By Simon Bromley

Published: Monday, 01 November 2021 at 12:00 am

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Shimano’s new S-Phyre RC902S is a limited-edition, Dura-Ace R9200-themed version of its top of the range S-Phyre RC902 road cycling shoe.

Additionally, the component giant has announced a flurry of other updates, including a track-specific S-Phyre cycling shoe (the S-Phyre RC902T) and a number of refreshes to popular models in its extensive shoe range.

For road riders, popular lower-priced shoe options like the Shimano RC7 and Shimano RC5 have seen upgrades, while gravel cyclists are treated to updated colourways of the Shimano RX8, which is featured in our pick of the best gravel bike shoes.

Shimano S-Phyre RC902S Dura-Ace edition

If you’re one of the lucky few to already have your hands on a new Dura-Ace R9200 groupset but are worried your bog-standard road cycling shoes don’t match, then Shimano has the perfect set of disco slippers for you.

The S-Phyre RC902S is a limited-edition version of its existing S-Phyre RC902 shoe. The construction is identical, but the colourway has been tweaked to match Shimano’s latest top-of-the-range road groupset.

Shimano’s S-Phyre RC902 shoe was already available in black, but this special Dura-Ace R9200 version receives a glossy “enamelled black” finish on the uppers, “pearl metal” Boa Li2 dials and a gloss black heel cup.

Curiously, the S-Phyre RC902S shoe doesn’t appear to mention Dura-Ace anywhere on the shoe itself, but those who know, know, and that’s probably all that matters.

Available (still) only in black, in standard and wide-fitting versions (sizes EU36 to 48, with half sizes available from EU39 to 47), it’s not clear exactly how many pairs the edition is limited to, but the S-Phyre RC902S shoes have an RRP of £349.99 / €369.99 / ¢430 (£30 more than the standard version).

Shimano claims a size EU42 shoe weighs 240g.

Shimano S-Phyre RC9 Track

Shimano

The S-Phyre RC9 Track is a track-specific cycling shoe aimed at “sprinters, time trial and criterium specialists”.

Modelled on the S-Phyre RC902 road shoe, the feature that makes the RC902T track-specific is the absence of a second Boa dial on the midfoot. Instead, a single Boa dial and a forefoot Velcro strap take care of fit adjustments.

This allows the use of toe-straps across this area of the foot, which are still popular in track cycling events for the increased pedalling security they provide.

Otherwise, the RC902T’s construction is much the same as the RC902 road shoes, with stretch-resistant, wraparound uppers and a sole rated a full 12/12 on Shimano’s stiffness scale.

As track cycling often takes place indoors, the RC902T is fittingly only available in white, and Shimano claims a size EU42 shoe weighs 235g. Standard and wide versions are available (sizes EU36 to 48, with half sizes available from 39 to47).

The S-Phyre RC902T costs £319.99 / €369.99 / ¢430.

Shimano RC702

Shimano

While Shimano’s top-of-the-range shoes grace the feet of WorldTour professionals such as Wout van Aert, Primož Roglič and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, its lower-priced options remain steadfastly popular among amateurs thanks to an admirable cost-to-performance ratio.

With this in mind, Shimano has announced updates to its RC7 and RC5 road cycling shoes.

Both benefit from trickle-down technology from the S-Phyre range, with the RC7 receiving a similar “surround wrapping upper” to the S-Phyre RC902 shoe and dual Boa L6 dials.

There are standard and wide-fitting versions (sizes EU38 to 50, with half sizes available from EU38 to 47), and Shimano claims a size EU42 weighs 255g.

The RC7 has a sole rated 10/12 on Shimano’s scale, and is available in black, white or red at an RRP of £189.99 / €199.99 / $240.

Shimano RC502 and RC502 Women

Shimano

The RC5 shoe uses a “mesh/TPU and synthetic leather upper material”, again in a wraparound style design, for a “glove-like fit.”

The RC5 uses a single Boa L6 dial and Velcro strap up front, and there is also a women’s-specific version – the RC5 Women – built around a women’s-specific last.

Shimano

With a sole rate of 8/12 for stiffness, according to Shimano, and an RRP of £139.99 / €149.99 / $170, the RC5 is aimed at performance-minded roadies on a budget.

The RC5 shoe is available in blue, black or white, in standard or wide fits (sizes EU38 to 50). A size EU42 shoe is claimed to weigh 241g.

The RC5 Women shoe is available in turquoise, black or white, in standard fit (sizes EU36 to 44). A size EU40 shoe is claimed to weigh 228g.

Shimano RX8 new colour options

With the popularity of gravel riding continuing to grow rapidly, Shimano is doubling down on its efforts to serve this hungry market with two new colour options for its RX8 gravel shoe.

Inspired “by the arid landscapes of Kansas” and the Unbound gravel race, Shimano has announced new burnt bronze and yellow/gold desert-at-dusk versions.

Construction, and therefore performance, is otherwise the same as the existing RX8 gravel shoe (no bad thing, considering we gave it an almost perfect score in our Shimano Rx8 review).

Available in sizes EU38 to 50, in standard or wide fits, there’s also a women’s-specific version (built around a women’s specific last) available in sizes EU36 to 44.

Shimano’s RX8 gravel shoe has an RRP of £219.99 / €229.99 / $260.

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