QUOC Gran Tourer XC Evaluate

compose Lucas Winzenburg
time Apr 27, 2023
remark 11

QUOC’s Gran Tourer first hit the market in 2018, and it’s been a broadly interesting shoe to quite a lot of cyclists for its sturdy building, comfortable match that breaks in over time, and distinctive appears to be like. 4 years after its preliminary launch, QUOC’s Gran Tourer II took middle stage within the impartial UK-based model’s line-up. Sustaining the identical silhouette as the unique, it built-in a handful of latest efficiency options and got here with a barely larger price ticket to match. Joe and I shared a evaluate of the Gran Tourer II round this time final 12 months, which you could find linked within the Associated Content material grid on the backside of this put up.

Now, simply 12 months after the discharge of the up to date Gran Tourer II (GTII), QUOC is again with one other—maybe the ultimate—iteration of their flagship shoe, the QUOC Gran Tourer XC, which pushes the extra universally enticing Gran Tourer additional right into a extremely specialised, performance-focused area of interest. It incorporates much more fashionable supplies, doubles down on the management dial that changed laces within the earlier iteration, and ratchets up the worth as soon as once more. I’ve spent round a month in them now, using singletrack trails and gravel roads round Colorado, which has given me sense of how nicely they stay as much as QUOC’s declare of being the “final off-road journey shoe.”

QUOC Gran Tourer II vs. QUOC Gran Tourer XC

Regardless of their comparable aesthetics, there are some vital variations below the hood, err, tongue, relative to its predecessor. The place the Gran Tourer II has a nylon-composite midsole, the brand new Gran Tourer XC encompasses a tremendous stiff, high-end carbon midsole. The only in-house-developed dial on the GTIIs was changed by a dual-dial design on the XC. The GTII’s proprietary GravelGrip rubber tread has been upgraded to a Thermoplastic Urethane (TPU) tread, and the built-in rubber towards the toe of the outsole now comes within the type of a replaceable TPU spike. All of those refinements—let’s simply name them modifications—add as much as a shoe that’s extra premium in options and value, and the Gran Tourer XC will set patrons again a substantial $310 (€275 EUR/£240 GBP). I’ll stroll by every of those new modifications and the way they have an effect on the shoe’s general efficiency.

For a lot of, a serious draw of the Gran Tourer XC is its efficiency carbon midsole that, in keeping with QUOC, gives “unequalled stiffness and effectivity for racing.” I don’t doubt that declare, and the brand new sole certainly feels assured underfoot when pedaling. I don’t have the means to take goal measurements, however it at the very least feels prefer it’s offering higher energy switch than in all probability every other shoe I’ve tried, regardless of how marginal these features could also be for a non-competitive rider like me.

If a mega-stiff carbon sole appeals to you, the XC delivers on this regard. Nonetheless, the identical stiffness that provides to your pedaling efficiency will seemingly take away out of your strolling enjoyment. I discover them excessively stiff for comfortably strolling round off the bike, but when your rides are extra centered than mine and don’t contain a number of espresso stops or wandering round taking pictures photographs, the elevated stiffness could also be a welcome replace.

As with the carbon midsole, QUOC’s implementation of twin dials is one other key side of the XC’s metamorphosis. The place the Gran Touer II relied on a single dial to tighten and loosen the shoe, the XC’s second dial helps create a extra tuneable match. The 2 dials and cables function independently of one another, permitting wearers to regulate the strain on the higher and decrease components of the shoe.

I’m of two minds about this. Two dials certainly provide a better degree of precision, however additionally they add complexity and one other level of failure. Riders who need to alter the match on the fly now want to regulate two dials as an alternative of 1, and it’s another factor to fret about breaking within the backcountry. Certain, QUOC’s dials are replaceable ($26/piece), however not within the ubiquitous means laces are. I wrote within the GTII evaluate that I’ve damaged laces whereas touring throughout locations corresponding to rural Albania previously, and I used to be simply capable of finding replacements. I wouldn’t pedal off on an prolonged journey by an unknown place within the Gran Tourer XCs with out a substitute dial in my equipment.

In real-world use, my expertise with the dials has been principally constructive. They operate as meant, rushing up the method of taking the footwear on and off and offering quantity of adjustability on the higher and decrease parts of the shoe. I usually like QUOC’s use of a easy clockwise/counterclockwise turning system to tighten and loosen the footwear, and the dials didn’t work their means free on lengthy rides. QUOC claims the dual-dial system makes for an “fully hotspot-free expertise,” and whereas I can’t confirm that they’ll provide supreme consolation for anybody else’s ft, hotspots weren’t an issue for me. General, I’d say QUOC didn’t give something up by creating their very own dials as an alternative of going with industry-standard BOAs. They work! Nonetheless, I’ll take the simplicity of laces over a dial system any day for adventures additional afield, however I can see the attraction for quick rides nearer to house.

Reasonably than GravelGrip rubber specced on the GTII and Gran Tourer Lace fashions, QUOC is now utilizing a TPU tread on the only real of the XCs (in addition to the newly launched Escape Off-Highway footwear, which Joe will share a evaluate of quickly). TPU, which is made from each plastic and rubber, is extra hardwearing and sturdy than rubber alone, however I’m not satisfied that it’s as snug or forgiving in its grip. It’s not an evening and day distinction, however plainly what the TPU features in robustness, it loses in traction on slick surfaces corresponding to rocky inclines and even sloping pavement. Evaluating the soles of my GTIIs and Gran Tourer XCs side-by-side, the TPU on the latter is noticeably much less delicate and squishy to the contact.

Having destroyed rubber soles in a single journey by the mountains earlier than, I can respect the added sturdiness of TPU. That stated, I’ve discovered the efficiency of the GravelGrip on the GTIIs to be distinctive within the 12 months I’ve been sporting them, and I’ve a slight desire for it over the brand new TPU tread. It’s price noting that a few of the perceived slipperiness may additionally consequence from the stiffer sole that makes strolling really feel much less pure. Equally, I’ve discovered the brand new TPU spikes rather less clingy than the built-in rubber tread on the GTIIs, although their replaceability is a worthwhile improve, as that space tends to be comparatively fast to wear down for riders who find yourself on lengthy walks with their bikes.

Because the starting, QUOC’s footwear have had an unmistakably premium appear and feel, and the Gran Touer XCs proceed that custom. They’ve a high-end look, thought-about colours, and use deluxe supplies. Their award-winning microfiber is deceptively powerful and abrasion-resistant. It cleans simply, too. Because of the XC’s organically positioned air holes, additionally they breathe impressively nicely, at the very least within the ~85°F (~30°C) temperatures I’ve been testing them in. QUOC claims the air holes are one-way perforations that don’t let the weather in, and whereas I’m slightly skeptical about how that works, they’ve stored my ft dry and clear to date. The included toe cap does job of providing some safety up entrance, and the totally recessed cleat mount retains you from slipping round like a roadie.

Additionally included with the 4 substitute TPU spikes and installer are two units of arch inserts to assist dial within the match with low (default), medium, or excessive arch assist. I by no means swapped these out, as this wasn’t considered one of my issues with the match. As regards to match, although, “measure twice, purchase as soon as” is the very best recommendation I may give with respect to QUOC’s sizing. Briefly, you’re unlikely to be the dimensions you suppose you’re, and it’s finest to seek the advice of their dimension information or e mail them earlier than ordering.

In my case, I’ve come to the unlucky conclusion that they don’t fairly make a dimension that’s large enough for me, as I can solely get away with sporting an EU 47—their largest dimension—if I put on skinny socks. QUOC’s personal Additional Wonderful Merino Wool Socks stay my all-time favorites after a few years of use, however I can’t comfortably put on them with any of their footwear. Though I could make these work, one dimension up can be my very best match, particularly for the cooler months. I do know I’m not alone in wishing for greater sizes.

As at all times, the most recent Gran Tourers can be found in a stunning assortment of colours. I feel the Dusty Pink, Black, and Charcoal are all equally good, and I’d be pleased with any of them. All three characteristic reflective accents, this time in a nature-inspired sample as an alternative of a strong strip like on the GTIIs. They’ve a uniquely “QUOC” look and are among the many best-looking biking footwear available on the market, for my part.

• Worth: $310 USD/€275 EUR/£240 GBP
• Sizes Obtainable: EU 38-47
• Colours Obtainable: Black, Charcoal (pictured), Dusty Pink
• Precise Weight (Dimension 47): 390 grams (one shoe with out cleat)
• Place of Manufacture: Vietnam
• Extra Particulars: Quoc.cc

The Gran Tourer XCs can be found now in all sizes and colours, and QUOC lately introduced that they’ve launched wholesale operations in america. Patrons within the US can now buy the model’s full vary of footwear by a rising variety of stockists. All QUOC footwear embrace a one-year restricted guarantee. You possibly can study extra or purchase a pair over at QUOC.cc.

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