Test: To anticipate one thing: you will not get a test report from the racing bike pro to read here. I've been active in mountain biking for almost 10 years and only recently I've also been able to get excited about racing bikes. So far I've been on the road with mountain bike pedals and shoes, which should finally change. I chose the Shimano SH-RC7 shoes in combination with the Shimano 105 PD-5800 pedals. You can read about my first experiences with suitable shoes for racing bikes here.
Shimano SH-RC7
The RC7 is the cheaper of the two Shimano road bike competition shoes and offers all the necessary functional features at a reasonable price. The imitation leather shoe with a carbon fiber sole is available in white and red in sizes 38 - 50. The outsole stiffness of the RC7 is given as 10 out of 12 and is therefore clearly trimmed for competition. The shoe is laced with a Boa-IP1 twist lock and a Velcro strap in the front area. For optimal performance, the RC7 features Shimano Dynalast technology, which uses a special shoe last design to enable smoother pedaling and more efficient power transmission.
Shimano 105PD-5800
The inexpensive pedal with the SPD-SL technology made of carbon offers high-quality DURA-ACE function at a fair price. The pedal axle is made of chromoly steel with a sealed bearing unit. The extra-wide contact surface with a contact plate made of stainless steel is intended to ensure efficient power transmission. The release angle is 32°, whereby the release hardness can be adjusted.
field test
Although the RC7 seems a bit exaggerated for me as a hobby athlete and road bike newcomer, I was very satisfied with the wearing comfort. The perforated synthetic leather ensures good ventilation and cool feet. With the proven Boa twist lock, the shoe can be laced up and taken off again in no time at all. I also got along well with the outsole stiffness without missing too much comfort. The function of the pedal was able to convince me, after I naturally needed some time to get used to the unfamiliar racing bike click mechanism.
Weight
Shoe approx. 245g depending on size, pedal 285g per pair
