Shimano RC701 (Review of sorts)

The year is almost ending, and here I am deciding to do a review of sorts. I wonder if there's still people out there who randomly happen to pass through here. Anyway a short update before I jump into the review(based on my own opinion).

<<< Those of you new here can skip straight to the review after the paragraph below >>>

It's been a long year, my cycling has been slowing down as the year end gets closer. Went from a 50mm wheelset to a 38mm wheelset to better fit my riding. Also went from Shimano Ultegra 6800 to SRAM Force 22. The set up has not disappointed me so far. Rode a 300km ride sometime back in May(a story for another post, if I do post). Also managed to snag a 1st place podium in my local group ride Criterium.

<<< Review begins here >>>

With those out of the way, we can officially start with what the post title says. Before I begin, I'd like to note that Shimano did not, in any form, sponsored or offered me anything to do this post. All comments and points voiced out here is based on my amateur cycling knowledge of 4 years (I started cycling sometime in 2014).

Shimano unveiled their new range of products at the 2018 Eurobike Show, which was held in July. Amongst them were their new road shoes as well as a new off-road shoe. At the top of the line was the new Shimano S-Phyre RC901, the RC standing for Road Competition. But the bigger update came on the Shimano RC701, Shimano's second-tier road race shoe for 2019, a facelift and slight changes to the previous RC7. It comes in three different colors at the moment which are black, white, and a red/black gradient reminiscent to the previous RC7. I chose the white.

Upon closer inspection, Shimano has done some rather interesting finish design on the upper and overall of the synthetic leather, and it seems like it's matte (at least it feels like matte to me). Aesthetically, it looks amazing to me, where it kind of stands out from the rest of the plain white shoes. When the light hits just right, the shoes really look amazing. I've not had the chance yet to test it, but I'd assume it would be more scuff resistant than it's predecessor with the gloss finish.

Shimano did away with the velcro strap at the toe box area, in favor of a second boa dial. They also changed from BOA IP1 dials to the BOA L6 dials, which I will address in a bit. The shoe is covered with "Supple high-density synthetic leather" as stated by Shimano with generous amounts of perforations to aid in ventilation.

Now, to address the one of the issues I had with the new RC701, which are the BOA dials. the L6 dials work just like the IP1 dials, pull up to loosen, push in and turn clockwise (anti-clockwise for the left side) to tighten. EXCEPT, the L6 doesn't allow you to turn anti-clockwise to loosen when it's engaged(or pushed in) in minute adjustments on the go. I'd say this wasn't a big issue to me as Shimano has always fitted perfectly on my feet, but I guess if you're a rider who's feet expands a little during the ride, it'll be cumbersome to adjust the straps on the go. Also, another issue with the wire is that the last loop isn't fixed in a hole or holder, but just looped around a hook, just like the previous RC7. So do keep in mind when loosening or tightening the shoe. Don't worry about the wire popping off and unwinding out the shoe though, as the wire is fitted through a fixed holder on the opposite side.

The sole is Carbon with Shimano putting it on a stiffness level of 10, which is supposedly plenty stiff for those out of saddle sprinting, and uphill attack, where the power transfer matters. Don't take me up 100% on that, as I am not one of those riders who feels everything on the bike, if Shimano says it's 10 and stiff, then hey, good enough for me!

Similar to the previous model, the heel is non-replaceable. Walking on concrete over a couple of years(depending how much you walk in them too), they will probably wear out. So don't go running around with them.

Overall, I really love the shoe, it fits to size for me, I'm a UK8.5 and this is a 42 with enough toe wiggle room. I have worn a Fizik R4B UOMO before this pair, and it fits rather narrow for a 42. Other than my gripes with the BOA dials, and possibly scuffing and dirtying a white shoe(who doesn't eh?), I find the RC701 a great shoe to look at, as the weather has been horrible this few weeks, so I have yet to take it out for a ride.

So I hope you find my amateurish review helpful for the RC701, have a great ride out there!

Till my next post.

Almost There

Here we go with the routine dusting. Hey ho people.

December is here and what's been happening? Quite a bit. Recently just handed in all my assignments and thus, I'm free. *sniff* Ahhh, that lovely, fresh smell of FREEDOM, except, that it's not really freedom just yet. One more final paper to go, MPU Hubungan Etnik. Damn this subject. What makes it worse is that it's going to take a week before the paper. I could have booked an earlier flight and flew back to home sweet home if it wasn't for this paper. So as it is, got my ticket for the 19th. I miss home cooked food so much.

Enough about the MPU, I recently just went for my routine check up. 2nd one to note. I must say, I received some really good news. Here's how it went with the doctor.

Doc:"Based on the X-ray, your bones have fused together."

Me:"Serious?!"

Yeah. Just a short conversation. Then he did some checks and stuff. The things doctors do while checking up their patient and all. Funny thing was, it only took half the amount of time the doctor originally gave me for the recovery period. He said it takes about 3 months for the bones to fuse together, and another 3 months for the bones to be fully healed. The accident was on the 19th of October, so yeah, that's more or less 1 and a half months since then and my bones have fused. You know what? I think I might actually have Wolverine's healing factor. A diluted version of it but some really cool healing powers indeed......just kidding. I'm just glad it healed fast.

Officially allowed on the bicycle again. Time to bring my beloved bike out for some sunshine, wind and adventure. Just in time too, cause I've got some time to kill before the MPU final paper. Maybe I might just drop by the library as well, to look at people studying and stressing about their final paper. Perks of studying design, the non-existence of the term "Final Exam/Paper".

Anyway, that's all for this routine dust up.

Cheers,

Vincent

Something new

It's time for a routine dust off. Been a long time since my last post and a lot has happened. To whoever still drops by occasionally, sorry you guys are stuck with so little updates. Too many things going on, and I'll just try to summarise the happenings that came about this past few months.

As you guys may know, from my previous posts, I'm currently undergoing my studies at Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus. That's in Kuching, nice place really. Been here for a little over six weeks already, and I must say I've pretty much settled into the living style here. Being away from home doesn't really bother me, still miss home cooking occasionally, but everything is going well. The classes were a little mix of old and new, learning some new stuff while brushing up on skills I learnt whilst in diploma. It's a great experience here as I get the chance to mix with a lot of international students and learn more about their country and culture, as a matter of fact, because of the diverse student culture, Swinburne organizes a cultural night event every year where students perform their cultural specialties or just take the chance to perform. I was lucky my enrolment was timed just right as I got to experience this event.

 So far, I've already passed the middle mark of the semester and ended my mid term break(JUST today actually). The first half went well I would say and then it's onwards to another 6 weeks and I'll end my Semester 2 Year 2. Recently, actually just a week ago, I acquired a bicycle.

700c Nexus Hybrid Bike

I got a bike for a few reasons, transport being one of the few reasons, and recreation being another. Why a hybrid bike? Because mainly, I'll only be using it for road and minimal off road. This bike can handle gravel as well as "kampung" roads no issue. It's a great bike, even though I only managed to take it out for a spin no more than 5 times. Pretty sad, huh? Why? Cause foolhardy me went and attempted a ramp take-off. 

Like I said in the title, "Something new", and by that, I meant, loads of new experiences. This was, as painful as it was, something new to me, as well as exciting. Back 4 years, while I was still in high school, I used to do a lot of "little" stunts with my then MTB(Mountain Bike). It wasn't a really high end model but at RM450, it was a pretty damn good bike with full suspension and toughness to take a beating. Which in the end got stolen by some scumbag, whoever it was, hope it serves him well like it did for me(posted about this ages back). 

So, I went on a cycling session with the Swinburne Cycling Club and they brought us to a dirt trail to have some fun. A little too much fun for me I guess, when I decided to do the ramp take-off. I borrowed one of the cycling member's MTB cause my hybrid for sure wouldn't be able to pull off the stunt. Went for it but close to the ramp, I faltered and braked, causing me to lose momentum. Which ended with me plunging down the ramp rather than flying off it. The resulting fall cause me to fracture my left collarbone which required a surgery to realign it back as well as a metal plate and 7 screws.

Fractured collarbone, overlapping

Although it was a pretty serious thing, I just felt excited throughout the whole ordeal(okay maybe a little nervous cause...surgery). Everything was a new experience to me and I'm pretty glad I got this chance to experience things like this while I'm still young and capable and able to go the extreme. Don't get me wrong, a broken bone is no fun, but experience on the other hand is, priceless.

I was in really good spirits throughout the ordeal, dad even flew down to make sure I was alright(feeling guilty about this). But we got to spend some quality time together. I also thought I was gonna be lectured, but then, they just said, they warned me and I had to be responsible for my own decisions, which was my broken bones.

Before the surgery, submitting some assignments (with one hand)

After the surgery

Pretty much in good spirits

 I was discharged after three days in the hospital with no signs of complications. Overall, I'd say I had a really eventful mid term break. I have to wear a sling when I walk for the first two weeks after ther surgery but my arms can still function normally for typing and writing. A really good experience for me in my opinion. Now, I'm just making sure I take care of myself and get a speedy recovery and have my bones joined back together. 

Today, begins my 2nd half of the semester, and things are bound to get busier. I guess, you guys won't be hearing from me for a while(again). Video of the fall can be watched here. It's kinda funny watching myself. I can even laugh at myself, weird.

Here's to another one of the longest post I've done.

Cheers

Vincent Loke

P.S.: I'm so sorry bike, just wait for me for a while longer alright?

I'll take you out onto the road again. Soon I hope.