Shimano S-PHYRE RC901 Shoe Review - feat. Dual IP1 Dials + Seamless Upper + Replaceable Heel Pad

The RC901 shoes are Shimano’s flagship shoes, and feature the latest construction and technology. With a retail price of $400 these shoes also carry a premium price tag to match the features. Underneath the distinctive exterior design which features a number of eye catching colors, the RC901s have a unibody carbon fiber construction to maximize power transfer between your feet and the pedals. Although these aren’t the lightest shoes on the market (our EUR 44 pair weighed in at 528grams), the seamless upper and stiff outsole ensure you maximize your performance on the road. Photos don’t do the RC9 shoes justice as they don’t capture the subtle color shifting finish. These shoes are gorgeous, particularly in the blue finish we reviewed, with a clean and modern design. Constructed from a synthetic microfiber, the uppers on the RC9s are seamless with a wrap-around design instead of a traditional center cutout and tongue. These second generation shoes also feature additional venting with larger perforations on the exterior, and a nylon mesh under the toe. Although the shoes lack the aggressive vents, we found that the breathable microfiber synthetic leather and perforations worked well to regulate temperature changes. They also feature a replaceable heel pad that ensures you can continue to wear these shoes for years to come without damaging the soles. With an outsole stiffness index of 12, the RC901 shoes (as well as the women’s version and RC901T triathlon version) are the stiffest shoes Shimano offers in their current lineup. The stiffer the outsole, the more direct power transfer you’ll have between your feet and the bike. While this means you’ll be theoretically faster, it can also potentially mean less comfort as the shoes are less forgiving. That’s why we were surprised how comfortable these shoes were on the road. With the provided arch support options and the one piece microfiber synthetic leather upper, the shoes provided a secure fit without any tension points even on long rides. Overall, we found that the S-PHYRE RC9 shoes nailed everything a flagship shoe should have. Particularly in the blue color, the subtle color shifting finish gives the RC9 a unique and premium appearance. The shoes also provide excellent power transfer to the bike while still providing excellent all-day comfort. Are the shoes worth the $400 retail price? No - from a purely quantitative perspective (Shimano’s RC5 or FLR F-XX II provides similar performance). Yes - from a more subjective perspective. The RC9 shoes feel and look special, thanks to the various carefully designed technical details and premium touches like the provided high-arch insole attachments. If the retail price doesn’t scare you away, the RC9 shoes are easy to recommend as a premium shoe that can maximize your performance for thousands of miles of riding. ~ 00:00 Intro 00:13 Unboxing + Specs 02:48 Fit + Finish 06:53 Riding Impressions 07:15 Comparison 08:41 The Final Score ~ Read The Full Review - https://thesweetcyclists.com/shimano-... Follow Us On Instagram -   / thesweetcyclists   ~ Shimano Website - https://bike.shimano.com/en-US/home.html ~