Custom Bont Cycling shoe
If you’ve been reading this blog since it’s inception(not very long ago admittedly), you’ll know that I’m also a speedskater. With that being said I have an interesting view of both sports and how they can complement and where they are opposites. One such place where the 2 sports seem to complement each other are in the shoes(called boots in speedskating). In speedskating most everyone with more than 3 or 4 years experience gets skates that are custom formed to their feet by any number of means:
Pinnacle: Full foot plaster cast
Simmons: Full foot plaster cast
There are many advantages in speedskating to having a custom boot. They tend to be lighter and stiffer than stock boots. The increased stiffness translates to a more complete power transfer to the ground as well as better support during high G loads when taking corners on an indoor 100 meter track at 35mph. Custom boots also tend to be more comfortable due to the exact fit. Inline speedskating boots are notoriously uncomfortable; causing hotspots, blisters, deformed feet(it’s true). With a custom boot, the foot is so snug and boot so closely formed to the anatomical structure of each skater’s foot, that the maladies mentioned above are much rarer. The skate feels as if it’s an extension of your foot instead of feeling like some wobbly tank that you have strapped on. In a sport where hundredths and tenths of second per lap(indoors) make a world of difference making the advantages of a custom boot a no brainer.
My question is with a few companies offering custom boots(Pinnacle, Bont): Would cyclists benefit from having custom shoes? Obviously the cornering stiffness would not carry over to cycling; however, these shoes are much stiffer than any other stock shoe on the market, negating power transfer loss between the shoe and the pedal. They are much lighter. The Pinnacle boots run around 380g/pair for a comparable size 8. That’s almost half a pound weight savings over a comparably sized Shimano R300(554g/pair) Definitely something for the weight weenies to consider. They are just as comfortable as stock shoes. Some of my friends have some of the Pinnacle boots and they absolutely love them! They said the increase in power transfer was huge.
At prices from $500 – $1200; most cyclists would not think it’s worth it, but when has that every stopped us snobby cyclists before. Who really needs a $12,000 Pinarello? I have seen quite a few people with these this year… And they were not even Cat 3! Coolness, bling, and uniqueness are all qualities that you cannot put a price on; which is where I think these shoes will find their niche. You can have them designed to your color specs. I doubt we’ll ever see a Pro team in the Tour on full custom shoes, but you might be able to find a team who is willing to shell out the bucks to match a tem kit some day.
Custom Pinnacle Cycling Shoe
Simmons Custom Cycling Shoe
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Good post. I like speedskating as well and I have a pair of Bonts and a pair or Verduccis. I think it makes sense for those companies to get into the cycling market, but I was still surprised ab about a year ago when I saw a pair of Simmons cycling shoes. They were minamilaist carbon soled shoes that almost looked liked cycling clogs, so I couldn’t believe that anyone would pay $900 for them. I guess they have refined their designs since then.
Anyway, glad to hear that the skate companies are still at it. It seems like an expansion that makes sense for them.
Whoa must have been a long time since you skated. With speedskating going down the tubes, these companies have to branch out and find other product channels. Cycling is a natural progression. What team did you skate for?
Lost in Translation: A Bont Cycling Shoe Story
It’s been over 4½ months since I ordered and paid for (in full by the way) a pair of Bont A1 cycling shoes and I have yet to receive them. There have been numerous emails, phone conversations, heated debates, sizing complications, color misinterpretations, added shipping charges, and don’t let me forget about the entire month of February were everyone apparently stops working in order to celebrate the “Chinese New Year!” These are just some of the obstacles and excuses thrown my way by Bont Cycling; for example, for the past 2 weeks I have been told by Bont that my shoes are in the air and on their way, but stuck at customs. I know this is a new company and international expansion is a good thing, but if you can only make 30 shoes a day, then don’t take other people’s money for orders you can’t possibly fill. The bottom line is that Bont shoes are now made in a factory in China, even though at their debut at Innerbike in Las Vegas last year all you heard about was their Custom Cycling shoes that were handmade in Australia. After being promised by Bont that my shoes would arrive in less than three weeks time, I finally got a package after 2½ months. They were gorgeous, except for being the incorrect size, the wrong color, and they had a buckle (I wanted the three strap version-No Buckles)! Bont told me that they would NOT REORDER my initial specs until they physically received and processed their mistake, which cost me 2 more weeks of waiting. I was back to square one. I did at least slip them on just to get any idea of their fit and stiffness, buckled ‘em up, took one step on my carpeted floor and the heel support broke clean-off! And I only weigh 140 lbs! Oh yea, I had to pay for the return shipping never to be reimbursed. After “reconfirming” my initial order over the phone, I was then told that the three-strap option and color choice I selected 2½ months earlier would now bump my order from Stock to Semi-Custom status and an additional $80 would be required before they would proceed. Oh yea, and additional shipping charges were added on again. After feeling totally vulnerable and like things could not get any worse after being promised once again I would have my Custom shoes (or should I say “Semi-Custom shoes) on my feet in less than 4 weeks time, I paid the added fee and waited. . . I waited. . . And, I waited. . . That was over 2 months ago, it is now late spring, and the race season has begun. I’m thinking about taking up fishing instead of cycling. Anyone who wants to purchase Bont Cycling shoes be very cautious, they do require that you pay-in-full and upfront and they will NOT RETURN, REFUND, OR CANCEL any Semi-Custom or Custom orders. I have asked, begged, demanded, and even threatened Bont in hopes of a refund, but was told “No, its a Custom-order!” Right now, I would only recommend buying the stock versions from a local shop that you can physically try on and walk out the door with them on your feet. I hope in the next year or so Bont can modify their return policies and any guarantees, service issues, expectations and fix all the international miscommunication between Bont itself, its distributors, and its retail shops which is crippling their name and their product, but until then please be cautious!
The Boy without a pair of shoes
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I bought a pair of bont custom shoes after using their stock shoe. I had great service and no problems at all. The shoes fit perfect, look great and perform very well. My times have dropped on both road and track and I feel it’s because the increase in responsiveness and reduction in wasted energy from normal material cycling shoes.
No issues here! I would say to give them a shot based on my experience!
Dan
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