At first I thought it difficult to install considering the first one cracked and I thought this piece too fragile to really man handle. Mine cracked on the thinnest part of the lateral side of the piece. There's a few online reviews of people complaining this is hard to install as well. Not the case however. You have to, with your thumb, push the male piece out far enough so it will fit back in the female end. It won't break, the plastic is flexible enough. The whole piece though, unlike the original, moves up and down far more easier and freely once the replacement is attached. I actually didn't know it did that......but it most certainly does now. Not a bad thing however. All of this will make sense should you try what I'm saying.
I bought this shoe specifically to use for cyclocross as it has a boa closure system to dial in the fit and the option to add front spikes. At first I thought the shoe was too narrow in my correct size but after about 5 minute warming up in the shoe, it completely surprised me to how well it fit and stayed snug around my foot. There is just the right amount of arch support and with the front velcro strap you can adjust to allow your toes more or less room to customize the fit or adjust as your feet heat up on a long ride. Power transfer through the footbed is solid and the insole provides just the right amount of supportive cushion. This is a great MTB shoe that is very lightweight and fits your foot like a glove with the perfect amount of adjustability. I am now a new fan of Giro shoes!
I'm on my third Giro Synthe Mips. They fit me really well, are incredibly lightweight, and protect your head really well. I've had a couple of serious knocks in the head, serious enough to warrant a new helmet, and the Synthe Mips protected me head really well.
