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Gaerne G.Chrono+ & G.Kobra+ bring tech within reach for men & women, on or off road

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Gaerne has revamped their second-tier road and mountain bike shoes, the new G.Chrono+ & G.Kobra+, to update them with almost all of the same tech as found in their premium G.Stilo+ & G.Sincro+ counterparts. The prices still aren’t down that much, with a change in which BOA dials were spec’d and how they are laid out, plus even more sole options, Gaerne is offering a lot more choice for buyers. Plus with women’s versions of both, they deliver premium full-carbon sole performance at competitive pricing…

The + signs in both names signal the same overhaul as found on their top shoes at the end of last year. With that they drop the lower velcro strap in favor of a simple wired Boa closure system. The wire is also where the Chrono/Kobra differ most from the Stilo/Sincro. First off these shoes go with a pair of the more affordable L6 Boa dials. They still offer the same side-specific operation (turn forward to tighten), but you can’t turn these back to micro-loosen; instead they just get turn to release. Also the mid foot dial gets four dial guides for precise adjustment like the pricier shoe, but these get just a single loop of two guides for less fine adjustment around the ankle as is standard on most other shoes.

G.Chrono+

gaerne_g-stilo-carbon_eps-lightweight-full-carbon-sole gaerne_g-stilo-carbon_eps-lightweight-full-carbon-speedplay-sole

They do get similar construction with a laser-perforated synthetic upper, the reinforced structured vent on the side of the shoe, and a supportive heel cup. Making up for the down grade in dial closures, the Chrono+ gets even more options in the sole. For 300€ you can get the same lightweight full-carbon sole as the more expensive top shoes as the Carbon G.Chrono+ in either lasts for men or women. The men also get the option for direct Speedplay compatibility for the same price in the Speedplay Carbon G.Chrono+

Bringing the price down to 260€, Gaerne offers the Composite Carbon G.Chrono+ for men only with, you guessed it, a new lightweight that mixes an overall nylon construction with a carbon reinforced center section under the pedal, metatarsus & arch areas for a balance of comfort and stiffness.

The Chronos come in high vis yellow, blue, black & white for men, and white & black for women.

G.Kobra+

The mountain bike oriented Kobras carry over all of the same tech, since they are the same shoes just with a different outsole. Like the Sincros, they also add a small toe bumper and compatibility with screw-in toe spikes.

gaerne_g-sincro-carbon_-mtb-carbon-sole gaerne_g-sincro-carbon_-mtb-3-density-sole

They also get effectively the same options by way of soles. For 300€ you get the Carbon G.Kobra+ with the lightest, stiffest carbon sole and single compound soft lugs. For 260€ the G.Kobra+ shoes use a glass fiber reinforced nylon sole with a dual compound rubber tread that is actually more grippy. The women-specific last again gets fewer options, this time going for the 260€ reinforced nylon sole.

The colors are again the same: high vis yellow, blue, black & white for men, and white & black for women.

Gaerne.com

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mudrock
mudrock
7 years ago

It’s obscene how expensive shoes are. Not like the job these cycling shoes have to do is that complex. This sport has become too bourgeois. Feel free to jump on my case..

Dave
Dave
7 years ago

@mudrock. So what do you think is a reasonable amount for a cycling shoe? Now take into account a shoe that is made in Italy or Europe and not China or Asia? You can find plenty of $99.00 shoes.

And are you a shoe cobbler? Do you understand how to design and make a shoe? You are always going to pay more for a Gaerne, Sidi, DMT that is made in Italy or Europe because of the high cost of labor, materials, etc.

If you want a cheap shoe there are plenty to be had.

Zed Fechten
Zed Fechten
7 years ago
Reply to  Dave

I bet mudrock’s complaint was triggered by the statements in the article that these €300 shoes are competitively priced and within reach. To many people, they aren’t.

Yes, good shoes can be found for affordable prices, especially if you’re willing to be patient and look for sales. These aren’t those shoes.

Dave Mills
Dave Mills
7 years ago

i’ve been racing since the ’70’s, and trust me the equipment today is awesome. Try not being able to find shoes or helmets. My mother used to make our shorts out of wool fabric and chamois from the hardware store. We used to drive 60 miles to a bike shop because they had a shipment of tires.

It happens that the US importer of Gaerne, SH+ helmets and Bottecchia bicycles came on as sponsor of our NICA High School mt bike team. Good stuff, nice people, no complaints.

Ric Liang
Ric Liang
7 years ago

These are comparably priced to other European made shoes, like Sidi. As others have said, you wont find Italian make shoes for the same price as those coming from China.

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