Gaerne has revamped their second-tier road and mountain bike shoes, the new G.Chrono+ & G.Kobra+, to update them with almost all of the same tech as found in their premium G.Stilo+ & G.Sincro+ counterparts. The prices still aren’t down that much, with a change in which BOA dials were spec’d and how they are laid out, plus even more sole options, Gaerne is offering a lot more choice for buyers. Plus with women’s versions of both, they deliver premium full-carbon sole performance at competitive pricing…
The + signs in both names signal the same overhaul as found on their top shoes at the end of last year. With that they drop the lower velcro strap in favor of a simple wired Boa closure system. The wire is also where the Chrono/Kobra differ most from the Stilo/Sincro. First off these shoes go with a pair of the more affordable L6 Boa dials. They still offer the same side-specific operation (turn forward to tighten), but you can’t turn these back to micro-loosen; instead they just get turn to release. Also the mid foot dial gets four dial guides for precise adjustment like the pricier shoe, but these get just a single loop of two guides for less fine adjustment around the ankle as is standard on most other shoes.
G.Chrono+
They do get similar construction with a laser-perforated synthetic upper, the reinforced structured vent on the side of the shoe, and a supportive heel cup. Making up for the down grade in dial closures, the Chrono+ gets even more options in the sole. For 300€ you can get the same lightweight full-carbon sole as the more expensive top shoes as the Carbon G.Chrono+ in either lasts for men or women. The men also get the option for direct Speedplay compatibility for the same price in the Speedplay Carbon G.Chrono+
Bringing the price down to 260€, Gaerne offers the Composite Carbon G.Chrono+ for men only with, you guessed it, a new lightweight that mixes an overall nylon construction with a carbon reinforced center section under the pedal, metatarsus & arch areas for a balance of comfort and stiffness.
The Chronos come in high vis yellow, blue, black & white for men, and white & black for women.
G.Kobra+
The mountain bike oriented Kobras carry over all of the same tech, since they are the same shoes just with a different outsole. Like the Sincros, they also add a small toe bumper and compatibility with screw-in toe spikes.
They also get effectively the same options by way of soles. For 300€ you get the Carbon G.Kobra+ with the lightest, stiffest carbon sole and single compound soft lugs. For 260€ the G.Kobra+ shoes use a glass fiber reinforced nylon sole with a dual compound rubber tread that is actually more grippy. The women-specific last again gets fewer options, this time going for the 260€ reinforced nylon sole.
The colors are again the same: high vis yellow, blue, black & white for men, and white & black for women.
