Specialized TriVent
Written by: Jeroen van Geelen
Date: Tue Jun 22 2010
The updated Specialized TriVent BG is the new iteration of what, in our store, is the best selling triathlon cycling shoe on the market, and not without reason.
It's an attractive shoe and at $170 reasonable priced. Impossible to miss is the big Velcro strap closure. This strap's closure mechanism functions nicely for those who have their shoes already attached to the pedals in T1. The Velcro strap is quite unlikely to get stuck in your chain if it remains open during the first several hundred meters.
The toe box is comfortable and is certainly a blessing for those riding with custom insoles or wide feet. There is plenty of room there. Very un-Italian. There's some forefoot adjustability with the second, smaller, Velcro strap.
When the shoe is latched down you will see that there is still a fair bit of room between the toes and the upper. In hot weather this can be nice but make sure to bring some toe covers to your race when you need to start early, or when you can expect lower temperatures.
While cycling the shoe functions great, but there is one small issue I have. If you are like me and your feet are high-arched feet the big Velcro strap can chafe your skin on top of your feet. Despite neoprene on the inside surface of the straps I had a little chafing during a four-hour ride. This may not be typical, rather might be a function of my arch profile.
If this concerns you, I suggest making an arrangement with your retailer so that you can test ride them once before you commit.
The carbon/glassfiber reinforced outsole is stiff and responsive. It's made with the standard 3-bolt cleat pattern and holds Look, Shimano SL, Time and Speedplay cleats.
Note the letters BG in the shoe's name. They stand for Body Geometry. This means in this case that the shoe is not completely flat (in the transverse plane, side to side) when you're clicked in. The TriVents are made so that when you're in your pedals the shoes are inclined on the medial side 1.5mm. Specialized did this because about 60 percent of all people (says Specialized) have a varus forefoot.
If you are not a cyclist needing a varus lift, the TriVent is just the opposite of what you would need and can cause you knee or feet problems. You can neutralize the varus tilt in the shoe by placing valgus wedges in the shoe, but a better option is just to choose a different model. In any case if you are going to buy the TriVent you need to make sure that you have the right foot type to ride this shoe.
In most cycling shoe models you're treated to non-supportive flat insoles. Specialized puts its BG insoles in the shoes, and these have a standard (which is in fact a pretty robust) arch support as well as a metatarsal button to give some forefoot support. If you want a higher arch support you can buy another insole from the BG collection and replace the standard one. But even the standard insoles are of great quality.
There is just one little thing missing with the shoe. For those who value a fast transition there is no heel loop as you see in most other models. This should be something Specialized adds when they update the model.
Overall this is a great value shoe, and they also make a distinct women's version—something you don’t see very often.
It's an attractive shoe and at $170 reasonable priced. Impossible to miss is the big Velcro strap closure. This strap's closure mechanism functions nicely for those who have their shoes already attached to the pedals in T1. The Velcro strap is quite unlikely to get stuck in your chain if it remains open during the first several hundred meters.
The toe box is comfortable and is certainly a blessing for those riding with custom insoles or wide feet. There is plenty of room there. Very un-Italian. There's some forefoot adjustability with the second, smaller, Velcro strap.
When the shoe is latched down you will see that there is still a fair bit of room between the toes and the upper. In hot weather this can be nice but make sure to bring some toe covers to your race when you need to start early, or when you can expect lower temperatures.
While cycling the shoe functions great, but there is one small issue I have. If you are like me and your feet are high-arched feet the big Velcro strap can chafe your skin on top of your feet. Despite neoprene on the inside surface of the straps I had a little chafing during a four-hour ride. This may not be typical, rather might be a function of my arch profile.
If this concerns you, I suggest making an arrangement with your retailer so that you can test ride them once before you commit.
The carbon/glassfiber reinforced outsole is stiff and responsive. It's made with the standard 3-bolt cleat pattern and holds Look, Shimano SL, Time and Speedplay cleats.
Note the letters BG in the shoe's name. They stand for Body Geometry. This means in this case that the shoe is not completely flat (in the transverse plane, side to side) when you're clicked in. The TriVents are made so that when you're in your pedals the shoes are inclined on the medial side 1.5mm. Specialized did this because about 60 percent of all people (says Specialized) have a varus forefoot.
If you are not a cyclist needing a varus lift, the TriVent is just the opposite of what you would need and can cause you knee or feet problems. You can neutralize the varus tilt in the shoe by placing valgus wedges in the shoe, but a better option is just to choose a different model. In any case if you are going to buy the TriVent you need to make sure that you have the right foot type to ride this shoe.
In most cycling shoe models you're treated to non-supportive flat insoles. Specialized puts its BG insoles in the shoes, and these have a standard (which is in fact a pretty robust) arch support as well as a metatarsal button to give some forefoot support. If you want a higher arch support you can buy another insole from the BG collection and replace the standard one. But even the standard insoles are of great quality.
There is just one little thing missing with the shoe. For those who value a fast transition there is no heel loop as you see in most other models. This should be something Specialized adds when they update the model.
Overall this is a great value shoe, and they also make a distinct women's version—something you don’t see very often.
[Editor’s note: Our capable editor-at-large for footwear Jeroen van Geelen owns Total Running, one of the more important running and triathlon retail establishments in The Netherlands.]
Articles related to this one
Northwave Tribute
The Tribute is an update on the Tribal: a tri-specific cycling shoe with an extremely soft Lorica upper. Don't expect the same fit, feel and features: the shoe is an improvement, or not, depending on you. 7.01.10
The Tribute is an update on the Tribal: a tri-specific cycling shoe with an extremely soft Lorica upper. Don't expect the same fit, feel and features: the shoe is an improvement, or not, depending on you. 7.01.10
Bont Sub-10
Bont's moldable, monocoque cycling shoes bring something new to the tri shoe category: a shoe so form fitting the single-strap closure method isn't the liability it once was. 7.02.10
Bont's moldable, monocoque cycling shoes bring something new to the tri shoe category: a shoe so form fitting the single-strap closure method isn't the liability it once was. 7.02.10
Comments
missing the heal loop = pass
Reviewed by: mm, Aug 8 2010 8:28PM
Can't believe they took out the heal loop. Such a small detail, yet I can't do without it.
The other 40%
Reviewed by: Jennifer , Jun 25 2010 6:25AM
I bought this shoe and developed problems in my foot that mimicked plantar fascitis. I assumed it was from running and did everything from cortisone injections to wearing a boot to taking nearly 6 weeks off running. Nothing worked. My coach advised me that this shoe could cause problems in the foot. I changed shoes and it solved the problem. I hope this article prevents others from going through the frustration that I went through.
Small Addenda/Commentary
Jordan Rapp
Reviewed by: Jordan Rapp, Jun 23 2010 4:22PM
Depending on who you ask, some folks will say 80% of people benefit from varus wedging, while others will post a number as high as 90-95% of people. 60% is definitely a conservative estimate. And many people who don't explicitly need varus correction still find it more comfortable.
The heel pull was removed in this iteration because some testers complained about it. But I still quite like my older pair that has the pull. Pretty much all of the Specialized Factory Tri Team athletes asked for the heel pull to be put back on, so I think it will find it's way back on for the next iteration, if not sooner. But it was a conscious decision to leave it off based on feedback from the group of testers that was used.
The heel pull was removed in this iteration because some testers complained about it. But I still quite like my older pair that has the pull. Pretty much all of the Specialized Factory Tri Team athletes asked for the heel pull to be put back on, so I think it will find it's way back on for the next iteration, if not sooner. But it was a conscious decision to leave it off based on feedback from the group of testers that was used.
Great article
Reviewed by: Fred Flintsonte, Jun 23 2010 2:31PM
These shoes are great but I definitely will miss the heel loop!!! Thanks for the nice writeup.
Hot weather show
Reviewed by: Martin, Jun 23 2010 8:36AM
A good review for an excellent shoe. The only comment I would add is that this shoe is designed for hot weather training and racing.
This shoe is not practical for cold climates based on the amount of ventilation built into the shoe. Freezing toes make transition and running tough!
This shoe is not practical for cold climates based on the amount of ventilation built into the shoe. Freezing toes make transition and running tough!
