Specialized Expert Road Shoe Review
It seems that one of the most popular words in the cycling circles today is power. As we all try to get more out of our body’s performance, “power” has become increasingly popular with not just the elite cyclist, but among all riders. I’ve recently tested the Specialized Expert cycling shoe to evaluate its performance as far as power transition goes and the overall fit.
First, the Specialized Expert Road shoe has the BOA Technology lacing system which gives you an exact fit to your foot as long as you have the correct length in the shoe. Unlike some of the other velcro scraps, the BOA system allows for a precise fit. And if you are looking for power transition, getting a precise fit in a shoe helps with power. Not to mention, the BOA system often reduces weight.
Specialized worked with the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine to develop the footbed of this shoe and other models offered by Specialized. I am a big fan of the footbed as I have been using them for many years now. Since I live near the facility, I had my bike fit performed here and I also had a pair of these insoles put into my older Shimano cycling shoes years ago. In essence, the footbed was developed with both power and comfort in mind and gives you the best of both worlds. The footbed allows the shoe to keep your toes from going numb and allows for your foot to generate the most power in the most efficient manner.
The outsole of the shoe is reinforced by carbon fiber which helps reduce weight and provides stiffness and rigidity. The shoe comes in at a healthy 8.5 on the stiffness index. This should work for almost any cyclist out there. The Expert Road shoe uses a synthetic leather for the upper to help give it a stiff yet soft enough form fit. There are 6 mesh area’s in the upper that allow your foot to vent as well as two smaller mesh vents on the bottom of the shoe for breathability. For added traction and to help keep your touch points on the shoes from wearing out, Specialized added a small piece of plastic to the heel and toe. There are 3 cleat holes in the shoe that works with Look, Time, Speedplay, and Shimano SPD-SL cleats. I ended up using the Look Keo Blade pedals with this shoe and really liked the combination.
In the end, I think the Specialized Expert Road shoe is a perfect option for the cyclist that is looking to up the game and push their limits.
