Specialized S-Works 8 Road Shoes?

[jlok]

Does wide fit comes with all colors or black only again?

[LanceLegstrong]

For anybody that have worn the SW7 and now the Torch, are they worth the extra $100? I ordered the SW7 on sale, but curious if people think the Torch are worth the $100 premium.

[kode54]

Fliping the cleat nuts is a right pain on these aswell.

Curious why you need to 'flip' the cleat 'nuts'? Not disagreeing as I have not pulled back the flap that hides the plate that the cleat bolts thread into , but I would think it is symetrical so no difference if it is rotated 180 degrees.

The cleat nuts are assymetrical, you can rotate them 180 degrees to get a more rearward position.

Yeah…but nearly impossible to get them out. I had to remove one since a bolt got seized in.

[Eterna7m]

For anybody that have worn the SW7 and now the Torch, are they worth the extra $100? I ordered the SW7 on sale, but curious if people think the Torch are worth the $100 premium.

I think one of the major advantages of the torch is the reposition of the top boa cable guide (dig into my foot when flexing up) and the lowered outer side (dig into my ankle bone)
If you don’t have these issues I might say no. I also prefer the SW7 visually. I don’t know, I think the front portion of the torch with the two slightly patterns and the holes all over looks a bit weird.

[ms6073]

The cleat nuts are assymetrical, you can rotate them 180 degrees to get a more rearward position.

Thanks, I was not aware of that as I had always assumed the slots dictacted the aft limit and the nuts could be moved to full aft limit of the slot.

[FlatlandClimber]

Thanks for the update! Do you think it would be an issue with the shoe if you tried to move the cleats as far back as possible?

I will let you be the judge of that. For reference, the SP adapter for the cleat in the image below is mounted nearly all the way forward, so I suspect that if the adapter plate where moved full aft, there would be some over hang of the base plate.

That looks really clean, but i am like two thirds back, so the adapters will likely float to some extent.

[RadB]

Fliping the cleat nuts is a right pain on these aswell.

Without seeing another way, I made a small cut the lower inner sole in order to access them, on both pairs. Pita design.

[tommyboyo]

Fliping the cleat nuts is a right pain on these aswell.

Without seeing another way, I made a small cut the lower inner sole in order to access them, on both pairs. Pita design.

Yeah, that part is fine.

But I remove the tape which is all scrunched up and then getting all three to sit flush in the the grooves and then stay there whilst manoeuvring the shoes to add the cleats and tighten the bolts needed a considerable amount of dexterity.

[ArtifactsInMotion]

Fliping the cleat nuts is a right pain on these aswell.

Curious why you need to 'flip' the cleat 'nuts'? Not disagreeing as I have not pulled back the flap that hides the plate that the cleat bolts thread into , but I would think it is symetrical so no difference if it is rotated 180 degrees.

The cleat nuts are assymetrical, you can rotate them 180 degrees to get a more rearward position.

I found that placing pressure using one hand inside the shoe against the cleat nuts keeps them in place well enough to torque the bolt to them, and then releasing pressure using the bolt to rotate the nuts into the desired position. Rinse and repeat for install. I will say, even with that trick, they're still a real pain to set up. Small price to pay in the big picture, as this isn't a frequent operation.

[tommyboyo]

I have to say, the ventiliation with these is next level bad. Bont level bad for me. Just over 20c in the UK today and my feet were hot, hot, hot.

I don't know what they were thinking? I guess there will be a new Vent soon enough and they need a selling point.

A lot to like about the first 2/3s of the shoe (for my foot shape), but then the front 3rd is a bit of a dud (for my foot shape). Very similar to the RC902, although the toebox is nothing like as bad as that monstrosity (for my foot shape).

[BikeTyson]

I have to say, the ventiliation with these is next level bad. Bont level bad for me. Just over 20c in the UK today and my feet were hot, hot, hot.

I don't know what they were thinking? I guess there will be a new Vent soon enough and they need a selling point.

A lot to like about the first 2/3s of the shoe (for my foot shape), but then the front 3rd is a bit of a dud (for my foot shape). Very similar to the RC902, although the toebox is nothing like as bad as that monstroity (for my foot shape).

Actually a benefit for me. I have a pair of knit upper Giros that are great in the summer, but my feet freeze in any temp under 60F. Like, go numb. Even with shoe covers, it gets cold enough that I can't stay warm. So I was looking for a shoe that will keep my feet a little warmer in colder temps. Won't be a summer shoe though.

[tommyboyo]

I have to say, the ventiliation with these is next level bad. Bont level bad for me. Just over 20c in the UK today and my feet were hot, hot, hot.

I don't know what they were thinking? I guess there will be a new Vent soon enough and they need a selling point.

A lot to like about the first 2/3s of the shoe (for my foot shape), but then the front 3rd is a bit of a dud (for my foot shape). Very similar to the RC902, although the toebox is nothing like as bad as that monstroity (for my foot shape).

Actually a benefit for me. I have a pair of knit upper Giros that are great in the summer, but my feet freeze in any temp under 60F. Like, go numb. Even with shoe covers, it gets cold enough that I can't stay warm. So I was looking for a shoe that will keep my feet a little warmer in colder temps. Won't be a summer shoe though.

Yeah, should be great for the colder days in that regard.

[AW84]

For anybody that have worn the SW7 and now the Torch, are they worth the extra $100? I ordered the SW7 on sale, but curious if people think the Torch are worth the $100 premium.

Can't speak to the Torch, but I went for the SW7 on sale. They look better, the toe box is taller, sounds like the material may be more durable and easier to keep clean, better ventilation based on reviews, and if the top Boa fails, you don't have to disassemble it to get it out of the tongue straps. At $100 less, my mind was made up. Coming from the SW6, the 7 is very comfortable, and more than wide enough.

[bob78h]

Does wide fit comes with all colors or black only again?

Was hoping there would be more colors this time, but from the website it looks like black only for narrow/wide fit

[bob78h]

For anybody that have worn the SW7 and now the Torch, are they worth the extra $100? I ordered the SW7 on sale, but curious if people think the Torch are worth the $100 premium.

Can't speak to the Torch, but I went for the SW7 on sale. They look better, the toe box is taller, sounds like the material may be more durable and easier to keep clean, better ventilation based on reviews, and if the top Boa fails, you don't have to disassemble it to get it out of the tongue straps. At $100 less, my mind was made up. Coming from the SW6, the 7 is very comfortable, and more than wide enough.

I have both, its mainly fit dependent. I have a wide forefoot/square toe shape so I love the extra width/new shape of the Torch. However, the forefoot is a little too low volume and pinches my big toe so I'm considering going up half a size (but then worried about heel slip). The SW7 was a little too narrow/tapered in the forefoot and I'd get numbness after a few hours. SW7 has better heel hold which I like, but that was a problem area for many.

If Specialized made the toebox a little taller in the Torch (and maybe the heel a little tighter) it would be the perfect shoe for me.