Diadora Proracer Road Review - BikeRadar

Diadora' s top-end race shoe is new for 2006 and offers all the right ingredients for the aspiring road racers or time triallist. Light weight, a rigid sole for efficient power delivery and ease of adjustment are all present along with an upper material that gives breathability, absorbency with the added bonus of an antibacterilogical treatment.

The Proracers really do feel like they are enveloping your feet, although not quite as 'second skin' as the DMTs, they are soft and comfortable. The red anodised aluminium buckles are particularly attractive and very easy to use, even one-handed once on the bike.

The colour echoes 'the Pink Race' or Giro d'Italia. The front buckles for the Velcro straps have a non-return buckle to prevent slipping under stress. As with the majority of the race shoes on test the Proracer had no scuff protection for the front, which would be welcome to protect the fetching pearl white of most of the uppers.

Despite this the Proracer offers a durable heel cup and svelte Italian styling that fortunately doesn't seem capable of being imported by the US designers. Fit is on the tight side but shape and width are fine on the supple uppers that will bed in to a degree with time.

Spare buckles and tabs are available for reasonable money and an adapter insert for old double fixture Time cleats means that this could be one of only a few choices for riders running those classic pedals.

Pricewise the Proracer is up with the best of Specialized and Adidas with both giving good competition and perhaps a little edge on technology, albeit not on style.

Post this story to:

• Digg
• del.icio.us
• reddit
• Facebook
• StumbleUpon

Shopping partners

Shopping partners