Shoes | 2012 Sidi Ergo 3 Vent Carbon Shoes

2012 Sidi Ergo 3 Vent Carbon Shoes

2012 Sidi Ergo 3 Vent Carbon Shoes

List Price: $499.99 

Your Price: $399.99 

You Save: $100.00 (20%)

What do soles, buckles, dials, straps, pillows and a screwdriver have in common? Give up? These are elements you will find in each of SIDIโ€™s top of the line shoes, the cycling shoe by which all others are measured. But these are not shoes for the fly by night rider. These shoes are designed by professional cyclists, for professional cyclists. And they are worth every penny. Read on and you will see why.

The carbon sole is designed for flexibility in the arch and toe where you need it most. The Carbon sole of the Ergo 3 Carbon shoe follows the previously successful designs of the SIDI models that came before it. Like several other successful SIDI shoes, theyโ€™ve chosen to use full carbon for the sole of the shoe. Offering a smooth finish where it meets the insole. The reason for full carbon is exceptional strength and durability. Most carbon soled shoes on the market use foam or cardboard as the base and just wrap carbon around it. Amateurs! SIDI noticed that when the shoe would get wet the insert would deteriorate. Not good. Unless you live in the arid deserts of Arizona or Southern Nevada, chances are you will face those wet rides frequently. We donโ€™t know about you, but if we pay this kind of money for anything, it had better not wimp out when wet.


Another feature of these full carbon soles is the specialized grid design that adds thickness where it needs to be stiff (like the heel) and thinner layers where it needs flex (like the toes). You may not be able to see the actual grid, but a lot of science went in to this shoe to remove any uncomfortable hot spots while still providing the support you need to push hard enough to win the race. Plus, the Ergo 3 model has a Carbon โ€œLiteโ€ Sole which makes it 50ish grams lighter than the previous sole design.

Under the full carbon soles is a layer of cork that will not deteriorate in wet riding conditions. Sidi used the cork to reduce vibration throughout the entire foot while providing a deeper stiffness where needed. To help with the natural cooling properties of the cork are vents, which are new for this year. With the ability to open or close the front, the Ergo 3 Vented carbon allows for further cooling of your feet. In the wet or cold months, close the front vent to keep your feet dry. No other shoe on the market so intricately balances power transfer and foot health.

Moving on to the buckles, dials, and straps. It takes more than a few pieces of Velcro, or even worse, a shoelace, to make a perfect fit. And when we say perfect fit, we mean that down to the nth degree. Like the Ultra SL buckle that allows you to micro-adjust the strap pressure to fit your upper perfectly so your shoes will never be too loose or too tight. The Ultra SL connects to a soft Arch Compression Strap (code name ACS) that spreads the pressure of your upward stroke evenly across the top of your foot. The Ultra SL buckle gives you four clicks per uptake combined with half-click releases for uber-exact precision adjustments. Yep, when we say perfect fit, we mean perfect fit! Oh, and the good old ACS is not the only buckle.

There is a second buckle called the Techno II which is positioned across the middle of your foot for precise adjustment around your instep. The Techno II is secured by a monofilament line and a dial to precisely control pressure, even while youโ€™re riding. Thatโ€™s right, with some practice, you can twist a little half moon dial to loosen or tighten the Techno II strap if you should feel a hot spot coming on while riding. And after a few hours on the bike, this feature can be the difference between first place and fiftieth.

The Ultra SL buckle covers the upper adjustments. The Techno II covers the instep. At your toes youโ€™ve got a high security Velcro strap that Sidi calls the fastener security system. This strap has integrated locking polymer teeth that engage onto each other providing a highly important immovable grip. There will be no slippage here.

Connecting all the buckles, dials, and straps is breathable, supple, durable Lorica microfiber uppers with cool ballistic mesh inserts to keep your feet cool and comfortable even on marathon rides. The Lorica microfiber cleans up easily and the ballistic mesh is as durable as a bullet proof vest while still allowing your feet to breathe.

Now, if you are typically a tight buckler to protect your heels and ankles, this shoe has plenty of buckles and straps to tighten, but you may not have to. One of the coolest features is one you wonโ€™t find on any other shoe outside the SIDI line. Itโ€™s called the HSS, which stands for Heel Security System. Hidden in the heel is a molded plastic band that is molded around the back of the shoe to provide security and stability for your heel and ankle, preventing power robbing heel lift. This is where the screwdriver comes in. At the heel are two tiny little screws that adjust each side of the HSS independently to mold to your foot perfectly. It is a particularly useful feature for those of us with thin ankles. The intricate adjustment will keep your heel from lifting on the upstroke. The adjustable Heel Security System will protect your Achilles tendon no matter how hard youโ€™re cranking on those pedals. With this adjustable heel, you will no longer need to cut off the circulation to the rest of your foot just to keep your Achilles heel from kicking your proverbial butt.

Letโ€™s see, weโ€™ve covered soles, buckles, dials, straps, and the screwdriver, all that is left is the pillow. These shoes are so comfortable that you will feel like you are riding on pillow cushions. We wish we could mind meld this feeling to you so you could feel it for yourself. You know, youโ€™ve been there, after a long ride your feet get sore. Theyโ€™ve worked hard. You know that every shoe youโ€™ve tried in the past there have been hotspots, sore uppers, cramped toes, or all of the above. Like us, you probably just figure that is part of the ride. Not so with the SIDI Ergo 3 series shoes. These puppies are so incredibly comfortable that you will never, ever go back to another brand again. Itโ€™s no surprise that virtually every first place winner in every big race weโ€™ve seen in the past few years is wearing a pair of SIDI shoes.

If you are serious about riding and do not wish to forsake comfort for durability, you have got to get yourself a pair of these shoes. There is no shoe on the market that compares. The SIDI Ergo 3 will literally last through decades of riding, you may never have to buy another pair of shoes again. Especially since all SIDI shoes are fully repairable and all the small parts like the buckles and straps are replaceable. Thatโ€™s right, if something breaks, SIDI is there by your side to fix it. They stand behind their shoes, through thick and thin. Even as normal wear and tear occur, SIDI will be there to repair them for you. SIDI is serious about service and shoes. Say that three times fast.

Note - Sidi shoes tend to run small. We recommend going with the next size up in many cases (euro size). Sole fits Look, Time, Speedplay, Mavic, and Shimano 3 hole bolt patterns. (These are not the Speedplay version - we aren't stocking those).