While at EICMA in Milano, BiciRace.com was pleased to see the new offerings from shoe supplier Diadora. The Italian company, with cycling roots back to the 1980s, never fails with their footwear, just ask pro riders Danilo Di Luca or Igor Astarloa. So it was there, in Milano, under the spot lights, that our eyes fell upon the Diadora Proracer Carbon.
The first word that came to our mind was "soft." The upper, complete redesigned for 2007 using D-Skin Technology, looked of comfort, while the inside lining was suede-like in feel. Our feet were screaming from below: "Please, let us try!"
Two Velcro straps and the Quick Adjustment 3 strap, using the aluminum Micro CL latch, pulled together the upper to performance-minded sole. Diadora's Claudia Colbacchini explained that carbon is injected into nylon to achieve a combination of technologies; carbon supplies the rigidness need when pushing/pulling on the pedals, while the nylon gives a high absorbing of road vibrations.
As we mentioned, the inside of the Proracer Carbon is comfy. Technology adds to the comfort to form a smart shoe; the inners use Ergonomic Fit technologies, tested by Diadora athletes, to avoid traumas to the heel and Achilles tendon.
We could not pass the Diadora stand by without noting their casual wear. The company, based near Treviso, has supplied shoes to Giro d'Italia winners and Hour Record holders, and it is this status that has helped them to gain the right to be the official footwear supplier of Italy's Grand Tour. BiciRace.com recalls with great pleasure, seeing several hostesses walking around in the Diadora's casual shoes.
The casual shoe has an upper that looks every bit bike racer, while the sole consists of normal rubber tread, enabling you to run around the Grand Tour villages or any city street. Like the Proracer Carbon, two Velcro straps and a latch enclosure keeps your foot snug. Touches of chrome and "Giro d'Italia" tag accent the white upper. Very cool.
Details:
Diadora Proracer Carbon
Sizes: 39 to 47 with half sizes
Weight: 309g
Colors: Pearl, Dark Silver and Grey