The Specialized 2FO Roost Clip mountain bike shoes are a casual pair of clip-ins with minamalist looks and a slightly bendy sole. They’re best for chilled rides where a stiff, efficient shoe isn’t of the utmost importance.
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The Roost is a new addition to the 2FO range, and takes a more ‘casual, relaxed’ approach than the main range. The Roost comes in both clip-in and a flat pedal versions, with these SPD types priced at £110 – cheaper than the aforementioned 2FO 2.0 lace up variety by £40.
The 2FO Roost is designed as both a riding shoe and one that looks good at the pub afterwards. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s particulary good at either. Maybe I just don’t get the school plimsole vibe…
Pub aesthetics aside, the Roost has a SlipNot FG rubber sole – a variation of that found on the 2FO flats – and a synthetic upper. The sole isn’t the grippiest when walking in the mud, but it does grip the pins of a pedal well.
The upper has a suede look about it. It’s quick to let water through and not that supportive to the upper foot either; I found my foot rolling to the outside of the shoe. On the upside the whole shoe is pretty light, and it’s quick drying too.
Inside the sole hides what Specialized calls its Stiff Lollipop nylon composite plate. It’s not that stiff though, which isn’t great for pedalling effiency, but the bendiness does make it comfy when off the bike.
There’s also detectible pressure up through from the cleat under pedalling, which is obviously at its worst if your pedals have no outer cage. The adjustment is good, at least, and the cleat can be positioned nicely rearward. There’s enough movement to accommodate all kinds of rider preferences.
The Roost shoes are lace-up only. There’s a lace tidy to secure the ends, but it’s unfortunatly too loose to work and the laces quickly spring free.
Serious pedallers and gravity fans will probably find theses shoes too flimsy and unprotective, but if you’re looking for a lightweight trail shoe that’s suitably ‘casual’, then at £110 these are a fair price given the similar Shimano AM7 costs the same – though that has better weather protection alongside, to be fair, its own set of downsides too.
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