Moto-Diva ?

A strange thing happened a couple of weeks ago. I was at my LBS to get some brake cables and handlebar tape. As I entered the store, I noticed that they had mountain bike cleats on sale. I had been looking for some new mountain bike cleats for about 2 years. Previously, I had an old pair of Shimano's that fit great, but at the 2007 Green Mountain cross weekend, they finally de-laminated and fell apart. So, I start looking around, but none of the LBS's had anything that fit right and cost less than $200. At that point I ordered a pair of Nashbar housebrand mountain cleats. They fit OK but a little loose - so wear a pair of running socks. But cheap enough to keep looking for the fit I prefer - snug all around especially in the heel.

First - Northwave's with the BOQ lacing system
These fits better than the Nashbar's, but were still a little loose in the mid-foot. However with the BOQ system, I could change the tension during a race with ease. So everything is going well until the first mountain bike race of 2008. First turn of the race, everybody tight together, and a little jostling for the hole-shot into the woods - pretty standard occurrences. My right foot is at the 6 o'clock position for the left hand turn into the woods. The rider next to me the side of his cleat and pedal bang into the top and side of my cleat - I think " no big deal' and keep riding. But my shoe is loosing up so I reach down to tighten the BOQ and all I can feel is this big button and a handful of thread. I look down and see that the BOQ knob has been sheared off the shoe. My race is over.

Return to Nashbar cleats.

Second - Diadora Team Racer
They fit better than the Northwave's and much better than the Nashbar's. But they a little tight in the toes. Unfortunately, too tight. Training is fine, but when racing I loose a big toe nail every race. So I had to give them away.

Return to Nashbar cleats.

Third - back to another pair of Northwave's
Everything is good. Same fit as before and besides how many times do you get banged in the top of your foot. Well a little for frequently than I thought. At the 2008 Mercer Cup, I had a front row starting position and got a great start. After the first turn off the paved road I was fourth place - FYI fast starts are not my speciality. Turn 2 - left foot in the 6 o'clock position and again bang! BOQ sheared off shoe and my race is over.

Return to Nashbar cleats.

Now back to where this story started - I dig through the shoe boxes to find a 42cm size mountain bike cleats. Wow, here's a pair. I try them on and they fit great - snug all around even in the heel and the price is right. Great! I get the other parts and start getting checked out. The guy at the cash register asks me who the cleats are for. I answer - me. He asks me about my life as a tranvestite. Transvestite? what do you mean? He answers - these are ladies shoes. What? I try on the cleats again and they fit great. I don't care who they are for - the cleats fit they way I want.

My Specialized Moto-Diva's are best fitting cleats I have ever worn. I only have 2 complaints

1. the notched belt sometimes loosens up during hard hill climbing.
2. the sole has a small but noticable amount of flex.

These are minor complaints and probably have more to do with the cleats not being designed for someone with my body weight and leg strength.

Early in the Spring of 2010, I will be back at my LBS to try on the lastest version of the Moto-Diva's. Especially, one with a carbon fiber sole.