Thermoformed removable insole. Synthetic upper with ventilated mesh. Maximized surface area of mesh for optimum ventilation. Front side vents. Closure consists of 1 strap with adjustable buckle and 2 velcro straps in non-stretch fibers to hold foot securely. Padded inner tongue provides comfort and protects foot. Weight: 690g (claimed, size 39).

Some of the top features of this shoe includes of course the Carbon Lite sole which is new for 2009-10; a soft instep closure system; an adjustable heel retention device, a caliper buckle, a Tecno-II system, High Security Velcro Faterns and a  3 bolt sole for Shimano SPD-SL.

The ulteam rs carbon shoe has a fully formable inner lining using a thermo shape membrane.

Some of the features include that it’s 100% compatible with all road pedal systems, Clarino microfiber upper – thermoformable, Carbon sole with integrated VIBRASER technical zone under the cleat and integrated into the fibre lay-up of the carbon sole and the VIBRASER system absorbs road vibrations improving comfort as well as energy transmission.  It’s a light weight 658g.

A perfect example of this is the new set of Sidi Zeta Mesh Road Cycling Shoes, targeted universally for women riders.

Designed for a woman’s foot, the Sidi Zeta Mesh road cycling shoes delivers a race-worthy performance design with a Lorican perforated synthetic leather.

The mesh upper of the shoe offers a glove-like fit and superb breathability for any rider of any shoe size.

The stylish design will ensure you are ahead of any new fashion trends that exist in the sport, with a slick grey layout of the shoe that wreaks of class.

The Sidi Zeta Mesh Road Cycling Shoes retail for around about $150 US and can be purchased online or at most road cycling stores.

The shoe caters for most sizes, and if you’re a guy and like what you are reading, great news!

Sidi Zeta also have a Mesh Road Cycling Shoe for the male population!

SPECS:

•  Female-specific fit
•  Three-way touch-fasten brand closures for a custom fit
•  Molded plastic heel cup stabilizes to avoid injuries
•  Padded tongue relieves pressure across instep
•  Breathable, padded and removable Airplus insole
•  Padded footbed
•  Universally compatible cleat drill hole pattern
•  Nylon outsole
•  Weight: 1 lb. 4 oz. pr.

Oh, and you still haven’t bought any shoes yet!!

Never fear, luckily for all cyclists, the folk down at Exustar hade done their part in making the sport easier to afford, releasing the budget priced road cycling shoe, the Exustar SR901.

Retailing for the bargain price of $39.99, the SR901 is still a pretty damn good road shoe.

The sole is made from Nylon-fiberglass while the majority of the shoe uses PU-coated leather upper with breathable mesh and a molded heel cup.

The airflow vents do their bit to ensure your feet don’t sweat up, but if they do smell your shoe out too much, its ok, the insoles are washable!

The SR901 is available for most cycling stores and come with a three upper Velcro straps and non-slip tread.

While they are designed for a wider, broader foot, the Exodus shoes still cater for the average and skinny sizes.

The reviews have been nothing but positive for the SR901 which has been widely regarded as one of the most comfortable and durable road shoe under $50.

The lightweight design and the diverse range of needs the shoe can cater for make it a great buy for any type of rider.

For $39.99, you really can’t find better value for money.

This is a custom-fit shoe, meaning you get in touch with the good folks at Shimano to tee up the details of your feet, and are sent your ready-to-ride shoes a few days later.

For such a detailed service, the costing is relatively modest, with the standard pair costing $210.

New technology in the heel cup adds to the stabilisation of the foot, as does the custom-fit technology that comes in the insole for extra support and comfort.

So you can get the most bang-for-buck out of your pedaling, a carbon fiber composite sole is installed and this works towards optimum power transfer.

You will have to worry about wear over time a lot less with this shoe, because the synthetic fabric used throughout has been designed to be stretch-resistant.

This means that even after a long period of riding, your shoes will hold their shape.

The shoes are very stiff without being uncomfortable, and they are also light, making it a winning package.

Strapping your feet in is not at all hard, with the Velcro and ratchet system doing a fine job of securing an accurate fit and keeping it that way.

One of the few criticisms of this latest effort by Shimano is the lack of a replaceable heel pad; some think this would give further customization and also lengthen the life of the shoes.

If you are looking for a tidy all-round shoe to perform at a high level, this could be a great choice.

Those who use these shoes for the first time always comment that the carbon sole gives them a great amount of strength and maximises your power transfer.

The only time these shoes are not comfortable to wear is when you are walking around. But when you are on the bike, they are close to the most comfortable road bike shoes ever made!

The quality of construction is also of the highest order. Most riders find that after thousands of kilometers, the shoes are still going strong.

Some people like to replace the insoles on the Specializes Pro Carbon Road shoes with their own insole. It’s a matter of personal preference, not necessity.

Although the soles are stiff, they are not as stiff as out-and-out sprinting shoes and are instead better suited to casual distance riding.

With three quality buckles, you have a lot of control over your fit and you can fine tune it so that it snugly wraps around your foot.

While these shoes are at the expensive end of things, you will be getting a long term shoe because most users report keeping them for several years.

The only downside is the sole adjustors, which can be a little finicky.

You can actually order these shoes to custom fit your feet, which is a great innovation because so many riders struggle to find shoes that accurately fit their feet.

The shoes are also well ventilated, meaning that on long rides you won’t have to put up with overheated feet.

And one of the most important factors – that the shoes are lightweight – gets a big tick too. So you won’t feel like you are lugging around gumboots after you dismount!

First of all, you need to make a decision between the two premier pedal options for road cycling: clipless pedals or toe clip pedals.

Clipless pedals maximise the energy efficiency of your riding because all the effort you put in your downstroke and upstroke goes directly through the pedals and cranks. Toe clip pedals are less efficient, but can be easier to get in and out of. Toe clip pedals are ok for casual use, but not for daily use.

If you are a daily or regular rider you need a good clipless system including quality pedals and shoes. There are two main things to look for in shoes for the clipless system.

Compatability

Unfortunately because brands are competing for market share, there is little standardisation of clipless systems. You MUST ensure the shoes you buy will fit with the pedals. There are two main systems and these will be outlined on the shoe box – SPD or Look. Make sure you get the ones that match your pedals!

Stiff Soles

The stiffer the better. The reason for this is that stiffness ensures maximum energy is transferred from your pedalling to the bike. You will notice the most expensive road cycling shoes have the stiffest pedals.