This new mount bike shoe from V X is perfect for all sorts of applications including normal trail riding, freeriding, downhill, and more.

Specs

The uppers on the Maltese Falcon feature an Activity Leather exterior that sheds muck hands, along with a large Velcro strap covering the laces for a secure closure.

While this is a relatively low-rise shoe, the Maltese Falcon has a solid toe box and a secure heel cup to keep your foot firmly in place while cranking on the pedals.

The sole is the true soul of all shoes, and the sole of the Maltese Falcon is no exception. Nigh notably, these shoes can exist used on apartment pedals thank you to the super-tacky-even so-tough Stealth Rubber, simply they are designed to likewise be SPD compatible. Out of the box, a tough pad of Stealth Safe covers the cleat recess, merely once cutting away a cleat can be added.

Cleat Installation

Since I'1000 a slave to clipless pedals, I decided to install cleats right after pulling these out of the box. I idea that it would be a simple procedure involving taking a pocket knife to the safety, but I was mistaken. In the stop, I used a combination of a durable pocket pocketknife, a box cutter, and a pliers to remove the rubber cleat covering.

Sole with the rubber intact. / Peeling back the safety. / Cleat installed.

The rubber is rather thick and pretty sticky, so don't be afraid to go aggressive when cutting the square out. The pliers come into play because fifty-fifty once you've successfully cut around the safe roofing, it's nonetheless glued to the sole, requiring you to forcibly skin it off. Once off, slap the cleats in identify similar yous would on whatsoever other SPD compatible shoe, and you lot're good to become.

Out on the Trail

While the Maltese Falcon is no featherweight cantankerous state shoe (information technology isn't intended to be), it is easily calorie-free enough for normal trail riding applications.

Climbing for an hour? No problem. The high heel cup, tight velcro strap, and smartly-designed insole keep your human foot in place and foster excellent ability transfer to the pedals.

Where the shoes really shine is in freeride or downhill applications. The toe box is stiff and protective, blocking glancing blows from kicked-up rocks and other trail debris.

The Stealth Safety is super tacky, providing fantabulous traction when hiking upwards to your drop-in point. This proven rubber chemical compound provides great buy on all sorts of surfaces: shine wooden obstacles, slickrock, y'all proper noun it–these are confidence-inspiring when your feet are on the ground.

While the sole of the shoe is still strong plenty to provide plenty of power when pedaling, it does accept enough flexibility to offer some forgiveness when hiking.

In order to go along the pedal from getting caught in the sole of the shoe when disengaging the cleat (and it doesn't get defenseless–not in the least), the cleat does accept to poke out just the slightest chip. It'due south not enough to brand normal hiking or walking uncomfortable, but if you're walking on pavement y'all'll definitely hear and experience the crunching of metal on concrete.

Commuting

I've recently been experimenting with other applications for gear designed for downhillers, and I've constitute that DH gear tends to offering durable, dependable performance that is suitable for a diversity of situations. For instance, the Maltese Falcon is great for commuting duty.

I used to ride to school in my normal cross-country shoes, and either bear a pair of Chacos to switch into when I got there or just walk to class in my normal riding shoes. Carrying an extra pair of shoes effectually all day is a pain, and walking down the halls in normal XC shoes is loud and uncomfortable.

The Maltese Falcon mountain bicycle shoe offers the perfect compromise. It provides plenty of ability on the uphill slog to schoolhouse thanks to the cleat, and is comfy enough to wear around campus all day. As an added bonus, the skate shoe styling and subdued blackness and crimson graphics make these look nigh like your average pair of street shoes, though they are and then much more!

Bottom Line

The descents, the climbs, the hike-a-bikes, and the hallways–the Maltese Falcon shoe dominates them all. This excellent alloy of pedaling power, control, comfort, and protection spells success in so many ways. If y'all're in the market place for a comfortable SPD shoe and are interested in using it for any (or all) of these applications, exist sure to give the Maltese Falcon a hard wait.

MSRP: $139.95

Many cheers to Five Ten for providing these shoes for review!