As the title suggests I am going to purchase a pair of Specialized BG Comp MTB Shoes either the 09 or 10 ones and just wanted to make sure i was not doing a silly thing. I have not found much bad press about them. They will be my first SPD shoe.

no reason i can think of 🙂

i'd try before buying like any mtb shoe. Some can be quite crammed in the toe box, others quite narrow fit. Remember you'll be using them in all weather so when trying them on wear a good thick pair of socks

I've got some, find them pretty good although only use them for the road. They are bigger than the Shimano shoes I have. If they still have the mesh toe box, you'll get cold toes in winter 😉

I think they're great. Very comfortable, but I've got scrawny feet so try before you buy.

I got a set of North Wave Lizards for less than half the price of a set of comps, so there's one reason.

They come up pretty good on the size front, I wear a UK10 shoe/trainer but would need a 45 in the comps, they're wider and have a much better toe box/protection area than the experts.

very "airy" as ^ they said – but waterproof socks are great for cold dry days (if you have room for them)

I have 2 pairs – one pair are 6 years old and the other is 1 years old. Very reliable, comfy (am a size 46) but the old ones are wearing on the inner heel so I avoid these on long (6hrs+ rides, hence the new pair!). Along with XTR pedals they've been the most reliable things on my bikes for 10 years. Highly recommended.

My advice – as I have 2 pairs – is order 1 Euro size up as they tend to be a little narrow initially.

Overbooties in the winter.
Lizard Skinz merino socks all year 'round.

Sorted!

Thanks for all the good feedback look like i have nothing to loose as i have waterproof socks which i will take when i try them on.

I can't fault mine – worn them every day for a couple of years
.
maybe I could fault the buckles which can catch on stuff – I ripped one off on a fence and the spring has broken on another, and they catch on overshoes
but you can buy replacements

The 09 ones have the three velcro straps with no springs so maybe better if i look at them?

I bought a pair of 2010's and broke them after one ride. Well it was a cross race, I fell on a soft bit of grass and the ratchet strip got ripped off on one of the shoes. Where the ratchet strip is sewn into the flap over the front of the foot the plastic is very thin and flimsy (guess that's to make it easier to sew into the flap) All credit to Specialized who replaced them straight away, except this time I went for the experts. Just 3 velcro straps which fit nicely on top of the shoe and wont get caught so easily in a tumble. This is the only time I have ever had an issue with specialized shoes and I will continue to buy them, they are just sooo comfey!

Have a pair of last years Sport ones…excellent shoe and replaced my 8 year old pair of Spesh BG Sport shoes that finally wore out.

Tried the ratchet models but felt it just wasn't required with the 3 velcro fasteners…my older pair had 2 velcro fasteners and they did the job fine.

sorry, I mean the bit that holds the ratchet strip got ripped off.

Velcro straps are better, especially as some over booties can loosen the ratchet (always on my R shoe!) on occations.

Do you find they are a case of fit and forget and can i put them in the washing machine to clean or will they fall apart?

The only niggle I have with mine is the ratchet as it sticks, which it seems will not be an issue on the new ones. Otherwise very happy with them.

only problem i have found with my spesh comp shoes is the little phillips head screw that holds the top strap on, on the inside of the shoes eats crank arms quickly! my feet float alot meaning all my cranks have big grooves in um :0(
Apart from that, great shoe. normally wear a pair of seal skins with um as they are very well ventilated.

They split along the stitching on the outside of the toebox. There are two panels, each with a seam. The shoes fall apart along there.

Otherwise, very good.

GO for the three velcro strap ones. they get great write ups i've had mine for a couleof years and have been willing them to fall apart so i can buysomething sparkly but they still go strong.