Clothing and Accessories

Test: Diadora Proracer Carbon Evo

Details

Parent Category: Clothing and Accessories

Category: Diadora

Published on Monday, 17 November 2008 12:00

Written by Luca Salvatelli

A product with the highest standards for comfort, but always with a very stiff sole and good aeration

The Company

Diadora was born in 1917 in Belluno far as a manufacturer of military boots and shoes for the needs of First World War. The immediate postwar activity expands in the civil sector with the production of shoes mountain. In 1948, thanks to the managerial skills of Marcello Danieli, born Diadora, company specializing in the production of ski boots. Diadora name was suggested by a Danieli's friend and is of Greek origin, "dia-dora" that is, through gifts, share gifts and honors. In the sixties Diadora states increasingly in the field of ski boots and his first by après ski boot. In 1966 comes the Diadora logo, still distinguishes the Company's products of Treviso. Shortly after starting the diversification of production entering the field of tennis clothing and one of the greatest champions of the sport: Bjon Borg. During the eighties that diversification is entering with full force in many sports, including cycling, so with a process of expansion Diadora become one of the biggest sportswear companies worldwide, played in an easy market. Its testimonials, in which there is a constant exchange of information to improve the product, the ability testify Diadora to compete for the best in the world against all competitors sector. In cycling there are many testimonials of high level and teams that use Diadora shoes, we remind Fabiana Luperini, Marco Aurelio Fontana, Adriano Malori and the Team Lampre Fondital with Damiano Cunego and World Champion Alessandro Ballan.

The range Diadora

The "Cycling" Diadora range has a range of products covering all the needs of the cyclist is it love of dirt or street until calm cyclists. Road range at its apex shoes Proracer Carbon Ages and the base model Fast. The range has Mtb Pro Trail in Carbon the top model range, while the base model is represented by Fast Comp Mtb. Then we have three models for Freeride, two for Spinning and four for Triathlon; then, some special editions, such as the Giro d'Italia.

The Proracer Carbon Evo we tried

The top range of Diadora is achieved in two variants of colours, one that we tried, dominant white with red friezes, and a dominant black with a red friezes. The sole is made from a mixture of carbon fiber, in the middle, where the greater the pressure exerted by the foot and thermoplastic material in the sides, where the need is less rigidity. Two holes near the tip of the sole allow the passage of air under the foot, improving ventilation. To this end, the internal insole is anatomical and with a honeycomb type structure that facilitates the transition of its own. The sole is also a small cleat, not interchangeable, and the practical points of reference for the best place to cleats. The upper is carefully planned tunnel is in front of areas network to more metal pierced for further ventilation. The upper is made of a material called D Skin with Sanitized treatment inside. The heel is realized with a thermo structure, while the upper part of the heel is soft. Strach are three, two with velcro and a micro adjustment with a ratchet. The two stratchs with velcro come with an additional sealing spring that improves the maintenance of shoestrap themselves, facilitating the tiles. The strach ratchet is equipped with dual adjustment, since one can place on three points, allowing you to find the best position possible so that once pulled remains well in the center of the neck of the foot. The shoes are available in sizes ranging from 39 to 47 including half sizes. Size 43 and half has a weight of 345 grams, as noticed by our instrumentation.

The road test

The show Proracer Carbon Evo been good care constructive and careful attention to detail. The upper impressive for its softness, both external and internal giving a pleasant sensation of comfort, even to the touch. In general, the shoes are well made and with no particular weaknesses, but visually, perhaps the fault of the upper semi seem a lower quality than that then they really are. This may also affect the graphics, all focused on the Diadora logo, which enhances the very special product. The sole is well built and is perfectly united between the carbon and plastic, even if we would have preferred a full realization carbon, as we would have preferred that the cleat was just in size and more particularly interchangeable. As it is now too small and low thick, so that just because a little pebble affect the sole. Moreover, the material with which it is composed is very hard, certainly will last a long. Nothing serious, are details to be fussy but we must note. The positioning of the cleats is not facilitated by the reference points on the soles because they are positioned precisely at the point where it supports the cleats that goes to cover them. A small annoyance. The fit is excellent, as is the excellent range of measures, really wide, and would have been better if they were available more variations of colour. The closure of the shoe is excellent, with excellent maneuverability of the strach. The ratchet allows close to the maximum strach, assuring a good grip of the foot inside the shoe. The maneuverability is perfect even in motion so as to tighten the shoestrap even pedaling. While shaking up to all strachs comfort of the foot rests on a good level, thanks to finishing inside of the upper, which also function to absorb the sweat. The ventilation holes to play well their work, but we could have expected a greater effect on the ventilation system under the sole, certainly the two holes for air circulation are too low to allow for high ventilation. In fact, the holes on the upper side seem insufficient, but the inside of the shoe, with its special finish to be "hot". It’s a material that absorbs sweat, implemented by the ventilation holes has a minor contribution compared to other achievements. With the torrid heat really seems to us that the foot suffers a bit more than other materials, while in the remaining cases, the microclimate that is created inside there seemed excellent with a perfect temperature of the temperature of the foot. The rigidity of the shoe, referring to the sole, it seemed more than excellent, so that they can assimilate the sole carbon / plastic with a sock full of carbon, though it seems we can check values of total rigidity even better. In part this sensation is due to the soft uppers that does not ensure at foot like that of other achievements in which the upper is reinforced with shares in termoplastic material. The most powerful, and only they can then complain about any perceptible and unwanted movement of the foot, especially when maximum traction, even a bead accomplice, is very comfortable, but not the foot greenhouse well as other achievements more intrusive. This behavior, however, occurs only in the presence of very strong action, with very powerful athletes, while in the remaining cases, the foot remains very firm in its place. In return you can ride for several hours in a total comfort, among the best ever for shoes in this category. Indeed, the foot is well wrapped by soft uppers, without compulsion or seams that give discomfort, allowing goods to close the shoe and continue to receive a very high comfort even after many hours of use.

Conclusions

The higher level of comfort is what stands out most about these shoes. Ben out and with a sufficiently hard soles have a sealing effective and practical. The ventilation is good, but rather is the microclimate that is created that is great. Those who seek to have his foot stuck inside the shoe may complain about certain movements of the heel, felt only during traction. An understandable view the smooth implementation of the heel. However these only barely perceptible movements and non slightest affect the qualities of a good shoe for comfort and a good stiffness. Unfortunate that there are only two colours available.

The price

Diadora do not communicate the price.

Are suitable for

Athlete: comfort, the microclimate of the foot and good stiffness make it an athletic shoe indicated especially to the competitions of long duration.
GF-tourist cyclists: the comfort of these shoes make it an ideal product for those who remain on saddle for several hours.

Positive aspects

Comfort over long distances
Good stiffness
Overall quality of the product
Inside of the shoe very comfortable

Negative aspects

Hell bead too soft
Improved ventilation with very high temperatures

For further information:

Diadora
Web site: www.diadora.com