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review

dhb T1 Touring Shoe

8
£28.79

VERDICT:

8
10
Stylish, practical leisure footwear with a bargain price tag
Weight: 
0g
Contact: 
www.wiggle.co.uk

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These trainer type SPD shoes from dhb strike an excellent balance between style, comfort and performance. Black suede/Codura uppers with subtle reflective detailing compliment anything in the cycling or civilian wardrobes whilst providing a little extra nocturnal security. A broader profile ensures day-long comfort, they'll work with clips and straps but not your overshoes.  

Whilst the uppers remained surprisingly dry throughout some very unforgiving downpours, thoroughly sodden they require eight hours at room temperature to dry and a light spraying with suede protector every now and then will help preserve their good looks. The soles, with integral toe-bumpers, offer a good trade-off between efficient power transfer and sure-footed walking. They’re hardy enough for dry towpath and trail excursions but more adventurous riders should look elsewhere. 

The positioning of the cleat covers suggests offset mounting plates, which can force the knees into unnatural positions when used with SPD pedal systems, but I was relieved to find them aligned normally. Power transfer from the mid-soles, while not enjoying the same levels of rigidity as a performance road shoe, remains impressive and the anatomic heel cup provides excellent support.

In the tradition of cycling footwear, go a size larger than normal. The toe box feels narrower than their profile suggests and the laces could’ve been a fraction shorter. Small grumbles aside, they’d give more established brands a very good run for your money and could prove perfect for spring/summer touring and recreational riding. 

Sizes: 40-47

Verdict

Stylish, practical leisure footwear with a bargain price tag

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Dhb T1 Touring Shoe

Price: 28.79

Size tested: 44

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
 
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
 
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
 
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10
 
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
 
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10
 

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Generally, yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 35  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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