Considering new MTN shoes: Giro Privateer or Mavic Rush

[thecyclingeconomist]

Negative on the Mavic’s… the ratchet dug into my ankle. I had ridden them too far to return them, and it ended as a complete waste of $150. Grrr! I prefer Diadora Ergo’s or Shimano; havn’t tried the Giro’s. I’ve owned two pairs of Mavics, and haven’t liked either for a sum of $325 wasted.

[Dirt]

I’ve ridden similar models to both. Bottom line: it is all about the fit. Both shoes fit me very well, but sizing was critical. I couldn’t have mail-ordered those shoes. Go to the shop and wear them around inside for quite a while to avoid issues like TCE had with the buckles digging into his foot.

I liked the Mavic shoes quite a bit. Their fit and quality were very nice. I still use them now and then… but only when my Giros are wet or waiting for new cleats.

The Giros are the most comfortable mtb shoes I’ve ever worn. The ones I’ve got are the model above the Privateer. They were in the low $200s. I bought them a year ago with my REI dividend. I’m extremely hard on shoes and I expect expensive shoes to last. I got tired of having to replace $250-300 Sidis every 2 or 3 years. The Giro footbeds are the first that I’ve used that I didn’t want to replace with aftermarket insoles. The ratchet mechanism works very well. Riding a mountain bike fixie, I beat the living daylights out of shoes, pedals and cranks. In the last 12 months I’ve broken 2 cranks and 2 sets of pedals. I’m still on my first pair of shoes.

If they fit you and are comfortable, I think the Privateer would be a very good choice. I’ll likely be getting a pair in the next month or so to insure that I’ve got a good back-up pair of shoes. Freshbikes had a pretty good size range the last time I checked.

[bluerider]

Justin and Dirt,
Thanks for the recommendations. Right now I am leaning towards the Giro Privateer. I tried on a pair and really liked them. Very comfortable and the ratch. I like the Mavics but finding a dealer that carries them has been difficult. Baltimore Bicycle Work has them but not in my size. I would feel guilty having them order my size into the store and then not like them. I tried on the one size too small. Felt good except for the shortness. I am a little concerned by the flexibility of the Mavic sole as well.

So the Privateer is my top choice to replace my Shimano M220s (I thinks that the model). They are from about 2004-5….sadly (bright blue, carbon sole). They just aren’t comfortable anymore and insoles haven’t helped much. So its well past time.

[Dirt]

Talk to the folks at Freshbikes about their plans. I *think* they are carrying more Mavic stuff this year in the clothing line. They may go back to carrying some Mavic shoes too. They’ve got quite a bit of the helmets and clothes in stock already and I think will be getting more.

As for your old Shimanos… Is it possible that a new set of fancy-pants insoles could revive them? I had an old pair of Shimano road shoes die a while back and when I needed something to fit in when my main 2 pairs were wet, I just stuffed my fancy insoles into the old shoes and they felt as good as new. The Shimanos are now back in rotation after collecting dust for over a year.

[bluerider]

Thanks Dirt,
Your knowledge of what works and what doesn’t, what breaks and what doesn’t, and what sucks and what doesn’t is a much appreciated resource. Thanks for your willingness to share and allow others to learn from your mistakes.

[Dirt]

@bluerider 48617 wrote:

… and allow others to learn from your mistakes.

I make plenty of those mistakes. I’m happy they are a benefit to y’all.

[DaveK]

I have the Giros one step above the Privateer as well (Code). I love them. I’m a cheap bastard but I found a great deal on these so I jumped on it. The fit is amazing, the soles are stiff, and they are very light. Great shoes and I’d recommend them.

My only complaint, and I’ve never had this happen with any other pair of shoes, is that they hold a stench like nothing I’ve ever seen. I have a couple of things to try (dishwasher is one suggestion, another is putting them in the freezer overnight in a sealed bag) but if I can’t get them cleaned out then they’ll have to live outside. Which in my neighborhood means they’ll get stolen. Anyone ever seen the Seinfeld episode when his car gets BO? I think in a few weeks I’d have a homeless guy begging me to take them back.

[bluerider]

Everyone,
Thanks for your help. I just bought some Giro Gauge (one step above) the Privateer on clearance at Performance Bike for $142. The fit great and have the multi-insole adjustment system and a decent price for carbon soles. I went for it. As I matter of fact, they had Giro Codes, Mavic Fury and lots of other high-end shoes there on clearance. The Fury’s were bright bright yellow.

Looking forward to the first ride with the Gauge’s

[Dirt]

I was in Proteus last week and noticed that they’ve got a great selection of Mavic shoes in stock! Very cool to have a local source for them.

[Author]

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