Taking its cue from Pearl Izumi's range topping PRO Leader II shoe, the Elite RD IV is a well designed, comfortable and stiff road shoe that brings high-end features to a more modest price point.
- Highs: Comfortable, stiff, light, easy to adjust on the fly and with great heel security
- Lows: Heel and toe bumpers aren't replaceable
- Buy if: You want high performance, excellent comfort and pro looks
The 'Elite' grade uni-directional carbon sole uses the same material as Shimano's range and completely banishes memories of flexiness from Pearl Izumi's range of a few years ago. Weighing only 580g a pair (size 45), they're only 35g heavier than the PRO Leader II shoes, yet considerably cheaper.
The Elite 1:1 power plate outsole design has thick inboard and outboard ridges for strength while the concave interior means a stack height of just 6.5mm, getting the foot closer to the pedal axle for maximum pedalling efficiency.
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It's an almost unyielding base that only the most committed ham-fisted twisting can affect รข€“ and one that's obviously stiff and stable while out on the road, with no sense of lost power.
There are two mesh vents under the toebox and another larger one behind the three-bolt cleat fixing, which is reinforced and also has around 3mm of fore-aft adjustment built-in. In tandem with cleats themselves, the moulded heel and toe bumpers have protected the sole well over a couple of hundred miles of testing, but they aren't replaceable.
Feelings of rigidity and strength while riding are down in part to the light weight, fully bonded seamless upper and the security of the Boa retention system, the dial for which sits in the centre of a thickly padded tongue. This placement means the shoe is tightened evenly over the top of the foot, which helps avoid pinch points and hotspots.
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