Power Transfer Shoe Comparison?

[rossjm11]

Weenies,

As a sprinter, I am constantly trying to have very stiff equipment to deliver as much power to the road as possible. Is there any good research out there on the differences between top road shoes? If not, what shoes in your opinion are best for sprinting? This is a really interesting topic to me, because shoes are clearly one of the most important pieces of cycling equipment, and I think they are often underrated.

[DMF]

I wouldn't be too quick to overrate too stiff equipment for serious sprinting from low speed, it can be damn difficult to get the power to the ground without having the bike skipping all over the road... Nothing said about shoes specifically here, just a general notion of my own experiences...

Most testing on stiffness in cranks vs power losses generally show that very little is lost between the stiffest and the least stiff crankset though, even if they do feel very different to ride/pedal.

That said the feeling of soft soles is just dull...

[spud]

nothing scientific, but in my experience, most BOA shoes do not have the top down retention that a good strap/buckle has. I suppose the newer BOA designs pulling on a strap, instead of wire crossing the top of the foot would work fine. As a for instance, I have a pair of Bont Vaypor+. They just don't have that positive retained feeling in the heel or instep. Found the same with the old S Works gen 5. I feel better on Shimano R320s. The new gen 6 S Works might be better as they use non stretch material, and wrap it further over the instep to help hold things down, as does the aggressive heel counter.

So far as sole stiffness goes, everything I've tried above that's full carbon is more than adequate. Can't tell the diff between any of the above in that respect.

[mpulsiv]

Don't focus on stiffness but rather on your insole that supports your arch. Majority of population have mid-high arch but people utterly ignore this and do sports with flat insole.

If interested in deep dive, read blogs by Steve Hogg https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bi ... ch-support


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[MisterMuncher]

Fit first, stiffness second. You'll lose more in slop than the marginal differences in soles at the top end.

[cyclespeed]

Fit first, stiffness second. You'll lose more in slop than the marginal differences in soles at the top end.

I'd agree with that.

Although I've criticised the new Sworks 6 for their lack of comfort (even if they have now broken in somewhat), they do have a limpet like grip on your foot, mostly thanks to the new hardcore heel design. Just as in a ski boot, you don't want your heel to come off the bed, so it is here.

And the sole is very stiff (like all topend race shoes).

[istigatrice]

Not any research, just anecdotal evidence, but I think if you spoke to track riders they'd have the opposite opinion. Bont shoes are highly rated on the track, they're more than just stiff in the sole, they're stiff everywhere. They don't fit me at all (I can't wear them on the road, just plain uncomfortable) but on the track they feel brilliant, especially during standing start efforts, there's no movement anywhere.

You can decide for yourself if this is important. There are some that argue it doesn't matter.

[kgt]

I agree with most comments.
Perfect fit is the most important. A well designed, stiff and supportive heel is also very important IME. The stiffest carbon sole is a plus but it comes third. A nice, lightweight feel of the shoe on the foot is another plus.

[Asteroid]

If you look at what the top pro sprinters wear, it runs the spectrum. Granted they wear the sponsor's brand - possibly highly customized - but it does suggest fit matters the most, since all likely utilize stiff soles.
Slightly off-topic, but I occasionally spot sprinters sporting floating cleats. The feel seems unsettling to me and always made me wonder how they sprint like madmen with their foot shifting around.

[jekyll man]

1 of my mates is a cobbler and repairs most of the GB track squads shoes (he's local to where most of them have digs), and pretty much all of them use Bonts (either lace up or converted to lace up).
Even when they look battered to bits, they still keep them.

Pretty much says it all really.

[TonyM]

1 of my mates is a cobbler and repairs most of the GB track squads shoes (he's local to where most of them have digs), and pretty much all of them use Bonts (either lace up or converted to lace up).
Even when they look battered to bits, they still keep them.

Pretty much says it all really.

Do they use their Bont with the factory insole or with a 3rd party/ custom made insole ?

[istigatrice]

I'd be very surprised if the majority of them used the factory insole...

[TonyM]

I'd be very surprised if the majority of them used the factory insole...

That would also be my assomption.

I am looking at the moment at insoles for my bont shoes also... maybe I will take the Spezialized insole.

[Marin]

Stiffness is way overrated. Stiffer frames, components or shoes will *not* "increase power transfer", they will just feel different, which some might prefer.

They won't make you any faster though.

Agree about fit being the highest priority.

[Antoine]

French team sprinters wear custom shoes (Sierra) or Bont. B.Coquard wore Nortwave but he had a contract.

Even at my modest level I can feel the difference on the track (less on the road) , first I used older Shimano (R100) then Bont Blitz and I definitely gained some speed with the Bont.