Ride Review: Shimano RX910 S-PHYRE
First and foremost, the Shimano S-PHYRE RX910 is a gravel shoe — designed from the ground up for speed, stability, and long days on variable terrain. When purchasing cycling gear, you play a game of compromises. A burlier tire offers better grip at the expense of rolling speed; lower tire pressure improves traction but increases the risk of flats. The RX910 throws a wrench into that system, offering road-level stiffness and stability in an off-road package.
And in this case, Shimano struck one of the smartest balances we’ve seen: a shoe that’s uncompromisingly efficient on gravel, yet capable enough to hold its own in certain cross-country (XC) scenarios.
Shimano claims, “This isn’t just a more stable SPD shoe — it’s an SPD shoe that acts like an SPD-SL on the bike and an XC shoe off it.” Is that true? Read on to see my thoughts on this new flagship from Shimano.
Design and Construction
Shimano built the RX910 to feel like a road shoe that can survive gravel. The TPU-reinforced synthetic leather upper wraps seamlessly around the foot, offering an exceptionally clean profile and a locked-in feel. Two BOA Li2 dials manage tension with micro-adjustments in both directions, distributing pressure evenly across the upper.
Protection is minimal but thoughtful — added texture around the toe and along the bottom of the shoe helps the uppers handle a bit more abuse while staying light and supple. Underneath, a carbon composite sole delivers a solid platform to push on. With a stiffness rating of 12, it mirrors the road-going RC903, and sits just above the XC903’s level-11 rating.
Paired with Shimano’s all-new Pontoon System for added pedal stability, the RX910 feels planted and smooth — especially with a tight-fitting SPD interface.
The Pontoon System
The all-new Pontoon System from Shimano is designed to bring road-pedal stability to a two-bolt SPD platform. If you’ve been following gravel or XC marathon racing lately, you’ve likely noticed more top-level athletes running road shoes and pedals to achieve a better pedaling platform and improved aerodynamics. The downside? Road shoes make it nearly impossible to get off and walk when things get muddy or steep.
Enter the Pontoons. These modular, side-mounted contact blocks sit on either side of the cleat to increase the contact surface between pedal and shoe. The result: greater stability, tunability, and — crucially — replaceability. Many shoes are built with this idea in mind, but as the contact points wear down, that firm connection disappears. Shimano’s replaceable design means you can maintain a consistent, solid platform ride after ride.
Fit and Feel
Like the rest of the S-PHYRE line, the RX910 fits close and secure without being punishing. The heel cup locks in firmly, the toe box has a touch of extra space for longer efforts, and the dual-dial BOA system allows for precise mid-ride adjustments. Ventilation and drainage are balanced — not overly airy, but comfortable in a range of conditions.
On the bike, the RX910 almost disappears. Power transfer is immediate, but the shoe never feels harsh. It’s stiff enough to sprint and climb out of the saddle, yet comfortable enough for six-hour gravel races where a hint of flex and forgiveness go a long way.
Ride Impressions
Where this shoe really shines is when you stay clipped in. That might sound obvious, but the RX910 performs more like a road shoe with just enough protection for off-road use. It rewards smooth pedaling with crisp response and an incredibly connected feel.
That same stiffness makes hike-a-bike sections less friendly — the lugs are hard, the sole is stiff, and traction is modest — but for most gravel and XC marathon terrain, that’s an acceptable trade-off. As long as you’re riding, these shoes should last a long time. It’s the walking that’ll wear them down.
On rolling terrain and long climbs, the RX910 feels fast and purposeful. You notice the efficiency on every sustained effort — much like how a lightweight hardtail climbs compared to a full-suspension bike. The payoff for losing a little off-bike traction is energy that goes straight into forward motion.
The Gravel–XC Overlap
The RX910 sits neatly between Shimano’s RC9 road shoe and XC9 mountain shoe, but its tuning feels unique. It’s lighter and sleeker than an XC shoe, yet more practical and durable than anything on the road side.
I see this shoe as more than just a gravel option. As mentioned earlier, it’s increasingly common for XC marathon riders to opt for road shoes over standard XC models to maximize stiffness and power transfer. The RX910 fills that void — offering the benefits racers are looking for in a road shoe, but without the compromises that come with one.
For XC riders who rarely dab a foot, or gravel racers chasing every watt, it hits the sweet spot.
The Verdict
Shimano’s first gravel-specific S-PHYRE shoe nails what so many mixed-terrain riders have been asking for: road-level performance with off-road practicality. It’s built to ride, not to walk — and that’s exactly what makes it great.
Who It’s For: Gravel racers and performance-focused riders who value stiffness, efficiency, and a secure fit.
Who It’s Not For: Riders who spend lots of time off the bike or regularly tackle muddy hike-a-bike terrain.
Learn More
Anxious to learn more about Shimano shoes, either for road, XC, or gravel? Shoot us a message at info@contenderbicycles.com or give us a call at (801) 364-0344.
