Specialized has revamped its top-end road shoes yet again, retaining the previous version’s pared-down approach but with a more refined fit and – at least in our opinion – a more pleasing and classic aesthetic. BikeRadar’s international crew has been testing the new S-Works 6 model on two continents (on opposite sides of the equator!) and, while there are a few minor quirks, we've found them exceptionally good overall.
Shoehorn not included
As good as the new shoes are, there’s a good chance your first impression of the new S-Works 6 shoes won’t be a positive one. Thanks to a newly aggressive external heel counter that pinches down around your Achilles’ tendon, grippy material inside the heel cup itself, and the lack of a quick-release function on the minimalist Boa S2 Snap cable reels, these suckers are certainly a little harder to put on than most other cycling shoes we’ve sampled. A shoehorn proves handy.
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The new external heel counter is very aggressively shaped, tapering sharply inward up top for a very secure heel hold
Once you get them on and start riding, however, it’s even more likely that any negative opinions will quickly change.
The fit is fantastic, with a reassuringly snug and shrink-wrapped feel around the middle of your foot and an almost ludicrously secure hold on your heel. Despite having essentially no padding on the tongue, the Boa cables don’t dig into the tops of your feet at all, even when cranked down far more than necessary. And while those Boa reels don’t have a quick-release function (the open-backed cable guides do help, however), the upside is a very small footprint that creates none of the pressure points that ones with a bigger base are sometimes prone to.
The comfort factor
Ride-ready from the outset
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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