ShimanoSH-RC9 S-PHYRE Cycling Shoe - Men's
Item # SHIU1BA
SH-RC9 S-PHYRE Cycling Shoe
Shimano’s SH-RC9 S-PHYRE Cycling Shoe is becoming well known for its glistening blue presence at the front of the pack and is quickly becoming what may very well be a legacy-shoe that holds its dedicated space in cycling lore. Stepping into the RC9 is a unique experience, as comfort is immediate, and you can vividly imagine pro-level accelerations on your race-rides. Shimano uses a 360-degree fit optimization that unifies all the individual components on the shoe to become one complete system, engineered to provide stability and maximum power transfer on the pedals.
The integrated midsole and upper material comfortably envelop your foot for a secure hold, while the dual Boa Li2 dials and PowerZone wiring guide cinch down for the optimum tension. Precision cable tension is a critical performance tool, whether you are unwinding from an epic five-hour climbing session or torquing down for a finish sprint in the criterium.
Shimano elevates the carbon era with a supremely rigid sole that tests at a stiffness of twelve, meaning you’ll never doubt whether your efforts are going into the pedals. This level of control and performance is what we’ve come to expect from Shimano’s top-tier road shoes, and what keeps us dedicated to their component line as well.
A unique trait for the RC9 is the incorporation of the Anti-twist heel stabilizer that holds the foot in place while performing high-cadence accelerations. Heel control is not an overly focused target of improvement, as modern-day training plans and single-ring gear ratios push normalized cadences higher and higher.
Visual upgrades include more refined venting hole placements and sleeker-looking logo placement, both of which set the RC9 as a visual icon in the peloton.
- Pro-level carbon road shoe with a dialed in fit
- Stiff carbon sole transfers power to the pedals
- 360 degree wrapping creates a comfortable and complete fit
- Dual Boa dials for quick, late-race precision adjustments
- Anti-twist stabilizer holds foot securely under fast accelerations
What do you think about this product?
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April 7, 2021
RC902
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
- Fit:
- True to size
- Size Bought
- 45
- Height
- 6` 3"
- Weight
- 190 lbs
Have owned RC9, 901, and now 902 over the past few years. These are my favorite thus far. did size 45 in the 901 and 902. Fit is spot on. The upper wraps to your foot a little more and the heel cup sucks you in. The new dials are an improvement.
Derek G.
April 3, 2021
Glad I Stayed With Shimano
- Familiarity:
- I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
- Fit:
- True to size
- Size Bought
- 46.5
- Height
- 6` 2"
- Weight
- 185 lbs
Just got the blue SH-RC9 S-PHYRE in a 46.5 EUR or 11.5 US , love them , fit just right not too tight or overly roomy - have them combined with Shimano blue SPD-SL cleats and Dura Ace SPD-SL pedals - replacements for 13 year old Shimano SPD-R shoes with Red Look cleats and Look pedals . Both feet are B width and so they may run narrow but I think they're available in wide width. Competitive Cyclist has been great to work with , great product selection , fast delivery , & customer friendly return policy and standards - would buy these shoes again from Competitive !! Have only used them on an indoor Kurt-K fluid trainer but I'm sold on these shoes !!
Donald N.
March 9, 2021
Just a bit too narrow
- Familiarity:
- I returned this product before using it
- Fit:
- True to size
I don't have a wide foot, but do like a bit of toe room in my bike shoes. I really wanted to like these shoes and they were very comfortable when trying them on. However, as others have noted, they feel noticeably narrower and tighter right where you need space the most on the ball of your foot. Toes went numb after about 30 minutes and I had to return them :(
James V.
March 2, 2021
Amazingly comfortable - Odd fit
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
- Fit:
- True to size
- Size Bought
- 43
- Height
- 5` 8"
- Weight
- 170 lbs
These were my first pair of top tier cycling shoes. I was quite impressed with the feel overall, it was secure but not restrictive enough to feel like the sizing was wrong. One of the noticeable differences from my previous pair of shoes these are narrower overall. So much so that asking the misses about it and she said the same thing. Even at low tensions on the BOA dials my feet were definitely secured in the shoe and it felt comfortable. A problem I ran into though was after 30m (trainer only) my toes would go numb. As much as I would have like to think it was my fault for this, I tried to change my cleat positions a few times, lower tension on the BOA dials (I tend to like them tight), and even restricting my power output. None of my changes were met with positive results as right at the 30 minute mark my toes would go numb, which led me to return the shoes. Going back to my Fiziks (not wide versions I should add) I had no issues riding for hours on the trainer or outdoors with foot numbness. Overall the fit was great, but the narrow design caused issues for me.
Antonio G.
February 27, 2021
Beautiful but the fit was odd
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
- Fit:
- Runs small
- Size Bought
- 44.5
- Height
- 5` 8"
- Weight
- 160 lbs
After dropping almost $450 on these shoes (my first flagship type purchase) I really wanted to love them. They're absolutely gorgeous in red and match my club kit. However, the fit wasn't there. I wear a 10.5US and ordered the 44.5. the length was right and they felt solid at the heel, but they pinched at the balls of my feet (not the toes) and at the arch. The boa dials were nice but the uppers sort of cut into my ankles. Also, my toes were going a bit numb after less than an hour. I'm not going to hate on these shoes since fit is so individual. But for that kind of money they need to be perfect for you. These weren't and I returned them. Return policy is why I buy from competitive cyclist.
Dan Sheldon
February 17, 2021
The best professional riding shoes!
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
- Fit:
- True to size
- Size Bought
- 45 cms./11 inches
- Height
- 6` 3"
- Weight
- 245 lbs
I searched high and low for a riding shoe that had a wide width. Sans me traveling to Italy to have Sidi manufacture a shoe for me, I didn't know where else to turn. I was assured by Competitive Cyclist that these shoes are the widest ones available on the market. Yes, these shoes' toe box are plenty wide and they do not crush your toes like the other so called wide shoes. Strong performance, easy to slip on and off and very cool to wear, even in 120 degree southern California Desert Summers!
Jim Corriere
February 17, 2021
The best professional riding shoes!
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
- Fit:
- True to size
- Size Bought
- 45 cms./11 inches
- Height
- 6` 3"
- Weight
- 245 lbs
I searched high and low for a riding shoe that had a wide width. Sans me traveling to Italy to have Sidi manufacture for me a shoe, I didn't know where else to turn. I was assured by Competitive Cyclist that these shoes are the widest ones available on the market. Yes, these shoes' toe box are plenty wide and they do not crush your toes like the other so called wide shoes. Strong performance, easy to slip on and off and very cool to wear, even in 120 degree southern California Desert Summers!
Jim Corriere
January 30, 2021
Like buttah
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
- Fit:
- True to size
- Size Bought
- 45
- Height
- 5` 9"
- Weight
- 150 lbs
I’ve only ridden on the trainer with these so far but so far so good. Ordering the right size was a bit tricky at first, if you read all the reviews, but they are true to size. My foot is right at 28cm in length, and on the narrow side. They are super stiff but a little bit giving if you will in the upper portion of the shoe, like a slipper. I’ve always been a sidi fan and use to the tight feel. These RC-9's are like you’re not even wearing a shoe! Which does take a bit to get use too. All in all I would highly recommend these to anyone, can’t wait to hit the open road with them! If you do have a slight narrow foot don’t worry you can ratchet them down to fit perfectly.
Kenny M.
November 17, 2020
Gotta love that blue
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
- Fit:
- True to size
Coming from a pair of Shimano RP9, these are noticeably tighter and stiffer. My feet are on the narrow side, and the volume is just right. Consider the wide version if you have a tall arc. Fit and finish is good, but not as impressive vs. some Italian brands. Time will tell how these will hold up.
Fan
November 5, 2020
Holy Heel Hold Batman
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
- Fit:
- True to size
First, James Huang does a great write up on these shoes over at Cycling Tips, and I feel like it is spot on. My Foot is average, maybe just a tad wider than average. I wear a US 9 in Vans, Nike, pretty much all shoes and a 43 in pretty much all cycling shoes. In recent history, I have been riding previous generation S-Works, Giro Empire, Giro Factor, Sidi Shot, FiveTen Kestrel BOA and the First Generation of the Shimano S-PHYRE XC 9, the Cross Country shoe. Pointing back at the Cycling Tips article, which is worth a read, I would say that these new RC 9 shoes are ever so slightly lower volume than my XC 9 shoes in the toe box. I don't feel like these are small, or narrow, but just a little less volume, giving them a more performance feeling, and secure fit. Construction is beautiful and I really like the way the upper wraps around the bottom of the shoe. They are lightweight and very stiff. Breathability is excellent as well. The new BOA dials are amazing and the shape of the heel cup, holy cow, it locks my foot into the shoe better than any other that I have owned. These shoes are comfy, light, stiff, and look really good. They are my favorite.
Forrest
Jay R.
January 10, 2021
+1
Marvin R.
January 15, 2021
so, just to be clear, you went with a 43 in these as well? and they were not smaller/narrower than typical 43s in other brands, right?
Kelly S
March 5, 2021
Glad I'm not the only one noticing these are noticeably narrower...and I have been wearing shimano road shoes for years and I know how they usually feel. But my just ain't digging the narrower profile and they're going numb as a result. Bummer