In the world of cycling shoes, Sidi has been crowned the top dog for quite sometime. Their “Nothing fits champions like Sidi” slogan is backed up with a strong race history and high quality shoes for racers and beginners alike. Recently, Sidi announced a 8-12% price reduction to their shoe lineup across the board to help with the struggling economy and the fluctuating Euro vs. Dollar ratio making their cycling shoes a little bit more affordable than previous MSRP’s.
Released on March 10, 2009:
Veltec Sports, the U.S. distributor of top performing, Italian-made Sidi cycling shoes, announced today that it is reducing Sidi prices to help consumers get into a pair more easily. As of March 9, 2009, all Sidi cycling shoes at the retail level will have an 8-15 percent lower price.
The price decrease is related to the anticipated drop in the Euro. Veltec is anticipating lower prices in 2010 and wants to pass that along to customers at the start of the 2009 cycling season.
“Now that there is some renewed confidence in the US dollar, we are passing the benefits of a lower Euro on to the consumer” said Manfred Krikke, CEO of Veltec Sports. “A tough economic environment causes a lot of stress for consumers and retailers and riding is a great way to blow off some steam. Great fitting shoes are essential to a good riding experience. As the most experienced riders all know, a Sidi shoe fits like a glove and lasts for years.”
Famed cyclist, Paolo Bettini says of his Sidi’s, “In the course of a career a cyclist changes many things: jerseys, bicycles, direction, often teammates and opponents. Only one thing has never changed in all this time, the shoes I use. My Sidis have followed me to every corner of the world. They are a symbol of the many great successes that I have achieved to the music of my pedaling from victories in the Italian National Championships, to the successes in Stuttgart thru Athens and Salzburg.”
More about Sidi
From sidiusa.com
Here’s an interesting fact. When pro riders get to choose the brand of cycling shoes they use, more professional cyclists choose Sidi than all other brands. Combined. Or here’s another one. What’s the #1 shoe brand among bike shop employees when they have to buy those shoes out of their own hard-earned paychecks? Sidi again.
Finally, a little history. Used to be there were two kinds of cycling shoes. The handmade European kind. And everything else. And you know what? There still are. Except that now there’s only one 100% European brand of cycling shoe left in the USA market. So exactly how does Sidi continue to survive and prosper against all those less expensive Asian brands? Or to put it another way, what do all those racing professionals and bike shop employees know that so many other cyclists apparently don’t? Well, we could tell you. But it’d be so much more fun to go to your nearest Sidi Authorized Fit Center. And see for yourself.
A cyclist from the age of 15, Dino Signori founded SIDI (the company takes its name from his initials) in 1960. In the beginning SIDI was a craftsman’s workshop manufacturing mountain sports footwear, but the company gradually dropped these lines to follow Dino’s passion for two-wheeled sports. Now in its fifth decade, the SIDI tradition continues under the direction of the Signori family.
Sidi Dominator 6 Carbon MTB Cycling Shoe
Out of all of the shoes in Sidi’s lineup, the Dominator 5 is the most popular go-to model on the price versus feature comparison. For this review, I wanted to put the Dominator 6 through its paces to try out one of the less talked about models. The Dominator 6 is a step above the 5 and with that…comes a heavier price tag but more features.
- Carbon Sole Replacement System (SRS)
- vented, reflective heel cup
- Heel Security System prevents power robbing heel lift
- Breathable, supple, durable Lorica Microfiber Upper with cooling mesh inserts
- Caliper buckle for easy on-the-bike fit adjustment
- Soft instep closure system and padded tongue eliminate pressure points
- High Security Velcro® won’t shift or slip
- Optional toe spike
One of the most notable upgrades over the Dominator 5 is the Hell Security System.
The HSS reinforces the top of the heel cup and improves fit by closing the back of the shoe more securely around the rider’s ankle. The HSS adjusts 6mm on either side with the turn of a screw. For a custom adjustment turn the screw towards the + sign to close (or tighten) the heel retention device and towards the – sign to open it. The Adjustable HSS is available aftermarket to upgrade 2007 and 2008 Sidis.
First Thoughts on the Sidi Dominator 6
Having previously owned a set of Sidi Dominator 5’s, I had a pretty good idea what to expect from the Dominator 6’s out of the box. The Sidi’s are crafted out of high quality leather with multiple adjustments and their trademark High Security Velcro. The Dominator 6 MTB shoes carry a hefty $429 price tag depending on your retailer preference and at that price…you should be getting the best of the best when it comes to mountain biking shoes. The Dominator 6’s are incredibly light and their carbon platform provides a stiff sole that doesn’t rob power to the pedals. The heel adjustment is a welcomed upgrade over the 5’s for riders like me that have long, narrow feet. Now we can adjust the rear so slipping during riding is kept at a minimum.
I am incredibly tough on shoes with technical riding, hike-a-bikes and creek crossings, so these shoes are going to see the worst of the worst as I literally try to destroy them on the trail. Stay tuned to Mountain Biking by 198 as I start to really get these Dominator 6’s dirty on the trail.
