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If you're going to be racing, the thrill of saving some cash will be soon be forgotten if you have to do four laps with a pedal umclipped. If you're just doing it to keep fit then extra cash is always good.The counterargument I'm hearing for cheaper shoes is that stuff gets wrecked in cyclocross easily, so cheaper stuff you can replace easily is better...
Andy
The main thing to get wrecked in CX is everyone's ego the first time they go arse over elbow in the first corner or puncture in the last lap, usually in front of friends and onlookers.
I forgot to mention one more supreme design flaw of the Sidis: the bottom plate is extremely prone to rust. I did not use enough grease when I installed the first set of cleats in them, and the bolts completely seized up. The guy at my LBS had to use an angle grinder and order a new bottom plate — which is also completely rusted. I forgot to check my cleats for a while, and again, the bolts were almost seized up even though I used ample grease this time.
Regarding gravel racing, there is a grinduro happening in Nagano in October ( I think). Places sold out within hours unfortunately. I know @xDOMx had a place and can't go so he was selling it. Not sure if the place is still available. The event ain't cheap though at around 30,000 yen if I remember rightly.
Do you get extra points for being able to do that without even engaging in CX?
At least in my experience, there is a difference between the two: Shimano pedals just work, even if you don't service them. The same can't be said for my Sidi shoes. Perhaps others are luckier than I am. I am just giving you my honest feedback. Those are my first pair of Sidis, and I didn't have any preconceptions going in (my other LBSs did not sell them). They have some plusses, e. g. that you can get replacement parts for your shoes. (I broke one of the clasps early on, which was squarely my fault, and all I needed to do was screw on a replacement.) But if my previous LBS had not employed some creativity and heavy machinery, I would have had to buy a new pair of cycling shoes just because the bottom plate is extremely prone to rust. That never happened with any of my previous cycling shoes.I've only ever used Sidi shoes in 18 years of cycling in Japan. I'm a fan and don't really feel the need to change. But that's probably just because they work for me. Kind of like Shimano road pedals, everyone is saying "use Speedplay!" but I'm thinking "If it ain't broke, don't fix it..."
At least in my experience, there is a difference between the two: Shimano pedals just work, even if you don't service them. The same can't be said for my Sidi shoes. Perhaps others are luckier than I am. I am just giving you my honest feedback. Those are my first pair of Sidis, and I didn't have any preconceptions going in (my other LBSs did not sell them). They have some plusses, e. g. that you can get replacement parts for your shoes. (I broke one of the clasps early on, which was squarely my fault, and all I needed to do was screw on a replacement.) But if my previous LBS had not employed some creativity and heavy machinery, I would have had to buy a new pair of cycling shoes just because the bottom plate is extremely prone to rust. That never happened with any of my previous cycling shoes.
And it makes sense to develop and affinity to them if you like their fit, style and they have worked for you in the past. I reckon some of the issues are not as severe for road shoes. E. g. you don't expect to walk well in road shoes and the heat issue I could be remedied if I had bought another model (although I don't know whether those are available in wide). Plus, I do appreciate their policy when it comes to replacement parts, I have never heard that being an option when it comes to other cycling shoe manufacturers.Yeah I can't really compare as I've only ever used Sidis.
Do you have a link to a map of the course, @andywood? I couldn't find one through the link.Just checked the link for that and it's actually in Madarao here in Niigata.
Grinduro - Japan 2021
THE ULTIMATE PARTY-TO-RACE RATIO. Riding bikes all day is only half the fun of Grinduro. Riders will be treated to gourmet food, camping and an art & bike exhibit.grinduro.com
So I may just follow the course at some point. There is also a gravel pass over Mt. Myoko (maybe it's part of the Grinduro ride) that I've always wanted to do.
Andy
I'm guessing they will be keeping it under wraps until the event.
Best bet is to wait until after the event, then snag a Strava upload of the ride.
You are probably right that it's all on open roads , but there might be some sections on private land. I might have just dreamed it but that might have been the case with the Rapha Prestige a few years ago, where the organisers had to get permission from the land owner.If you really wanted to ride it, it's on open roads, so there is nothing to stop you just rolling up and following the course, much like some do for events like Tokyo~Itoigawa.
Andy