Mountain Bike Rider — March 2018

NEW PRODUCTS

76 mbrMARCH 2018

TEST

WINNER!

SHIMANO GR9

£119.99

SPECIFICATIONWeight: 380g each (760g per pair for size 44) • Colours: grey/green •
Contact: madison.co.uk

The GR9 represents the latest evolution in Shimano flat pedal shoes, and
comes with a specially designed Michelin rubber sole that’s softer and
stickier than the previous Vibram equivalent. It’s also wider, with a new
grippatterninthepedalzoneandchunkiertoeandheeltreadto
assist with hike-a-bikes.
It’s still got Shimano’s signature futuristic look that stems
fromthesplash-resistantflapcoveringthelaces(whichnow
cinchtightquicklyusingaboa-styletensionerloop).For
extrafootprotection,there’sanklepaddingonthecrank
side,plusamoulded,reinforcedtoecap.Therelativelythin,
syntheticexterioriswellventilatedanddesignedtoabsorbless
wateranddrymorequicklytoo.
Onthe bike, there’s excellent pedal feel and the sole’s flexible
enough to wrap slightly around the platform and feed back what the
bike’sdoing,butthere’slessshockabsorptionthansomechunkiershoes.
TheGR9iscomfyandsupple,butIinitiallyfeltalittlelumpunderfooton
theinneredgeuntilitbeddedin.Theinteriorshapeandflimsyremovable
insole doesn’t fully lock your foot in place inside like Spesh’s 2FO does. I
swappedtheinsoleforanErgonIP3footbed,whichincreasedstability,
isolatedthepedalmoreandmadetheGR9feelstifferandtighter.
Michelin’snewoutersolereallyboostsgriplevels,butthequestionon
everyone’s lips is: how does it compare to Five Ten’s benchmark Stealth
rubber?Well, it’s grippy enough to stay put
ontoughdescentsinfoulweather,which
is abigimprovementoverthehard,
slippery Shimano compound of old,
butit’sstillnotaslockedon,planted
ordampedasmyfavouriteFiveTen
FreeridePro.Ialsopreferhowthat
shoefeelssturdier,withitsmore
protective mid-sole.
TheperforatedGR9isascomfy
as your favourite slippers, but runs
abitcoldintheUKwinter,andon
thewettestridesfeetgetsaturated
andchilledabitquickly.Iprefera
slightly more sturdy riding shoe, and
couldachieveagoodfeelbyaddinga
stifferfootbed,buttheGR9stillwon’t
replacemyfavouriteFiveTenmodel,
particularly as it’s 10 quid cheaper.

SPECIALIZED 2FO 2.0

£130

SPECIFICATIONWeight: 377g each (754g per pair for size 43) • Colours: black, neon yellow •

Contact: specialized.com

Launched last year, the latest Specialized 2FO shoes are more flexible,

muchlighteranduseatackiersolethanthefirstgeneration.This2.0

versionisthepricieroftwomodels,usesthicker,moredurablematerials

andisratedfordownhillandendurouse.

Significant foot protection takes the form of reinforcement

against rubbing, dense foam imbedded in the upper and

armoured toebox, and a chunky, dual-density midsole

to absorb impacts. The interior shaping and insole uses

Specialized’s Body Geometry principles and spreads the toes

alittle,supportsthearchesandanglesthefootforpedalling,

whichallfeelscomfortableandnaturalwhenriding.

Tolockontoplatformpedals,the2.0usesanew,improved

formulaof‘SlipNot’rubber,whichisnowsquidgyandstickier,butalso

moredurableaccordingtoSpesh.There’sanew,tightlywovenpatternof

lugsaround5mmdeeptohelpmeshwithflatpedalpinstoo.

Atfirst,thesculpted2FOfeelsprettystiff(morelikeaclippedalshoe),

butafterafewlongridesbreaksinnicelyand,withboththeupperand

sole loosening to conform to feet and pedals, becomes really comfy.

Supportandprotectionfeelsspot-on,withatexturedtongueandankle

cup thatlocksthefootinplace,andaperfectlystiffsolethatbalances

goodpedalfeelwithshockabsorption.Onrough,rocky

ground, the thicker midsole is enough to stop your feet

clawingoverthepedalsandgettingtired,andthe

2FOs also resist splashing well and shed water

todry quickly if soaked.

Compared to Five Ten’s legendary

rubber compound, the 2FO gets pretty

close—it’snotquiteassucker-like,but

thetreadpatternmesheswellwith

multiple pedal shapes. I’m really picky

aboutgripandfoundtheoverallhold

is locked down enough, but it’s the

solidity, build quality and foot support

that really boosts to the 2FO package.

This is a solid shoe that’s proving

durabledespiteloadsofriding,hiking

uphill,andeventrailmaintenance—like

kicking out muddy drains — meaning

it’s onparwithsomeofthe

best flat pedal

shoes available.

VERDICT
Both these new shoes have really stepped
itupintermsofoutrightgripoverprevious
models,andthepairarenowclosetoFive
Ten’s legendary rubber formula; something
allflatpedalshoebrandshavestruggledfor
yearstoachieve.ThesuppleGR9feelspretty
invisible on your foot, with a planted sole that

gives good pedal feedback, but it’s not that

supportive or locked in place, feeling closer to

a skate shoe than the solid 2FO.

Specialized’slatest2.0modelreallyclamps

thefootcomfortably,andthesturdysole

absorbsshocksonroughtrailsandgetsthe

power down while cranking. It’s hard-wearing

too, with excellent support and protection,

and stays relatively warm and dry in wet

UK conditions.

Speshalsooffersasofter,lighter1.0model

we’vetestedthathasafeelclosertotheGR9,

but is £20 cheaper at £100.

Mick Kirkman

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