ProTek
Tekna II
ProTek
Testimonials
David Spray
Houston, TX / Breckenridge, CO
I have two pair of the Riivo full-custom road bike shoes. My only regret is that I did not learn of Riivo sooner! As someone who is 6’4”, 205 lbs, with a 44” chest, 34” waist, 26” thighs, a 37” sleeve, and odd-shaped feet that are a 13.25 on the left and 14 on the right, I am no stranger to custom clothing and footwear. I have had custom shirts, suits, western boots, dress shoes, hiking boots, and cycling shoes custom made for me over the past 20 years. But the Riivo shoes were by far the BEST custom experience of my life!! I had some other custom cycling shoes made about 10 years ago by a company in Colorado and they never really fit and I stopped wearing them. It wasn’t until I had the Riivo’s made that I learned that those other shoes were not truly custom. What a difference it makes to have true custom cycling shoes from Riivo! They fit so well and are so comfortable. The experience with Brad was fabulous from start to finish. He is truly a craftsman and committed to getting it right. Brad want above and beyond making post-production tweaks as well as tweaking the last for the 2nd pair. I would highly recommend Brad and his company for anyone who is ready to step up to cycling “slippers”!
Avid Road, MTB, and Fat Bike Rider
Matt Hanson - 2015 & 2107 North American Ironman Champion
Storm Lake, IA
The Riivo shoes are absolutely awesome. From the first ride, I knew I made the right choice. They are the stiffest, yet most comfortable shoe that I have ever rode in. It was great to be able to design a shoe to have everything I wanted in and on them, and look any way I liked. Absolutely nothing I would change.
Professional Triathlete
Balazs Csoke
Woodlands, TX
First thing I have noticed about the shoes, that they are extremely comfortable and just feel so natural. I didn’t need any time to get use to them or wear them in, they were perfect from the first moment. Another very important factor is that, you have a chance to talk to the person directly who makes the shoes. I don’t think anyone can experience something like this when you purchase a sport good. I am extremely happy since I’ve been riding Riivo Shoes
Ironman Champion Professional Triathlete
Dirk Sprogoe
St. Louis, Missouri
I've tried many brands of custom cycling shoes, from Italian Nalini's to 3 different American brands. Each of them required me to send them back to "modify" the fit, and none of them were very durable. From the moment I put on my Riivo's, I was pleased. They fit perfectly and didn't look like a kid's high school project. They've held up amazingly, and I plan on adding a mountain pair in the near future. Save yourself some time, buy the Riivo's, and I can promise you that the biggest problem you will have with them is picking which model and which colors you'll want.
Cat II, road/track/cyclocross. Expert Mtb
Peter Kotland
Moore, SC
Work of Art!
After racing, and training for over 20 years, I finally took the next logical step up, and opted for a semi-custom Sincro RIIVO cycling shoes. In the past I've used almost every brand out there. Some of them just didn't fit at all, some of them were pretty good, and comfortable.
However, non of them can compare to my Sincro shoes. After using them for over 6,000mi my feet have never been happier.
Things I notices - never have to loosen them or adjust them during long ride - they just fit perfect. No hotspots! They are extremely light - you can't almost feel them. Very breathable. Riding in 100+F temperatures, and high humidity - again absolutely no discomfort.
Brad - thank you for getting into to cycling shoes! Simply great!
peterkotland.com
professional triathlete
Chris Evans
Redwood City, CA
I've been very happy with the semi-custom shoes I received. The fit is exactly what I hoped for and the build quality has been impeccable. I've only had the shoes for ~3000 miles, but if I cleaned them you wouldn't be able to tell them from new.
NCNCA 30-34 District RR Champion, cat 2
Brain Thieme
St Louis Missouri
After riding with my new Riivo shoes for a couple weeks I can very happily say that I am able to ride pain free for the first time in many years, my feet are different sizes and different widths one is a little under a 10 EE and the other is an 11 standard width. I have tried the top of the line Shimano road shoe which is heat mold able and sidi megas and never able to ride without terrible pain in my feet, my Riivo's have finally alleviated that. I couldn't be more happy with the shoes and the service, Brad took the time to answer all of my questions and concerns and the build quality is amazing I had a chance to see these and another custom shoe makers products at NAHBS and it was no question to me as to which were made better. If your considering them take the jump and do it your feet will thank you !
Rich Mull
Malibu, CA
I have two pair of the Riivo Tekna full custom shoes. I have had them a couple of years and absolutely swear by them. I put in on average at least 250 miles/week of race/base training and am competing both domestically and internationally at the Masters level. I have some issues with one foot so the ability to create a one piece sole/orthotic that has the variations I need to correct the problem is very important. That molding also creates much better grip, are light and hold up better than most shoes. The ability to get a speedplay hole system is also a plus.
Andy Kutach
Bullard Tx
I have had my Riivo's for over a year now and can say they are by far my favorite pair of shoes. I rode custom D2's for 5 years and in the last year year I have only worn the D2s 2 times, both times when its raining. If you have issues with your feet and come home after a ride and all you can think about is taking your cycling shoes off, these are for you. The only issue I can see if once you wear these you will not want anything else. I know if something happened to my Riivos today I would be ordering a pair the next day.
Cat 2 Road
Davis Hunt
Nashville, Tennessee
I have been riding for over thirty years and have never owned a pair of bike shoes that did not hurt my feet. Just received my first pair of Riivo shoes and have taken a couple of long rides. The shoes are awesome, fit perfectly and have finally solved my hurting feet issue! The workmanship is first class and the shoes look great (I loved choosing the color scheme). I am looking forward to many long hours on the bike where, at least, my feet will no longer hurt. Thanks for your great product and for the great experience of having my foot molds made in your shop. Enjoyed every second of it.
Mark Miller / Owner of Precision Bikes
114 Rena Drive
Lafayette, La. 70503
I have been riding and racing for over 20 years and until this year had never owned a pair of Custom cycling shoes. While at the Texas Ironman Expo I decided to talk with Brad Harper owner of Rilvo shoes. Needless to say I put a pair on order. I mostly race long course triathlon and wear road shoes all the time. Once casted by Brad it was only a matter of time before I received my pair of shoes. The fit and comfort from the shoes are like no other. The shoe actually feels more of a part of you on the bike. I am sold and back Brad and his product, the best shoes I have ever worn!
70.3 Worlds Qualifier
Ironman World Championship
Norseman Extreme Finisher
30 Time Ironman Finisher
Troy Attwell
Sacramento, CA
I have been speed skating for: 25 + years, and over the last 12 years, I have had the pleasure of racing on only Edgetek boots, and Riivo cycling shoes. I have enormous bunions from all the wear and tear on my feet over the years, and Brad has made my boots like gloves, with every bend around the bones perfectly, so that I can skate and ride comfortably. I have tried other competitors, but they can never really get around the bumps on my feet. Brad has perfected this. I have won many national championships on these boots, and won cycling races as well on his shoes. I am a fan and advocate for life. You cant perform at your best without the right equipment.
tattwell@mastersteammortgage.com
Inline Speed Skating/Cycling
Joe
Austin TX
Brad has provided excellent customer service and attention to detail. I have three pairs of stock shoes and find them to be very durable, comfortable, light and better value / investment than the big name brands. Thank you Brad!
Lifelong Cyclist – Masters Racer
Johny Ray
Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
Riivo shoe is better than the actual photos. I just try it for the first time a few days ago, I wore it for the first time and go with the fast group (at least they fast for me] they go 40-43 km/h on flat. Usually I have to adapt with new shoe for a while, at that time no chance at all. The group rode like hell, I even didn't adjust cleat position properly. So try my best to follow them and I did it. After the flat. We go uphill for 800 meter above sea level and go back.
skill level: I just love to ride,cycling about 300 kms a week.
Lorne Shiff
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I was at the 2014 North American Handmade Bicycle Show and had not thought about investing in a pair of custom handmade shoes in the past. There were three companies present and I went to talk to each of them. After making the decision to purchase a pair of shoes I felt that Brads experience and craftsmanship with the Riivo shoes would be the way to go. The reason for me wanting a pair of custom shoes is I am a Type 1 Diabetic and have neuropathy, which causes my foot to go numb and get very painful. I do about 8 century rides a season mostly with JDRF Ride To Cure Diabetes, www.ride.jdrf.org . My purchase was a success and so far this season the shoes have been fantastic with little if no pain after a number of century rides. If you are considering a pair of custom shoes do not hesitate any longer and get a pair if Riivo from Brad!
Dick Van Hooser
Cedar Park, TX (an Austin suburb)
I’m a 75 year-old recreational rider. I like to ride a few centuries each year and I average a little over 100 miles per week.
My feet are different sizes. Right foot size 11, left foot size 10 1/2. My ankles seem to be closer to the ground than average. My feet are wider at the front than at the heel. I was using a pair of Specialized shoes that were several years old. I had modified them with several bits of internal padding and on long rides they still made my feet hurt. The soles were breaking up so I went shopping and even with the same brand (and I tried on every brand in Austin) I couldn’t find a shoe that didn’t hurt my ankle by pressing up against it on the outside. Then my wife said “you have a custom built bicycle, surely someone makes custom built shoes”. Wow, what a thought! A little Googling (Binging, actually) and I found Riivo and the rest is history.
Rohn Grant
Thailand
Email: rohn.grant@gmail.com
My name is Rohn Grant, I am 63 years old, avid American cyclist living in Thailand. I am lucky to have good health, and being able to retire early, spend much of my time distance cycling in the Thai countryside. Over the last 50 years, I average more than 15,000 KM cycling every year, some years more than 20,000 KM. A good mix of Audax, citizen races, local club rides, and family social rides. My profile can be found on Strava under my name or athlete #1740590. I am 187 cm tall, weigh 100 kg., and wear a size 48 wide shoe (USA size 13.5 EEE). I am a hard to fit and at the edge of sizing charts, especially for shoes.
My feet are big and wide. Fit always has been a compromise and I put up with bad fitting shoes since day one. I tried every brand, and had even tried “semi-custom” from 3 different shoes makers. I was never happy, none of these “solutions” really worked on my feet. Nothing seemed to accommodate my large, wide, and sport injured feet (multi-fractures in the left foot that have calcified over time). Due to the old injury in the left foot, my two feet were shaped completely differently.
Once I tried semi-custom from another custom supplier. There was a mistake made in communication between the maker and the LBS. My two pair were made to fit orthotics that were not actually used. Later this maker went through bankruptcy and never compensated me for their fitting error. Recently, when I decided to go the full custom route, I did contact this maker again and found them to be difficult to talk to (perhaps even arrogant), increasing the chances for another mistake. That’s when I contacted Brad Harper at Harper Sports about his Riivo Protek cycling shoes. He listened, made notes about my case, asked many questions, provided the training for the castings, and the tools to insure a proper fit. I found Brad Harper to be professional and easy to work with during the entire process of designing to my specifications, and fitting these full custom cycling shoes.
Brad also worked to help train “first timers” in the craft of plaster hand casting. This was necessary as I live in Thailand. Harper Sports sent the plaster and tools to my son in Texas, who later made a (cycling) trip to Thailand. We both watched Brad’s YouTube video several times and made a few dry trials. Brad even offered a live video conference to make sure we did it right. I did need to order some more plaster as we rushed the process and damaged one of the castings by removing it too fast. It was our first time, and we ultimately got two good impressions from three attempts. We let the castings properly dry and my son hand carried back to Texas, forwarding on my behalf to Harper Sports. At that time, Brad Harper contacted me and let me know that the castings had arrived, confirmed all the details (asking about some small, but very important custom features, and pointing out that with my big wide feet, I’d probably be using extended pedal spindles- he really does know his stuff), and finally informed me the production schedule.
Via a nephew’s vacation, about eight weeks later, my shoes arrived Thailand. The build quality was apparent the minute I opened the box. The shoes were expertly bonded and hand stitched, the uppers made from some super durable synthetic, the soles made from a stiff carbon fiber. The Protek’s have two pair of the latest boa fasteners and a lower strap, insuring an even and snug fit. I spent the first week setting up both pair and making micro adjustments in the cleat placement. I started the break in with slightly thinner socks, and now after some break in period, switched back to my regular thickness.
The fit is – AMAZING! Beyond expectations! These shoes are clearly the highlight of my cycling season.
I kick myself in the ass for waiting so many years of pain to order these full custom Riivos. Of course the perfect fit allows me to cycling longer with greater comfort. I also have noticed a pick-up of about 5 watts on average, due to less slippage in the heal, and other issues, such as debonding of the soles to the uppers in previous shoes. No burning sensation in the ball of my feet any longer due to the stiff carbon sole. I’ll be able to save a couple of marginal toe nails as a result of this perfect fit.
Due to the better arch support and accommodation of the calcified deformity of the left foot – I can actually walk like a normal person after finishing my cycling work out. Really, the entire process, from first contact until the moment the shoes arrived- working with Riivo and Brad Harper was a great custom experience. The service, quality of product, fit, and overall value are second to none. A real game changer.
Thank you Harper Sports for putting real pleasure and comfort back into my cycling!