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dhb R1.0 Road Cycling shoes dhb R1.0 Road Cycling shoes dhb R1.0 Road Cycling shoes dhb R1.0 Road Cycling shoes
dhb R1.0 road shoe

dhb R1.0 Road Cycling shoes

9
by David Else
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published May 23, 2012

4
£49.99

VERDICT:

9
10
Light and comfortable road shoes, perfect for training, sportives and entry-level racing
Weight: 
830g
Contact: 
www.wiggle.co.uk
How we test

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The dhb range of cycle clothing has a reputation for good value and these new R1.0 road shoes are no exception. They're light, stiff and comfortable, making them ideal for training, sportives and entry-level racing.

The R1.0 moniker indicates that these shoes are the new version of dhb's R1 model. They don't have a recessed cleat housing, so they're not suitable for touring or commuting if you're going to walk any distance after parking your bike, but for most other forms of road cycling they do the job very nicely indeed.

The upper consists of leather-look synthetic fabric around the base, ankle, tongue and toe box, with some mesh panels along each side for ventilation. The toe box also has some rather retro looking breather holes to further help air in, or moisture out, depending on conditions. Compared to some other shoes, there's not a huge amount of ventilation, but this was no problem on the slight chilly spring days of my test rides, and for all but the hottest days they should be fine.

The area round the heel is rigid - dhb say this is deliberate to help you unclip from your pedals more easily. It seems to work, with no negative pay-off, although I have to say that unclipping has never been in problem in any of my other cycling shoes.

The shoes are fastened with three Velcro straps, and the lining is made from something called 'quad-core mesh' which provides a good degree of padding without your foot feeling sloppy inside. The insole is also slightly spongy, thanks to ribbing on the underside. This provides extra comfort, but you may want to swap it out for something which provides a bit more arch support, depending on the shape and structure of your own feet.

The sole is made from 'premium grade Nylon polymer' and is plenty stiff enough to spread the load and to transfer thrust from your legs into the pedals. As mentioned, there's no recess for a cleat, and the sole's only other features are a small horseshoe-shaped heel stud and a few similar studs under the toe area to aid walking when you really can't be on your bike.

The shoes appear to have fittings for three-hole cleats (Look and SPD-SL) and two-hole cleats (original SPD) but the advice on the Wiggle website (dhb is Wiggle's own brand) is that these shoes take three-hole cleats only. I bolted my Look Keo cleats straight in with no bother.

The R1.0 shoes are available in black or white, with a few bits of red and silver trim. The silver is reflective - a handy touch for all you night-riders out there.

I've done a few hundred miles in these shoes so far. They are definitely comfortable, and I'm not aware of flex in the sole or any other problems.

Sizing seems accurate: I take size 43 in Shimano and Specialized shoes; these dhb R1.0s are also 43 and I don't notice any size discrepancy. I have wide feet and find some shoe brands a bit on the narrow side, but these R1.0s were fine.

Retailing at a penny less than £50, these shoes are very good value for the levels of comfort and performance provided.

Verdict

Light and comfortable road shoes, perfect for training, sportives and entry-level racing. Excellent value too.

road.cc test report

Make and model: dhb R1.0 Road Cycling shoes

Size tested: White/Red, 46

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

These shoes are ideal for training, sportives and entry-level racing. The Wiggle website says the R1.0 is "a sleek, minimal shoe with outstanding stiffness and power transfer. Lightweight 3-strap closure system. Featuring premium grade Nylon polymer sole, advanced inner quad core mesh, and lightweight synthetic upper."

The website then highlights these key features:

Glass reinforced Nylon polymer sole

Synthetic Upper

Quad core air mesh inserts

All-round ventilation holes

Internal thermo plastic heel counter

360 degree reflective detailing

3-hole cleat ready

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

The Wiggle website emphaises the various technical aspects, including:

"On the underside of the sole (not visible once the shoe is made), the premium grade Nylon has been designed and engineered with stress analysis software to achieve the optimum stiffness to weight ratio. The complex array of ribs and hollows, on the underside are the secret to this shoe's awesome power delivery. The result of this meticulous engineering means with each stroke the rider inputs - maximum output is delivered.

The upper of the shoe is comprised of 2 key layers to assist this form fit; the internal quad-core mesh enables excellent 3-dimensional form mapping but with almost no stretch. 'No stretch' means best power transfer. The durable external synthetic upper blends the contours to retain a smooth external aesthetic and absorbs the knocks and scratches of general use."

In other words - a stiff sole, comfortable padded inner and a reasonably durable outer. Exactly what you need in a cycling shoe.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Construction seems very good. In the first few hundred miles of test-riding, there's no sign of any loose stitching or separating fabric.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

For a shoe of this type, performance is very good indeed. The sole is stiff, meaning little wasted power, and the inner is comfortable without your foot feeling sloppy inside.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

Too early to say for sure, but appears to be very good as much of the shoe is leather-look synthetic material, with only relatively small bits of mesh (which usually tend to wear more quickly).

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

Thes shoes weigh around 800g the pair. Not super-lightweight, but very reasonable for a shoe of this nature.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
10/10

Very comfortable indeed. Can't fault them.

Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

The current selling price on the Wiggle website is £49.99 - this represents very good value compared to similar shoes from other brands.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

The R1.0 shoes have performed very well so far. Yes, if they were carbon soled they'd be they lighter, and possibly stiffer still, but for training, sportives and entry-level racing (especially in cool conditions) they are excellent.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Comfort, stiffness, price.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

This is a personal thing, but the appearance of the shoe is pretty staid. However, some people might prefer a less-blingy look.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

For shoes of this type, and in this price-range, the R1.0s are exceptional. I genuinely can't find anything to complain about. Yes, they could be lighter, and stiffer still, and have more ventilation - but then they'd be a different shoe. As they are, they're spot on, and score a well-deserved 9.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 51  Height: 5ft 10 / 178cm  Weight: 11 stone / 70kg

I usually ride: an old Marin Alp, or an old steel classic  My best bike is: an old Giant Cadex (can you see a theme here?)

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: touring, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

 

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4 comments

Avatar
David Else | 12 years ago
0 likes

In the ‘Description’ area for these shoes on the Wiggle website it says this:

"3-hole cleat ready.
Cleats - 3 Bolt Look Type.
Use: Road.
The shoe is installed ready to use with road-style, 3-hole cleat-pedal systems (Look/SPD-SL)"

But, you're right, the sole of the shoe does appear to be able to take two bolt cleats such as original SPDs (aka "MTB" SPDs).

In the Q&As area for these shoes on the Wiggle website, a customer asks: “Can these be converted to 2-bolt SPD cleats, and if so, how?“

The reply is: “These shoes are compatible with 2 bolt or 3 bolt cleats. To use the two bolt cleats simply remove the small rubber inserts from the outer sole and slip the cleat plates under the insole to allow the cleat bolts to secure the cleat”

However, a more recent question from a customer is: “Hi, One of the reviews mentioned that these shoes didn't work well with Shimano pedals. Please confirm if they will work with Shimano SPD SL cleats.”

Wiggle's reply: “The shoes are set up to work with all 3 hole cleat types. This includes SPD SL and Look.”

And then more recently again, a customer writes: “…to fit a 2 bolt SPD cleat you have to remove the inner sole (easy) and then cut/dig the ill defined piece of the base out (not easy) before you can remove rubber plug and insert the metal 4 hole base for SPD cleats. Then screw cleat in from underside. This took me half an hour and the rubber plug was so stuck to the nylon backbone of the shoe that a part of it, with one of the threaded holes for a 3 screw cleat, broke off. “

The reply from Wiggle is: “To add further info and guidance to any readers: The R1.0 is a Road cycling shoe. It comes with 3 threaded holes in the sole ready to receive 3 hole cleats. Suitable for any 3 hole road cleat system e.g. SPD-SL, and LOOK. The shoe can be modified permanently to install 2 hole type cleats (SPD MTB). It is not recommended that this conversion be carried out.

The customer replies with: “Glad to see shoe description now clearer. Now that the description of the shoe has changed it is much clearer that this shoe is not really designed for 2 bolt cleats.”

Avatar
jezzzer | 12 years ago
0 likes

Seem like cracking value. Might be worth checking with Wiggle - why are there mtb spd slots if you're not supposed to fit 'em?

Avatar
badback replied to jezzzer | 12 years ago
0 likes
jezzzer wrote:

Seem like cracking value. Might be worth checking with Wiggle - why are there mtb spd slots if you're not supposed to fit 'em?

Seems a bit strange to me to. I've done several thousand miles with the old model using mtb cleats with no problems whatsoever.

Avatar
John_the_Monkey | 12 years ago
0 likes

Great review - and thank you for the comments on sizing at the end. My elderly Shimano road shoes are overdue replacement, and it looks like these are worth considering.

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