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So my old 5 10s are really not going to last much longer, I have been patching them for a while now.
I have read that the newer 5-10s have some quality issues with the soles delaminating
So what does the oracle recommend for general freeride/cross country riding?
Ta!
Five Tens
Giro Jackets are pretty good. I've had no issues with my FiveTen Freerider Contacts though.
Specialized 2FO. Love mine, v light, v quick drying, stiff enough for higher mileage on flats and the sole is great.
These are nice [url= http://www.adidas.co.uk/terrex-trailcross-sl/BB0714.html ][/url]
Missus has Five Ten Freeriders and some 2FO. She's not keen on the 2FO, says the Five Ten have a lot more grip.
Although I did suggest that her pins on the pedals were quite worn down. Might be a different story with the 2FO and new pins.
There isnt a massive amount of choice, Five Tens have most of the market. The new Adidas Terrex Trail ones dont look too bad using the same sole as five Tens, but are expensive at just under £100.
Thanks people
Quicker drying would be an advantage as my current 5-10s take days even with newspaper stuffings
Another vote for the Jackets - they not a cheap option (I managed to get mine for £50 a few years ago).
They don't grip quite as well as my 5 10 Freeriders, but the sole is slightly stiffer so I find them better for pedaling in and they don't absorb water like my 5 10's do.
Thanks people
Quicker drying would be an advantage as my current 5-10s take days even with newspaper stuffings
the 2F0 has a 'honeycomb' style fabric construction for the upper which aids drying massively in my experience- never had to go down the newspaper route. They also have good toe protection too.
Although I did suggest that her pins on the pedals were quite worn down. Might be a different story with the 2FO and new pins.
I found the grip great with Saints in the longer pin configuration, but as an experiment decided to buy a handful of 12mm allen bolts and with those, the grip was insane-never went back to the original pins after that. So pin combination and height is a valid point you're right-though that applies to all pedals really. The portion of the pin protruding from the pedal body with spacer in place is, from memory, in the region of 6mm-they are savage but really gel with the 2F0. Horrific slop this weekend and never slipped a pedal.
Since Shimano made a mess of the AM41 Flats last summer I switched to 510 Freerider Elements and they're amazing (more grip than the Shimanos for sure). No problems for most riding - except freezing + wet where they suffer the same as the AM41s did - i.e. suck it up and get heavy and cold.
I've just got some 510 Freerider EPS High with PermaLoft and they've fended off the wet winter rides really well and I've had toasty toes for the whole ride in sub zero temps recently and because they didn't suck in water they haven't taken much time to dry out at all. I'll swap back to the Elements when it gets a bit warmer and less wetter.
I also like the higher sides on the FR EPS High for ankle protection which I liked on the AM41s too but missed when moving to the 510 Freerider Element lows.
One downer on 510 flats is walking up slick muddy slopes is almost impossible - you have to dig the side of the shoes in on the edges to get any grip when it's really really bad. The AM41s weren't a lot better though. So those Adidas hybrid shoes might win out on that if they do well on the bike too.
Can't help since Teva stopped making Links, but I've been looking at the Adidas ones with the grippy sole but don't know anyone who owns any for real world experience.
If you like the grip of 5-10's then very (if any) other shoes will substitute.
The 2FO's are a better upper than the 5-10's but the grip (or lack of) is terrible. All you have to do is fee the sole & you will see why, it's rock hard compared to 5-10 rubber.
2 rides a pair I had lasted for. Total junk. They are also really stiff, so it's hard to feel anything through the sole.
Shame as I really rated the clipless version.
My impact VXi's are in thief last legs, I'm just waiting for the new freerider pro's to come out & will give them a try next 🙂
Five Ten Freerider EPS.
Not perfect but probably the best I've tried.
Can't help since Teva stopped making Links
The worst riding shoes I've ever bought! Hated them - grip was poor and the sole was way too thick to feel anything through my feet.
They've been fine for 'mucky job' shoes though.
These are nice [url= http://www.adidas.co.uk/terrex-trailcross-sl/BB0714.html ][/url]
Just brought a pair they are on par with my old 5:10 impacts in terms of pedal feel. they are quite stiff soled which personally like but i have had to swap the insoles as they are fancy ones and very thick. they are narrower that my old impacts so i don't get them wedged up against the crank as much which is a plus. I have not tried newer 5:10 models like the elements so don't know how they compare in terms of pedal feel.
Five Ten FreeRider Elements for me
Five Ten Freerider Elements VXi are working for me at the moment, my first flat shoes in decades after switching back from SPD's 6 weeks ago. The pedal grip is fantastic with DMR Vaults and they're handling the wet and cold weather pretty well, I went up half a size to accommodate thick socks which has helped I think.
I've just ordered some Spesh 2FO's to try out in the Spring/Summer, I'm after something that will be comfortable on longer all day rides and the stiffer platform they offer looks like it might fit the bill along with good ventilation. They were also only £60 whereas most of the top end Five Tens are around £100. Just hope they're grippy enough as I'm still getting used to flats and have got used to the sticky Five Ten rubber now.
i bought some of the adidas terrex things.
comfy from the off, as grippy as 5/10 and not as wide. i like em so far.
i bought some of the adidas terrex things.
comfy from the off, as grippy as 5/10 and not as wide. i like em so far.
Got some last summer so have had plenty of rides on them. Extremely grippy, extremely comfortable and look good enough to wear as normal trainers. really, really impressed - same sole as a 5/10 therefore same grip, but a better built shoe, imo. Even down to the lace bungee. Resist the water well and come up a treat with a damp cloth wipe over.
Also, if you are a first time buyer on the Adidas site, you get a 15% discount, go through topcashback or quidco and get another 10% off or so - bought mine down to around 70 quid.
Thanks again to you all!
I use an old set of Vans that had worn through so were no longer being used.
Only whats necessary shoes!