Shimano RC1 Road Cycling Shoe review

There's not a Boa, Atop or own-brand dial in sight, but Shimano knows a thing or two about cycling shoes, and even though the RC1s are priced very modestly, they deliver the goods.

The Velcro straps are secure, aided by the offset angle of the top strap, which helps spread the load.

Take care over the size you buy and it’s unlikely you’ll be disappointed by these well-made shoes.

Shimano RC1 spec and details

The absence of dial closures keeps the price of the RC1s down to bargain-basement level, with the added advantage of limiting the weight to a reasonably lean 532g per pair.

Velcro is a tried-and-trusted technology, and while not offering the quick micro-adjustability of dial closures, it proved effective and secure unless I was putting in an all-out sprinting effort, when there was a little bit of give.

It's worth noting the RC1s also take a few seconds longer to put on and take off than shoes with dials.

The wraparound tongue-free design, inherited from Shimano's higher-end shoes, looks neat and is comfortable over the top of your foot.

Shimano RC1 performance

While not the most glamorous or swankily specced shoes I’ve tested, the RC1s proved to be very good performers on the road, feeling little different from much more expensive cycling shoes.

The sole has markings for ensuring the correct cleat position, though these aren’t the most prominent I’ve seen.

That said, the drillings for three-point cleats offer three fore-and-aft positions over a 1cm range, which will provide a greater positioning range than you usually find at this price point.

The sole itself proved pleasingly unobtrusive when riding, balancing a decent amount of performance and comfort.

It’s rated 6 out of 12 on Shimano’s own sole-stiffness scale, which I think is reflected in the ride and feels like the correct level of stiffness for newer clipless riders, who are most likely to be considering this shoe.

Bear in mind, though, that these sole stiffness ratings aren’t usually directly comparable between brands.

With hindsight, I’d have opted to go up a size from my usual to get the best fit.

The wraparound upper is vented generously, with plentiful holes over the forefoot and about halfway along each side, backed up with a large vent at the front of the sole.

The result is a shoe that proved very breathable on warmer test rides, but wet feet from riding through leftover puddles showed these will let the rain in on wet days.

That said, there’s always a trade-off between breathability and protection from the elements.

The breathability of the RC1 shoes would make them a decent choice as a budget shoe for indoor training.

I was pleased with the reflective detailing on the sides, which follows the angle of the offset Velcro strap all the way down to where the upper meets the outsole.

However, I think Shimano missed a trick by not making the heel section reflective.

Shimano RC1 bottom line

Shimano successfully balances low price and reliable quality with the RC1 shoes.

To conclude that the Shimano RC1 shoes are sensibly priced and reasonably specced may sound like damning them with faint praise.

But aside from a sizing issue – I’d go up one size – there’s little to criticise them for.

They’re breathable, comfortable, easy to secure and are good-quality shoes for not that much of your cash.