Monarch Triathlon / Cycling Shoe

Still waiting for my shoes 😣

As a professional triathlete, I’m always looking at how I could get faster with the latest equipment trends or adjustments. I’ve had a few races where I had a lot of trouble getting my feet in my bike shoes and realized that there was an opportunity for improvement there. I started looking at bike shoes and discovered the velovetta monarchs. I love how easy it is to slip in and out of these shoes, and having the tightness already pre-set helps to cut down time adjusting it. They are also super comfortable and aero, can’t wait to race in these with faster transitions! The customer service was great too and the shoes arrived pretty quickly. Highly recommend them!

As an 80 year old still racing 70.3 events. The ease of getting into and out of the shoes was a must and is great. Also as an athlete that cannot push high watts any savings is a higher percentage for me than stronger athletes. Love the shoes and have recommended to my world champion athlete that I coach.

When I say, "big foot", I'm talking about those who are encouraged to purchase wide toe box. Those with a taller arch or overall thicker from bottom to top of the foot. My running shoe: Size 13 US Brand: Altra

Customer service: Fantastic
I began seriously biking, namely for triathlon, in 2022. So overall new to the sport. My shoes I had worn previously have been Giro. When I was looking through the web page, I found it straight forward, but because of my 0 knowledge, I reached out to their Facebook page and, while a bit of a delay occurred, once the conversation was going, they helped me all the way through the ordering process. Even after submitting and continuing the conversation, suggesting a size smaller than I was going to order. which was the right call

Fit: SNUG
Very, Very, VERY snug. In comparison to my Giro's these were more like an extra layer of skin than just a pair of shoes... HOWEVER, this will be expanded on in a second.

First ride: holy game changer.
Did I set a new PR on the route I did, no. That being said, the overall improvement in efficiency through the pedal motion was night and day difference. the fit of the shoe allows a better stability for the ankle through the entire pedal sequence. this improvement also provided a better pull phase. As a result, the efficiency allowed a lower effort ride, while maintaining a better speed in comparable conditions to the old shoes.

The dirty but honest: the cycling version of a ballerina shoe.

While the fit was fantastic, it did involve voiding the return policy. Being 100% transparent. When I put them on right out of the box, the shoes raised some concerns. Getting my fat foot in with the cables connect wasn't going to happen. so first had to put the shoes on and sit for an hour, wasn't overly comfortable, but ever so slightly. Cool, then reviewed the design and adjusted the cables to a length that they would fit with the shoe on and then finness so that when securing they did the job. Getting there.
With feeling how it was, and knowing just needing a hair bigger, I stuffed a bottle of rum in the heel and a tennis ball in the toe, as far as I could anyway. Did this for two hours in each shoe. As a result, I was able to put the shoes on easier when got to the park and ride I was leaving from. It will take some practice getting acclimated to the shoe design for a flying mount, but the dismount was easy enough. Word of caution, the balance is a bit different, so careful so you don't roll of the pedal.

Like I said, it's like a ballerina slipper: need to mod it right out of the box to fit the way you want. Some may be deterred by that but let me emphasize that I AM NOT THE TYPICAL DEMOGRAPHIC. 6' 2", 285lbs. Big boy, big feet. Once i get the flying mount down with these, this is going to be a game changer for me.

I was rather excited when I order new VeloVetta online. They were a bit expensive but I thought that they would be worth it. I followed the clear instructions meticulously to have the right size as advised on the website.

I became less excited when I noticed at the check out that I had to pay about EUR 60 to have these shoes delivered at home. I never had to pay such an amount for delivery. After I bought the shoes anyway I received an e-mail from VeloVetta saying that import duties were due in the amount of EUR 166 which were not mentioned before. I wrote back to VeloVetta that this was to much for me and asked to cancel my purchase. The wrote back saying that it was too late because I only send my e-mail after 2 days.

So yesterday I received my VeloVetta shoes for which I have paid in total about EUR 500. However, much to my surprise they do not fit although I meticulously followed the guidelines. Now my only option is to send the shoes back which will cost me another EUR 60. The VeloVetta will have to send me new shoes in the correct size and that costs again EUR 60. In addition import duties will have to be paid again for another EUR 166. Hopefully after having done all that I will have my shoes for approximately EUR 800. Any advise?
Johan