SIDI ERGO 2 CARBON 50TH ANNIVERSARY

With more major race wins to their credit than any other brand, Sidi shoes are the standard by which all other shoes are measured. So when we got our hands on a pair of the 50th Anniversary model, the Ergo 2 Carbon, we should have been fighting over them. But when confronted with the wow factor of Sidi’s gilded $500 racing shoe, it took some time to get the mojo up to take them out and get them dirty. Resplendent in shiny white leather, with gold-tone accents on the buckles and flying the Italian Tricolore, Sidi’s ultimate offering for 2011 is as Italian as Ferrari and Ferragamo.

Sidi begins with the best T700 high modulus carbon material for their sole, molded in with the fibers aligned in various directions to keep the shoe’s underside stiff while allowing enough flex at the toe to prevent the fatigue-related injuries that result from way-too-rigid shoes. Unseen, yet still important, are lengthwise corrugations molded into the insole side of the carbon to save weight—over 40 grams says Sidi. Sidi ensures a comfortably snug fit using three strategies: the ratcheting buckle, which employs a molded pressure relief pad and features a one-click release button that allows a rider to loosen the buckle two millimeters with one touch; Sidi’s famous Techno II monofilament center tension device; and a quality Velcro toe closure.

Ergo 2 shoes are skinned with Lorica synthetic leather with ventilated regions almost everywhere. A molded heel cup helps stabilize the foot, augmented by Sidi’s patented “Heel Cup System” — an adjustable wing that pinches the rear of the shoe around the Achilles area to prevent heel lift. The insoles are removable, and Ergo 2 shoes are made in half sizes in two different widths and in women’s sizes as well. Our pair of size42.5 Ergos weighed 630 grams.

Any shoe test begins with fitting the cleats — a task simplified by graduated increments and centering lines printed on the soles. From the beginning, the Ergo 2s feel quite comfortable, with a padded tongue with a serrated edge that deftly conforms to the forefoot. No break-in period is necessary. A snug fit around the foot is facilitated by micro-adjustments on the shoe’s uppers, and because the Ergo 2s design conforms so well to the foot, minimal tension is required, even for powerful sprinting or climbing. We didn’t use the heel cup tension device until we had some time on the Sidi shoes so that we could evaluate whether or not it made a difference. The adjustment does make a positive difference, and it will retrofit to other Sidi shoes, too. If you are a powerful rider, the carbon sole is plenty stiff, but we didn’t get the sense that our feet were forced to conform to an immovable object.

Comfortable, lightweight, efficient and well ventilated, Sidi’s Ergo 2 delivers performance at the highest level. Perhaps the best compliment we can give to the Ergo 2 Sidis is that once we put them on, we did not notice that we were wearing them—which is what a pro-level shoe should feel like. While you may not notice that 50th anniversary model Sidis are on your feet, everyone else will. Those who lack the mojo to ride the peloton with a pair of $500, photo-flash white, gold-encrusted dogs can get a pair of Sidi Ergo 2s in red or black.

Weight: 630 grams (pair, size Euro 42.5)

Price: $499

With an all-new flagship model due to arrive in the spring, Bontrager’s former top-end RXL Road shoe has been granted only the bare minimum of updates from the previous version.

Bontrager’s highest-end “Gold Series” carbon fiber yields a stiff sole that transfers power to the pedal with minimal flex. Mounting and adjusting cleats proves a simple task, thanks to various lines and concentric circles printed on the sole. A grippy plastic applique around the mounting holes holds the cleats firmly in place. The widely spaced treads on the heel provide plenty of support when standing or walking, and two small mesh panels provide noticeable ventilation underneath the arch and toes. With mesh panels akin to jogging shoes and with pinholes on the toes, the RXL breathes exceptionally well. The molded heel cup features an updated anti-slip lining that ensures a secure fit—just be sure to wear socks, as this lining is somewhat “prickly” on bare skin.

Two Velcro straps secure the forefoot in place, and a new ratcheting buckle system allows for twice the microadjustment compared to the previous version. Whereas the previous edition of the RXL featured a single release lever, the 2011 version has two levers placed side by side, but staggered so that one sits slightly closer towards the top of the foot. This allows fine adjustment of the closure system to within 1.5 millimeters as the twin levers alternate “clicks” to tighten the strap. The drawback to this new design is that both release levers must be pressed simultaneously to disengage the strap, and riders with small fingers may find this cumbersome.

The overall fit remains unchanged from the previous version with the toe box still wide and thus suitable for most riders, particularly those weary of the slim profiles of many European brands. The supple upper material conforms to the foot over time, but does require a bit of a break-in period. A new eSoles insole comes standard and, according to Bontrager, was designed to fit a larger percentage of riders than its predecessor — but the RXL’s wide profile will accept most other insoles, even custom or orthotic options. On the bike, the RXL Road’s stiff carbon sole allows for efficient power transfer, but it may prove too stiff for some, particularly beginner riders. The ventilation is terrific, but when the air temperature drops, the mesh panels proved to be a double-edged sword as our test toes felt a bit too cold. The new ratcheting buckle is difficult to adjust on the fly, but the twin micro-adjustment levers encourage proper fitting before jumping on the bike.

Bontrager’s modestly updated RXL Road shoes are suitable for most enthusiasts and some racer types, and a pair weighs 597 grams (EUR 42.5), 33 grams less than the Sidi Ergo 2s tested above (630 grams, same size). The RXL’s comfortable fit, competitive weight and $229.99 price tag makes the RXL Road shoe a superb value.

Bontrager RXL Road Shoe

Weight: 597 grams (pair, size Euro 42.5)

Price: $229.99

www.bontrager.com