You can easily spend 300 euros on a top-of-the-range racing shoe. But is this investment worth it? After all, most manufacturers also offer models at moderate prices. They are often advertised as entry-level or leisure shoes, with manufacturers drawing a clear line between their range and the competition or professional category.
The eleven candidates in our test cost between €70 and €100 - and one thing is clear: no one who goes on tour in these shoes needs to feel like a fashionable Cinderella. At first glance, two things make the difference compared to more expensive shoes: Firstly, manufacturers generally use slightly thicker soles made of glass fibre-reinforced plastic, polyurethane or nylon instead of expensive and super-thin carbon soles. Secondly, most of the cheaper shoes - nine of the eleven models in this test - close with simpler Velcro straps instead of ratchet fasteners. Only Rose and Shimano offer a ratchet system that can be additionally fixed in different positions with a screw depending on the individual height of the back of the foot (instep). In our experience, the ratchets make it easier to adjust the shoe while riding, once you have got to grips with the mechanism.
In contrast to top-of-the-range shoes, which today can usually only be fitted with road bike cleats, the low-cost shoes also offer the option of fitting cleats for mountain bike pedals, which pleases those who want to save money and those cyclists who want to ride the same MTB pedals they are used to on their mountain bike and road bike.
SHORT & SHORT
Road cycling shoes up to 100 euros are a good choice for budget-conscious cyclists and beginners, with most offering excellent value for money. The models from Rose, Shimano and Scott performed best.
You can find the test results for these models in the PDF download below:
Carnac Eos
Diadora Aerospeed
Gaerne G.Action
Mavic Peloton
Northwave Vertigo Pro
Pearl Izumi Select RD
Rose RRS 02
Scott Road Comp
Shimano SH-RO86
Specialised BG Sport Road
Time RXT
Text Matthias Borchers, Photos: Daniel Kraus
Downloads:
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