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Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational) This has to be the most physically intense sport ever invented. It's high speed bicycle racing on a short off road course or riding the off pavement rides on gravel like : "Unbound Gravel". We also have a dedicated Racing forum for the Cyclocross Hard Core Racers.

do I need $250 gravel shoes?

Old 07-30-20, 02:19 PM
  #1  
thehammerdog
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do I need $250 gravel shoes?

I really want these.

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Old 07-30-20, 02:22 PM
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Yes
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Old 07-30-20, 02:31 PM
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Yes
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Old 07-30-20, 02:45 PM
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Yes. But you could probably save $50 by shooting your current $150 shoes with semi-transparent paint https://amzn.to/3gfLzUn
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Old 07-30-20, 02:58 PM
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Depends on what you're going for. RX8 feel like road shoes, both on and off the bike. If you're after stiff soles they're fantastic. They feel poor on foot, and it's difficult to coax much traction from the lugs.
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Old 07-30-20, 03:15 PM
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I love mine. They are an extravagance.
Lower rotational weight and aero advantages don't count for much on gravel, but I do us mine at the velodrome (<40mph).
Boas are very very nice. I have the fangs in it so its great climbing hills when doing a CX race - although now I throw my bike over my shoulder and hike up stuff when gravel riding (i.e. this morning) to open up routes I could never do if staying seated.

(I got the $400 version half off)
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Old 07-30-20, 03:38 PM
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Just two hundred and fifty American dollars, you say?

The peasantry! Hmph, harumph!

I have big honkin' feet that crave a super-stiff outsole, so $250 is pretty much where I end up.

Definitely try 'em before you buy 'em, though. As with any shoe, but especially those. Shimanos are not particularly wide.
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Old 07-30-20, 06:40 PM
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Yes and consider getting a matching helmet and gloves.
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Old 07-31-20, 06:24 AM
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It’s all about looking good bro...
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Old 07-31-20, 08:06 AM
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Can’t say for $250, but $200 was worth it for a pair of Shimano SH-XC701’s. They come in wide and fit my feet perfectly. Stiff sole which I need.

I read on a cycling forum once that you should spend on contact points - saddles, shorts, shoes.
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Old 07-31-20, 08:57 AM
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Those look cool. If I had multiple shoes thst I would swap out based on what I was wearing each day, I would for sure consider these.
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Old 07-31-20, 02:22 PM
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There’s no way to ride a bike without those shoes
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Old 07-31-20, 02:24 PM
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Originally Posted by DrIsotope
Just two hundred and fifty American dollars, you say?

The peasantry! Hmph, harumph!

I have big honkin' feet that crave a super-stiff outsole, so $250 is pretty much where I end up.

Definitely try 'em before you buy 'em, though. As with any shoe, but especially those. Shimanos are not particularly wide.
i wouldn’t argue with trying them on first to make sure there’s no major pressure points but I find trying them on only minimally useful. I’ve had shoes feel fine trying them on but then later on long rides end up hurting. But not much you can do
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Old 07-31-20, 02:45 PM
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Your riding mates all have similar nice shoes?
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Old 07-31-20, 03:19 PM
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I've never, in my entire life, had a pair of shoes-- of any kind-- become less comfortable over time. But I am a dude, so my experience is limited to "functional" shoes. My wife owns shoes that were uncomfortable in the store, and will never get any better, because they have 5" heels on them.

I can tell within 10 seconds if a shoe I'm trying on actually fits or not.
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Old 07-31-20, 07:12 PM
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I feel like the OP needs to consider if those shoes match his bike. I assume a $250 shoe is going to be pretty good, if it fits.

Originally Posted by DrIsotope
I can tell within 10 seconds if a shoe I'm trying on actually fits or not.
My feet swell at exactly 95 miles. I have some nice shoes that work great for short rides, but if I use them for 200km, they are excruciating.
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Old 07-31-20, 07:16 PM
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Weirdo.

<self-reported>
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Old 07-31-20, 07:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Toadmeister
It’s all about looking good bro...
Even when they're caked in dust/dirt mud and the dial is jammed?
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Old 08-01-20, 11:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Marcus_Ti
Even when they're caked in dust/dirt mud and the dial is jammed?
even better. Wabi-Sabi
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Old 08-02-20, 06:01 PM
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If it’s something non-food that I’m buying, I ask myself “when this is covered in mud, will it look as awesome as an 88 Bronco covered in mud or will it look sad as an iPhone covered in mud?”
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Old 08-03-20, 01:27 PM
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If FOMO is killing you, then certainly buy them. Just think of it in terms of wage hours. How many work hours will these $250 shoes take to be paid off? In my case, it’s a work week. 😢
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