…cycling shoes. And not just bog-standard ones…
After launching gloves, you can see how Giro then thought it would be a good idea to make some shoes.
Chipps is currently in Livigno, seeing what there is to see prior to the shoes’ official launch at Eurobike on Wednesday… Here are some pics of the new mountain bike shoe and the new road shoe. Both feature carbon soles and nicely ratcheting straps. We’ll have to wait for him to ride them tomorrow and see the Powerpoint Brainwash before he comments one how they feel…
Livigno. A great place to test shoes. Oh, and it's a Duty Free town... a great place to lose journalists.
Pick a pair… Perhaps a size nine?
Giro's new mountain bike shoes. Or one of the pairs...Early reports are good... We've had to go up half a size though.Really well thought out shoe tread...Easton carbon soles on both the mountain and road shoes. They're all one happy family.Gloss white and red. Ideal for roadie showoffs. Ahem...Did we mention the mountains? Mountain bike ride on Sunday... the Stelvio on Monday... eek!The mountain shoes in action. Fit is pretty spot-on so far.Yes, it's Hans Rey with a bottle of wine, somewhere on a mountain pass. These kind of crazy things happen in Livigno, OK?
Hans Rey has pioneered a 'flow country' trail in Livigno. It's a fast and flowing trail with berms and lots of rollers. It's like a giant pump track. You can ride it slow and smooth, or jump and scuff your way down if you're good. It's short, but fun.
It's a shoe last. Rather than getting an off the shelf one, Giro decided to make its own and took over a year in deciding on the right shape, down to quibbling between two lasts that were 1mm different.
OK, who thought the original samples were a bit dull? How about these colourful ones? Sorry, there are no lasers (yet) though.Stealth black? And a triple reinforced toebox (the place we normally kill shoes on rocks)There'll be more photos and more technical detail, but we thought you'd like to see some more pretty pictures of shoes.
With 23 years as Editor of Singletrack World Magazine, Chipps is the longest-running mountain bike magazine editor in the world. He started in the bike trade in 1990 and became a full time mountain bike journalist at the start of 1994. Over the last 30 years as a bike writer and photographer, he has seen mountain bike culture flourish, strengthen and diversify and bike technology go from rigid steel frames to fully suspended carbon fibre (and sometimes back to rigid steel as well.)
the high end versions weigh in next to naff all. really impressive. even the lower end mtb models are looking hot.the prices were a bit off putting but if you want some of the best kit out there…
I presume the mtn shoes don’t have a Goretex membrane (or similar). In which case they’re hardly suitable for >50% of UK mountain biking in my opinion.
Compared to the hillwalking / mountaineering footwear industry, biking is years behind. The designs are basic, have no membranes and as gasman says, about as suitable for Scottish riding as a jesus sandal. We don’t all want to buy a shimano ‘winter’ boot when we need a dry foot!
If someone like asolo, scarpa or meindl made biking shoes the other manufacturers would be toast pretty quickly.
Hang on a sec grizzpup and Jim…
These are pitched as being race shoes. You don’t see racers racing in GoreTex shoes. When they doubtless launch a winter/UK shoe/boot then it probably will have a membrane and be designed for the rigours of a UK winter…
It’d be interesting to see what a hiking shoe company would come up with though – the needs of cycling shoes are a lot different to walking shoes.
I stayed in a hotel in the top pic on my first snowboarding hol. Its the one on the far right and stayed on the top floor. I think it was called hotel Zodiac. I remember dangling a hoover off the balcony, cant remember why though.
A strong sole – ice climbing boots use carbon or GRP, they wouldn’t struggle with that.
Ratchet and velcro closure – ditto and see climbing shoes/ski/boarding bindings which are tons more durable and ergonomic (snapped the plastic cheese lever off my £140 spesh carbon shoes at minus 5C…as did a What MTB reviewer.)
Strong heel counter/cup – see almost all hillwalking and ice climbing boots.
The different varieties of sports asolo/scarpa/meindl cater for is huge, with wildly different characteristics, they SHOULD do bike shoes.
I think what we’re saying is, we don’t want a goretex ‘winter’ clumpy boot we want a goretex ‘normal’ shoe that is durable and water-resistant.
So racer boys like to have, or are required to have, wet feet, eh Chipps? Why?
Northwave make a nice Goretex lined mtn bike shoe. My wife has a pair (of the shoes that is) and I presume there’s a manly version. They’re not at all Euro in-yer-face styled and she reports that they’re excellent.
I think it’s funny how Brits have a huge chip on their shoulder because the majority of mountain bikers ride in the warm and the kit is designed for those conditions.
Personally I need a super ventilated shoe with a more flexible sole so I don’t kill myself walking on rocks. They’d dry out quicker from river crossings that way too.
Don’t moan, vote with your wallet.
“They’d dry out quicker from river crossings that way too.” Hmm only time I’ve had this is very hot days, the rest of the time your shoes stay wet and your feet get cold. Sure enough goretex shoes let water in over the top then your feet stay wet, but atleast they are warm.
Personally I want a shoe that gets rid of hot spots and gives my arch support. I don’t care about waterproof so much because why socks will get wet and that’ll soak through. All my goretex shoes and boots cause my feet to get hot and sweat, so I’m not convinced. I actually prefer going for walks in my trainers when it’s proper hot.
I’m far more interested in how these shoes fit that what colour they are.
Goretex lined boots are a bit daft. The water just goes down your leg and in at the top. You want a boot that stays warm when the water gets inside. IMO.
okay, yes it is impossible to make a waterproof….anything….for the human body to wear because you have to get in it. Waterproof gloves and shoes eventually leak because the water gets in throught the big hole for your ankle or hand. However, gore lined shoes and boots are excellent for damp foliage, a foot down in a puddle etc…
When they leak Benji they are warm inside. See also Gore-tex duratherm which la sportiva and scarpa use in ice climbing boots and has a thin heat reflective backing….yet not used in’winter’ biking boots.
I’m not moaning and appreciate that sometimes we all want a ventilated sandal like shoe for hot climes and races. Yet most of northern europe is freezing and wet 6 months of the year. Living, riding and working in the Cairngorms I’m keen to see bike footwear move on a wee bit.
the strawberries and cream ones are, whats the word? oh yes, gopping!
They look like they are made by the same people who make Spesh’s shoes, which is no bad thing.
Shimano meets Specialized to my eyes. So far so no different than any make.
“1961Bikie – August 29th, 2010
Shimano meets Specialized to my eyes. So far so no different than any make.”
My thoughts too, as usual they look narrow?
Disco slippers – lovely!
Yawn Yawn Yawn, will be sticking with the Sidis
“Shimano meets Specialized to my eyes”
Agreed. Rather dull looking shoes, I’m afraid.
‘yawn’? ‘dull’?
they’re SHOES. were you expecting lasers?
the high end versions weigh in next to naff all. really impressive. even the lower end mtb models are looking hot.the prices were a bit off putting but if you want some of the best kit out there…
They need blinky LED’s and rollers in the heels …….
I think the last time I got excited about shoes they were clarkes ones with a compass in the heel.
The bike company that do that will be onto a winner imo.
I presume the mtn shoes don’t have a Goretex membrane (or similar). In which case they’re hardly suitable for >50% of UK mountain biking in my opinion.
Compared to the hillwalking / mountaineering footwear industry, biking is years behind. The designs are basic, have no membranes and as gasman says, about as suitable for Scottish riding as a jesus sandal. We don’t all want to buy a shimano ‘winter’ boot when we need a dry foot!
If someone like asolo, scarpa or meindl made biking shoes the other manufacturers would be toast pretty quickly.
The area of biking which disappoints me the most.
rnat, rant, rant
aaaaaaaah
Hang on a sec grizzpup and Jim…
These are pitched as being race shoes. You don’t see racers racing in GoreTex shoes. When they doubtless launch a winter/UK shoe/boot then it probably will have a membrane and be designed for the rigours of a UK winter…
It’d be interesting to see what a hiking shoe company would come up with though – the needs of cycling shoes are a lot different to walking shoes.
I stayed in a hotel in the top pic on my first snowboarding hol. Its the one on the far right and stayed on the top floor. I think it was called hotel Zodiac. I remember dangling a hoover off the balcony, cant remember why though.
liking the stealth black ones, could be replacements for my baggy Spec BG Comps
maybe the lasers haven’t arrived yet, but those black and white ones are LUSH.
Chipps,
Shoe Needs…
A strong sole – ice climbing boots use carbon or GRP, they wouldn’t struggle with that.
Ratchet and velcro closure – ditto and see climbing shoes/ski/boarding bindings which are tons more durable and ergonomic (snapped the plastic cheese lever off my £140 spesh carbon shoes at minus 5C…as did a What MTB reviewer.)
Strong heel counter/cup – see almost all hillwalking and ice climbing boots.
The different varieties of sports asolo/scarpa/meindl cater for is huge, with wildly different characteristics, they SHOULD do bike shoes.
I think what we’re saying is, we don’t want a goretex ‘winter’ clumpy boot we want a goretex ‘normal’ shoe that is durable and water-resistant.
Hear Hear Grizzpup, couldn’t put it better.
So racer boys like to have, or are required to have, wet feet, eh Chipps? Why?
Northwave make a nice Goretex lined mtn bike shoe. My wife has a pair (of the shoes that is) and I presume there’s a manly version. They’re not at all Euro in-yer-face styled and she reports that they’re excellent.
My goretex shoes and boots have always let water in at the top, where your foot fits in.
I think it’s funny how Brits have a huge chip on their shoulder because the majority of mountain bikers ride in the warm and the kit is designed for those conditions.
Personally I need a super ventilated shoe with a more flexible sole so I don’t kill myself walking on rocks. They’d dry out quicker from river crossings that way too.
Don’t moan, vote with your wallet.
“They’d dry out quicker from river crossings that way too.” Hmm only time I’ve had this is very hot days, the rest of the time your shoes stay wet and your feet get cold. Sure enough goretex shoes let water in over the top then your feet stay wet, but atleast they are warm.
Personally I want a shoe that gets rid of hot spots and gives my arch support. I don’t care about waterproof so much because why socks will get wet and that’ll soak through. All my goretex shoes and boots cause my feet to get hot and sweat, so I’m not convinced. I actually prefer going for walks in my trainers when it’s proper hot.
I’m far more interested in how these shoes fit that what colour they are.
Goretex lined boots are a bit daft. The water just goes down your leg and in at the top. You want a boot that stays warm when the water gets inside. IMO.
Re racy waterproof shoes didn’t Shimano have a crack at this with the M183ns? race shoes with the mesh replaced with lorica?
okay, yes it is impossible to make a waterproof….anything….for the human body to wear because you have to get in it. Waterproof gloves and shoes eventually leak because the water gets in throught the big hole for your ankle or hand. However, gore lined shoes and boots are excellent for damp foliage, a foot down in a puddle etc…
When they leak Benji they are warm inside. See also Gore-tex duratherm which la sportiva and scarpa use in ice climbing boots and has a thin heat reflective backing….yet not used in’winter’ biking boots.
I’m not moaning and appreciate that sometimes we all want a ventilated sandal like shoe for hot climes and races. Yet most of northern europe is freezing and wet 6 months of the year. Living, riding and working in the Cairngorms I’m keen to see bike footwear move on a wee bit.