[youtube width="610" height="343" align="left"]httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GXBJt1MFEE&hd=1

Sidi let us try their 2012 Dragon 3 shoe at their press camp in Monterey and sent us home with it. The shoe has been so good that I've done every ride with them including my road rides! As a user of seven year old Dragons and a couple Dominators, I was able to appreciate the familiar Sidi quality and the innovations that have gone into their latest iteration.

First, it retails for $449 and comes in either blue/white or black. For me, black is the hands down winner. It is a gloss black but it seems to be the right blend of shiny, graphics and texture. It seems to all flow together but a closer look reveals grey, gold stripes that complement the buckles, straps and textures that are functional as well.

The front of the shoe now sports a rubber armor to protect the shoe and the foot from impacts with rocks or other trail obstacles. The rear of the shoe sports what looks like a rear spoiler on a ferrari but it is actually a heel retention device. It is functional and innovative and it is designed to look good as well.



The sole of the shoe is beautiful carbon fiber so it's unfortunate that its pointed at the ground. The replaceable SRS sole is red and it feels softer than my old Dragon and definitely softer than any of the Sidi Dominator soles I've used before. The logic here is they're able to go with softer materials since the sole can be replaced a couple of times now to match the longevity of the upper shoe.

Fit:

Let's pause here for a second and talk about cycling shoe fit. The cyclist has three contact points: the hands, rear and feet. The serious cyclist will experience pain at one point or another and it is a sign of bad equipment or bad fit or bad posture. The shoe is the cause of much pain as it experiences the most pressure of all the contact points. So the proper shoe and the proper fit is critical. Often, when a cyclist experiences pain they:
  • stop riding or ride less
  • give up on the shoe
  • spend more money on a custom shoe.
The Sidi edict is a little different. They say, that if you experience pain with Sidi shoes or another brand, you are probably using the wrong size. That's why the Sidi Dominator line has over 80 sizes to find the proper fit for you. Wide, narrow, women's… they are confident that they can fit you. Another issue to be aware of is most people have feet that are sized differently. They recommend that you get the shoe that matches your larger foot. And if your feet as just several sizes apart, they'll make you a deal and break up a pair for you at cost so you can go home with mismatched shoes to match your feet without breaking the bank.



https://reviews.mtbr.com/2012-sidi-mountain-shoes-video-and-dragon-3-review/_v0g7046Riding with the Dragon 3:

I've had about 20 rides on these shoes and they've been a revelation. The shoes fit me perfectly and power transfer feels direct and responsive. I always thought I needed wider shoes since I always experience pain at the top of my feet. It turns out that my feet are normal but I've been overtightightening my upper straps to get a good fit with other shoes.

The Dragon 3 solution is their adjustable heel retention system. It is a device on the heel of the shoe that tightens the heel to fit your foot. There's two screws to tighten each side. It's a foreign concept initially but once you slip in and fit it properly then it makes sense. My shoe stays with my foot as I lift up even before I tighten my straps. What a concept! I get less heel movement and get a much more secure fit. The best part is I don't have to tighten my three upper straps that much. I just tension them a little bit and I'm able to get great pedaling action without killing the circulation on the top of my feet. Sidi finds that many cyclists over tighten their straps just to compensate for a shoe that is not made well or doesn't fit well.

Another nice touch are the new insoles. Unlike the ultra-thin insoles on my old Sidis, these have dual-density material and seem to offer more firmness on the cleat area. They offer more support than the old ones and seem to keep my feet more comfortable and secure.

The Retention System

Aside from the heel retention system, Sidi has three straps and buckles in the front and they have pretty much been perfected over the years. The first velco strap now has teeth to prevent the velcro from wearing out as this shoe is expected to last about a decade. The middle buckle is called a Techno II Buckle and it a precise way of adjusting the fit using a filament line. The last has a big pad that can be centered and it features the Sidi ratchet system that can be tightened and release in increments. It is now more intuitive to use than before. These three work in concert with each other to give the rider the perfect fit. Most riders ride Sidi for that perfect 'glove-like' fit and it certainly present here.

The Line-up

Of course not everyone can afford the Dragon 3 carbon shoe. The good news is the mountain line has four choices that exhibit the same qualities and share some features.

Dragon 3 Carbon SRS®




• Carbon SRS Sole® with grippy, replaceable tread
• NEW Integrated Rubber Toe Guard®
• Redesigned Adjustable Heel Retention Device®: The best heel closure available gets better, with a wider design, ventilated lower cut, and softer, more compliant material for improved comfort and efficiency.
• Caliper Buckle two-way ratchet for easy on-bike adjustment with incremental tightening and loosening
• Soft Instep Closure System® and padded tongue eliminate pressure points
• Patented Techno II Buckle System precision ratchet monofilament closure
• Dual Density Insoles
$449.99

Spider SRS Lorica®



• All-Lorica® upper provides feet with breathable protection from the elements
• Patented SIDI Sole Replacement System® (SRS®) for increased shoe life and optimal traction
• Integrated Rubber Toe Guard®• Caliper Buckle two-way ratchet for easy on-bike adjustment with incremental tightening and loosening
• Soft Instep Closure System® and padded tongue eliminate pressure points
Sizes 39-48 Standard, half-sizes 39.5-46.5
Black Vernice
$359.99

Dominator 5



• Caliper Buckle two-way ratchet for easy on-bike adjustment with incremental tightening and loosening
• Soft Instep Closure System® and padded tongue eliminate pressure points
• High Security Velcro® won't shift or slip
• Breathable, supple and durable vented Lorica® microfiber upper with cooling mesh panels
Sizes 38-52 Standard, half-sizes 38.5-46.540-52 Mega, half-sizes 40.5-46.540-52 Narrow, half-sizes 40.5-46.5
Black/Black
$259.99

Diablo GTX



• Insulated, waterproof Gore-Tex® upper keeps feet warm and dry
• Slightly roomier fit accommodates thicker winter socks
• Competition MTB Sole®
• Four Velcro® straps
• Optional toe spikes
Black
$329.99

The Downsides:

Of course, no shoe line is perfect for everyone. Some of the downsides are:
  • the heel retention system is only available in the $459 Dragon 3
  • the Dragon 3 is pricey and not ultralight
  • Sidi does not have a $150 shoe
  • No platform shoes are available
The Pitch:

At the end of the day, Sidi is an aspirational purchase. It is what many cyclists aspire to own when they have attained an enthusiast level in mountain biking. It is a brand like Chris King that attracts buyers with quality and reputation in the high end of the market. The good news is Sidi continues to innovate as we see in this new mountain bike line.

Sidi says their average customer owns their Sidi shoes for ten years. So in the grand scheme of things, the shoes are not cheap but they offer good value when amortized over many years of riding with a good fitting shoe.

On the Mtbr forums, a user named Gus started a thread titled '2001-2011'. When we viewed it, we saw a photo of 10 year old Sidis so beat up that they were zip tied and duct taped together. Beside it was a pair of brand new Sidis that he just bought. We asked him if he considered another brand of shoes and he said: "Are you kidding? Of course not."