wide feet they recommend going up half(!) a size. That worked pretty well for me. The half sizes are not as easy to get as the regular ones. I bought mine at bike24.
Just to add another data point to this for anyone else coming across the thread:

42.5 Specialized (SW7 and SW Torch)
42.5 Northwave (Previous GTX model - Raptor. I did end up selling those and re-buying in 43 but that's because they are my winter boots and I wanted room for thick socks.)
43 Shimano (RX8, RX610, XC7, maybe others?)

Specialized toe box is roomiest, then Shimano, and Northwave is narrowest - reminds me of the previous generation of cycling shoes where everything was narrow. Giro might be a good reference/comparison these days. Foot shape is otherwise similar across the three, with the exception of the valgus tilt in the Spez.

rothwem
Posts: 218
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 4:45 pm
Location: Asheville, NC

by rothwem

jbattermann wrote:
Sat Oct 12, 2024 8:38 pm
ComeKnowMeAsGC wrote:
Tue Sep 24, 2024 6:03 am
Anyone ever compared the Giro VR90 lace up vs Sector and has input? They appear quite similar despite the obvious differences (shell material + lace/boa).
I had the VR90s and the Sectors and the fit / sizing is similar, but my feet slip out of the Sector's in the heel cup-area / are much 'looser' in there than the VR90s.. no matter how tight I'd tighten the Boa dials.
Yeah, I've got Sectors too--really comfortable shoes but they're higher volume than the VR90s. They're also a bit flexier than the VR90s, so they don't feel as "racy"/roadbikeish and they're kinda heavy feeling compared to VR90s. They're great for long days in the saddle though, extremely comfortable on my feet with lots of toe box room.

Fwiw, I had bad heel slip issues in Lake shoes but never in Giros, they nailed the heel cup for my anatomy. Specialized and Shimano are always too tight for me.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Roadrocket
Posts: 371
Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2018 8:43 am
Location: Slovakia

by Roadrocket

Try DMT. Great looking and super comfortable

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