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Chrome Arnhem
April 7, 2010
For some strange reason the cycling world has taken an extremely long time in coming out with a shoe that is both functional for riding, but has style on and off the bike. Chrome has finally done it. The Chrome Arnhem is essentially a black suede chukka boot. The Arnhem is a shoe that functions well both on and off the bike, and can surprisingly pull off a semi formal look if needed.
The look is really got me with these shoes. They really do look nice, both with shorts or pants and they can somehow pull double duty, from casual to a night out. When I first put them on I was a little worried about how they fit. They seemed a little loose in the heal cup no matter how I tightened them. I however laced them up and got on the bike for a nice ride to the store, and they felt great. When on the bike the board lasted sole distributes the pedal pressure across the front of the foot, making for a noticable comfortable ride. When I first got off the bike, my initial feels of a loose heal cup were gone. They seemed like they needed a very, very short break in period.
What really makes the Arnhem a cycling shoe is the footbed and sole. With re-inforced shank and crash pad, as well as a board lasted sole, they just seem a lot more comfortable on the bike than most shoes. Over the weeks that I have been riding with them they have definetely prevented the burning muscles in my feet from acting up. But make no mistake these shoes are not super stiff like a typical "SPD" cycling shoe, the sole still has some flex, just not as much as most shoes of a similar style.
After weeks of riding the Chrome Arnhem is really starting to grow on me. It is the small attention to details that really make the shoe stand out, there is even a very small reflective patch on the back of the shoe. It lights up great when a head light is on it, but is subtle during the day. Chrome has hit the nail on the head with these shoes, and this should help them become known for more than messenger bags. There other models come in a variety of colours, but the Arnhem, much like the early Ford automobiles, the Chrome Arnhem comes in any color, so long as it is black.
Price: $90 USD
Details: A low profile cycling shoe with style
Pros: Looks great, comfy
Cons: Sole is not as still as most cycling shoes
Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars
Chrome
Reviewed by: Ryan