The velcro is finally going on my current kickers. New shoes will be needed, and soon. My shoes won't be cross-able come the start of the season. Leaning towards Sidi Dominators right now. Anyone using them? What about Sidi Dragons?

Poll. What shoes are you using? Are they good for running? Why do you like them? And any other details you'd like to add.

I have used and abused a pair of Nike ACGs for the past three years. They aren't the best cross shoes out there, I'm guessing. They are heavy. My heel slips. No toe studs. Hard rubber sole nasty on anything slick and hard. A deep recessed cleat placement means that mud and crud packs around the cleat and clipping in becomes an adventure. Positives: Very tough. Nary a loose thread. Low cost.

I have a pair of Sidi Dominators. I moutain biked (exclusively and lots) from 1991-1999, have commuted from 1999 to the present and raced 'cross last year. I've owned two pairs of shoes. An original pair of Dominators and a replacement pair when that one wore out. They last.

As for performance? Well, the sole is kind of hard. I've not had a problem with that thus far. If I were buying right now, I might look around some but I've been really happy with my Sidis.

They take toe spikes and I just bought the Sidi toe spikes. They are long and aggressive and aren't made to use on pavement. Anyone have a recommendation for a less aggressive spike? I might just bust out the Dremmel and cut them down ... and maybe buy a long set if I know I won't have to run on pavement.

You can find 15mm spikes at www.gaernebike.com for $6 a set. I believe Sidi spikes are 20mm and cost twice as much.

track spikes, soccer spikes - they all use the same threading. Go to any reputable sporting goods supplier and you should be set up. I used to use golf spikes on mine for most things; they're shorter and sharper and seemed a lot grabbier on pavement, rocks, hardpack, etc... You will need the long-arsed 'mud studs' Sidi supplies if things ever get really sloppy on a steep runup tho. Trust me on this.

Farmpunker, to speak to your original question, I have the 2nd gen Dominators, bought in '97 or '98 when I was doing a lot of Sport MTB racing. They do indeed last... and last... and last... Mine still have all the original velcro and ratchets even. I beat the living heck out of 'em too. And they fit like a comfy old set of slippers.

I like the Sidi spikes because they don't break off as often. The stupid soccer spikes that many shoes ship with have a soft metal screw part that busts off flush with the sole requiring a drill out.

The sidi's are a little long but I have not had a problem with them.

The Dominators are a wonderful shoe. The buchles are not the best designed, but they work if you take care of them.

I bought a second from the top specialized this year and they are good, but a little narrow lasted for me.

Poll. What shoes are you using? Are they good for running? Why do you like them? And any other details you'd like to add.

Running shoes.
Yup! You read it right, running shoes. For whatever reason, I have this fear of crashing while being clipped in, & of course not being able to clip out before the point of no return. Not that wearing running shoes have prevented any crashes or saved me but ...

Pro: Really cheap. Have to do something with old running shoes. Very comfortable on the run.
Con: No traction (zip, zilch, nada) when the going gets tough on the run-ups, like trying to run up a hill with NHL quality fresh wet ice. Cannot attempt a bunny hop to save my life.

Running shoes.
Yup! You read it right, running shoes. For whatever reason, I have this fear of crashing while being clipped in, & of course not being able to clip out before the point of no return. Not that wearing running shoes have prevented any crashes or saved me but ...

Pro: Really cheap. Have to do something with old running shoes. Very comfortable on the run.
Con: No traction (zip, zilch, nada) when the going gets tough on the run-ups, like trying to run up a hill with NHL quality fresh wet ice. Cannot attempt a bunny hop to save my life.
Damn Arctic, wher do you live? Im gussing Canada?

Damn Arctic, wher do you live? Im gussing Canada?

I live in Montreal, Canada. Last year was my first CX season ever. I have never raced on a bike prior to that. This pic was taken in Ottawa at that the last race of the year at end of November, if I remember properly, at one of the OBC Cyclocross events. A fellow from MTBKanata was taking the pics. Had such a great time that I am looking very forward to riding in at least 5 races this season.
My 1st race in my home province was described by another as mountain-corss, single track all over, & a killer run-up (on sand), more of a climb-up as the course eroded. We got a nice rain right before the event started, just to add to the fun. Got hooked & the rest is history.

I mostly cyclocross in a pair of Sidi Adrenaline 2's that generally go pretty cheap -- it seems the "high-top" style never caught on with 'crossers & downhillers (the two rather diverse markets the shoe was pointed at) so they have been pretty easy to find at around $100-120 online or even special order through your LBS.

I have pretty flimsy ankles, so the extra support is nice, but there's a deep Achilles cut-out in the back, so there's no problem running in them. There's also a round plastic plate that protects the inside anklebone from smacks against the cranks, which is nice. Like most Sidi MTB shoes (except for the latest model), the plastic soles are pretty hard and make for sketchy footing on concrete or rocks. I cut up an old tubular and glued some of the tread inside the arch of the left shoe so that I could pre-release my left foot when appropriate for some dismounts and not worry about it slipping off the pedal.

I sometimes also use a pair of Addidas MTB shoes that do the job. For no particular reason, I tend to grab these first when heading out on the mountain bike.

As for spikes, I tend to prefer long soccer cleats -- every couple of years, I pick up a dozen long aluminum cleats at the local soccer/rugby store. I've used the Sidi spikes and keep them in my box for races with steep, deep-mud run-ups, but absent that very specific situation I've found that soccer cleats work much better here in Virginia. With our clay soils and deciduous trees, the narrow spikes tend to pick up leaves, then wet clay, then more leaves, then more clay, until you're running around with a pound or so of adobe hanging from each foot. The thicker soccer cleats tend to clear MUCH better around here.

Cheers!

03 Sidi Dominators, for muddy days I installed the Sidi Toe spikes. Currently running them with Eggbeater Twin Ti pedals, which I had from another bike which I sold off.

:)