Currently go some Shimano R170. Sadly after a disappointing 2 seasons use they are coming to the end of their life as the toe is coming unstuck and some of the stitching going. They’ve had hard life over the two years, raced, trained, toured in all weathers so not unexpected that a light weight shoe is showing age.

Would like to replace them with something around the £125 mark.

Less ventilated would be good. I really like my XC51N which are just race xc shoes with the vents replaced by normal fabric so they keep my feet warmer. In Newcastle I don’t get hot feet as much as I get wet feet.

Black would be nice as they would look better longer.

Stiff and Carbon with a fit close to shimano. I’d get the R171 but I can’t find a decent price on the black ones and would rather not have the vents.

Any suggestions?

Sadly £125 is not much for stiff carbon shoes now, even the own brand Planet-X shoes are £160. The shoes I suspect you, and indeed I, want are the Specialized Audax shoes, £200 though.

Fizik R3B, £220 but suspect you might get the non-boa versions a fair bit cheaper.

Sadly £125 is not much for stiff carbon shoes now

Bont Riots or others on sale at Wiggle will hit your budget and though some of the cheaper ones use fibreglass rather than carbon fibre, you won’t tell the difference and they’re amazingly stiff but still comfortable due to the mouldable sole. I have cheap ones and they’re better than any other road shoe I’ve used regardless of cost.

They’re not overly vented either (though I’ve found them fine even in 30+ temperatures but I’ve also been ok in my XC50N in those temps too so I’m wondering if even the lighter constructed shoes really make much difference to how cool your feet stay.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/bont/?o=2

I did at one point buy some Fizik but sent them back. Are they all the same shape, I found the arch way too high for me.

The Specialised ones are nice maybe birthday present…

I quite like the styling of the Giro ones as well.

I did at one point buy some Fizik but sent them back. Are they all the same shape, I found the arch way too high for me.

I tried the R3’s on before to check, there wasn’t a lot of difference from what I recall so maybe no good.

I would be really pleased with my Giro Apeckx but I’m having real trouble with pain around the cleat area which I’ve never experienced before in a road shoe. Don’t know if it’s just because the sole isn’t as stiff as I’m used to (last road shoes were Specialized carbon soles) or some other factor.

Weirdly the problem mostly goes away the longer I ride, but for short rides it’s a bit of a problem.

Basically try them with cleats before you buy! (if poss)

spiuk zs15r (2 and 3 bolt) or zs15rc (3 bolt only) …. ?

got the r171 and ace, but 3 bolt only. tried xc61 and they have no
seal between cleat and insole so very wet feet 🙁

what size ? i have some s-works in white/black for sale.

Do like the look of those Spesh Audax shoes.

Giro Trans £150, although well under that price on sale for the older version around £100 now that there is a 2015 Trans EC70 model out there

one of the best value / performance shoes on the market, with Easton carbon sole

available in normal and high volume versions, which are more suitable for bigger feet or if running an anatomic footbed with shims / wedges

just watch out if you need Varus / Valgus adjustment as the Easton shoes come with a “neutral” footbed which has a Retul-designed arch support system but no Varus or Valgus adjustment, I use a Specialized BG blue footbed with shims in mine

You’ve had the best shoes for the price already. Lots of shops were selling those R170s for under £100. Nothing comes close; if they fit then buy them again. If you want shoes that last, then get Sidis, but you’ll be spending closer to £200 for one with a decent sole.

Also; put some tape over the vents or wear some oversocks.

Check Sidi Cafe and Ebay for cheap Sidi’s if you go down that route.

I did at one point buy some Fizik but sent them back. Are they all the same shape, I found the arch way too high for me.

FWIW I believe the first models were more “extreme” and later versions have been toned down.

For selected sizes

http://www.hibike.de/shop/product/pcf4a5db779e2376ffe657eff9c208061/sS35b2e412f8f7cfec3346d00e846e8b0f/Specialized-74-Road-Schuhe-Mod-2014.html

If by some random chance you’re a 45 I’ve some 2 ride old Bontranger RL shoes that I’m not getting along with (I’ve gorilla width feet and thought bontranger might be wider than shimano, they’re actually quite similar, maybe a smidgen wider but not enough).

Cost £120, soles covered in helitape, uppers unmarked. Make an offer?

Just seen PX are doing their carbon soled shoes for £99 at the moment. Not bad looking shoes and reviews seem good too.

So I’ve ignored all your advice.

I found some of the specialised audax shoes in a shop and they are very nice but too pricey.

In the end I went for some Giros but in looking for the Trans, came across some Factors half price.

https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=66751&categoryID=217

I may have to wait a little longer for someone to come up with a “classics” early season road shoe.