Pearl Izumi is looking to push mountain bike shoes into a new era with its X Project line. These new shoes are claimed to be high-performance, lightweight shoes that you can still walk in comfortably. Based on our first rides in the new shoes, that claim is spot on.

Mountain bike shoes usually come in one of two flavours. They’re either stiff-soled and light for racing and other high-performance applications, or they are broad and more flexible so that you can walk as well as ride in them. Walkable shoes are typically quite heavy and not as firm on the bike.

Pearl Izumi’s new X Project shoes are the fruit of a several-year-long project to develop a shoe that offers the best of both worlds: stiffness where it counts for power transfer, but grip and flexibility for walking.

Pearl Izumi cycling footwear product manager Tony Torrance shows off the range of X Project shoes.

According to Tony Torrance, Pearl Izumi’s product manager for cycling footwear another problem with stiff, high-performance mountain bike shoes is that the tread blocks are usually made from nylon rather than rubber. That means walking in them is made doubly tricky because the sole is slippery on wet surfaces.

Torrance is a mountain biker and dirt bike rider whose engineering background includes endurance testing cars for GM and coming up with Pearl Izumi’s 1:1 shoe insoles with interchangeable arch support and forefoot cant inserts. He’s clearly been living and breathing X Project shoes for a couple of years, and he’s been helped in the development by Pearl Izumi rider and living legend Brian Lopes.

Brian Lopes was heavily involved with the development of the X Project shoe.

The idea of the X Project shoes, was to create “a shoe that walks and hikes as well as it pedals,” said Torrance. He thinks Pearl Izumi has succeeded, and our first impressions are that he’s right.

So confident is Pearl Izumi that these new shoes are something special that Pearl Izumi Europe flew a group of mountain bike journalists from all over Europe to Sardinia over the weekend of October 13-14 so we could try them out.

Cutting up shoes

The first step in the development of the X Project was to hack up a bunch of shoes and find out which parts of the sole actually need to be stiff for efficient power transfer. Torrance worked with Ray Browning PhD, the director of the Colorado State University’s Physical Activity Energetics/Mechanics Lab to test new sole designs. This process involved hooking riders up to monitoring gear and having them ride at fairly high intensity while measuring their performance.

The new Pearl Izumi X Project 1.0 shoe.

They found that a stiffer sole is not always better. There are parts of the sole where you don’t transfer power, particularly the heel and toe areas. Pearl Izumi could safely make those areas flexible and improve the walkability of the sole without sacrificing power transfer. Torrance therefore designed a tapered carbon fibre sole plate that is flexible at the front and back, but stiff around the cleat.

The game was afoot, but the next stage of development took a year: making the sole both light and grippy. “Combining plastic lugs with rubber tips for light weight and traction was the hardest bit to develop,” says Torrance.

An X Project sole unit.

The problem is that you can’t just glue a bit of rubber to a plastic sole. It won’t stay attached as the sole is pulled sideways as you walk. The solution was to co-mould the rubber tips into the sole. Rather than using Pearl Izumi’s Chinese factory, Torrance had to go to Italy to find a company that could manufacture the sole.

Making the sole light was a challenge too. Big tread blocks are heavy, so to keep the gram count under control, the X Project sole has hollow blocks.

One feature that’s missing from the X Project is any sort of replaceable tread. Torrance said this had been considered and rejected on the grounds of weight; the idea for version one of the X Project was to make a very light shoe. Claimed weight is 320g. In the hand and on the foot, they certainly feel very light for a mountain bike shoe.

A layer of EVA foam in the heel absorbs shock.

Pearl izumi has form in making shoes that you can walk in as well as ride, so for te X Project, Torrance stole an idea from the X-Alp series and put a layer of EVA foam under the heel to absorb walking shock.

On the trail

After Tony Torrance’s shoe-and-tell we headed for Sardinia’s rocky trails to find out how the shoes worked in the field.

The executive summary is: they’re good. Our test samples were the very first ones from the factory to exactly follow the design of production shoes. That had one downside: this writer is a 43.5 in Pearl Izumi shoes, but only 43 and 44 were available. There will be half sizes in full production shoes, and when we can get 43.5s we’ll be able to say more about the details of the fit.

The X Project shoe in use.

But despite being slightly loose, the X Project 1.0 shoes we tested felt good, with firm support underfoot and a comfortable, moderately stiff upper that held our feet in place without being overly hard.

The top strap is quite low on the upper foot, so it doesn’t load all the sensitive ligaments over the tarsus. We tweaked the side-to-side position of the strap so that the padding sat in the middle of our feet and didn’t notice it at all after that.

In fact, on the bike, the X Project shoes feel almost exactly as you’d expect a pait of high-end mountain bike shoes to feel. They’re comfortable, the sole is stiff and the upper holds you in place whether you’re just cruising along or going hell-for-leather.

Pearl izumi X Project 1.0 and 2.0 shoes will come with this insert with interchangeable forefoot and arch supports.

When our ride turned into an impromptu race to the beach (for the hell of it) followed by a race back to the hotel to escape the gathering afternoon rainclouds, we weren’t thinking about the shoes so much as wondering whether we could keep up with Brian Lopes, who was putting the hurt on us all despite hardly breaking a sweat.

If you pay close attention, you can tell that the support is all in the mid-foot, from ball to the back of the arch, but it’s hard to be sure that’s not expectation bias.

The X Project 1.0 shoes use this shiny micro-adjustable buckle.

What we are sure of, though, is that the X Project shoes are definitely easier to walk in that your typical super-stiff shoes. You can feel the toe and heel flex as you walk and as a result you stay in contact with the ground rather than slipping around. If your rides typically involve any significant amount of walking, then the X Project is definitely worth considering.

The range

There will be three models of X Project shoe.

The full range of X Project shoes. From left: Men’s 3.0; women’s 3.0; women’s 2.0; men’s 2.0; 1.0

At the top is the model we have here, the X Project 1.0. This has the full X Project sole with an upper made from thermoplastic urethane and mesh for light weight and ventilation. A micro-adjust buckle makes it easy to slightly loosen or tighten the upper as you ride and there are three mounting points for the top strap so you can centre the padding on your foot. The X Project 1.0 will be available in January and will cost £229.99. The X Project 1.0 will be available in sizes 38-47, including half sizes, plus 48 and 49.

The X Project 2.0 will be a shade heavier and will be available in a women’s version with a narrower heel. The upper is made from synthetic leather rather than urethane and mesh, which Tony Torrance pointed out would probably make it more suitable for UK conditions than the X Project 1.0. The X Project 2.0 will use the same sole as the 1.0 but will have a standard ratchet buckle rather than the 1.0′s micro-adjust ratchet. The X Project 2.0 will cost £169.99 for both men’s and women’s versions and will be available in men’s sizes 39-47, including half sizes, plus 48 and 49 and women’s 36-43 including half sizes.

The X Project sole has hollow lugs with rubber tips. Damn clever, we think.

Finally, X Project 3.0 uses some fibreglass in place of carbon in the sole to save some cost. The upper combines mesh with synthetic leather and has slighty simpler consruction over all. The X Project 3.0 will cost £129.99 for both men’s and women’s versions and will be available in men’s sizes 39-47, including half sizes, plus 48 and 49 and women’s 36-43 including half sizes.

All three X Project men’s models are made on the same last as Pearl Izumi’s road shoes, as clear an indicator as there is of their performance intention. The women’s shoes are shaped on a new last that Torrance describes as “the evolution of our current women’s last”.

The X Project 1.0 and 2.0 come with the 1:1 insole system with interchangeable heel and forefoot inserts. 1:1 insoles are available separately or £34.99/pr.

More information: Pearl Izumi

Brian Lopes looks on in bemusement as a couple of British journalists take a dip.

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The updated M161 shoes are a startlingly good shoe ideal for trail riders

Shimano’s M161 shoes were released last year, replacing the old 160′s with a feature-packed shoe costing just under a hundred notes. We’ve been testing them for a couple of months, and here’s how we’ve been getting on.

Firstly, yes there is no getting away from the bold zebra-stripe pattern adorning the shoes and they certainly draw attention out on the trail. Love them or hate them, they’ve added a new style direction to the company’s Mountain Performance range and, I’m going to stick my neck out and say I really like them. There, I said it.

The shoes themselves get several key updates over those they replaced. Firstly the synthetic leather upper features a new low-profile armour to avoid them getting easily scuffed up. They’re quite a tough pair of shoes, we’ve been doing our best to try and give them a hard time but they just keep shrugging their shoulders and asking for more. So far, so good.

Fit has been improved. A micro-adjust buckle has now been added, along with two off-set straps – extra long so you can cut them down to suit – which together hold the shoes securely in place, with little slippage or heel lift while pedalling.

While shoe fit is very much a personal matter, I found these shoes comfortable; wider than other brands and the small degree of flex in the mid-sole will appeal to those who are put off by the ultra-stiff race shoes at the top-end – and importantly, pedalling performance isn’t sacrificed. I happily wear them for most of my trail rides and even used them during the TransWales stage race, where they adequately proved themselves more than capable.

The tread is grippy enough for all but the slimiest trails where you’re forced to hike-a-bike, and the built-in toe studs really go a long way to helping when you’re forced off your bike due to poor trail conditions. Replaceable composite spikes at the front also help when off the bike.

They’ve been a hit here at Bikemagic because they’re much more comfortable than race-ready stiff shoes without a massive loss of pedal efficiency normally associated with less performance-orientated shoes, making them ideal for most trail users wanting a reasonably stiff and comfortable shoe. They’re a little heavy, but that’s only really noticeable when directly compared to a £300 shoe.

Verdict

The updated M161 shoes are a startlingly good shoe ideal for trail riders, all-day riders and even racers, for under £100. If you can live with the bold look, they’re a great trail shoe and more comfortable than those costing twice as much.

The M1.0 is an entry-level shoe and retails at £59.99. The shoe’s sole has been engineered “to strike a balance between the right level of stiffness for power transfer when on the bike, and comfort when running or walking with the bike”, according to dhb. As a result, the chunky rubber outer sole looks like it will provide plenty of grip on muddy trails, while the reinforced nylon sole is designed to take care of power transfer.

The synthetic upper has a form fit designed to hug the foot, while there’s very little stretch, which the manufacturer says limits energy loss on the upstroke. At the back of the shoe, a thermo plastic heel counter offers additional support. Meanwhile, the reinforced toe tip is double stitched for durability and mesh inserts look to keep the foot well ventilated.

Two colours are available – black and white – while the mountain bike range continues with the £99.99 M2.0C, which is based on the M1.0, but with a carbon composite sole and a micro-adjustable ratchet top strap. The company’s road and commuting shoes have also been updated.

www.wiggle.co.uk

It employs several of the features found on the firm’s top-end road shoes including the BOA Push/Pull cord closure system, in this case with triple loop location and forefoot powerzone.

The all-carbon midsole wears Lake’s Mountain Race X blocked outsole, which is moulded in natural rubber for enhanced grip on wet rocks. The heel section is replaceable although Lake say they have never sold one.

Critical to fit, security and long-term ride comfort, the carbon-fibre Thermaform internal heel counter is moulded in a piece separate from the main sole, reducing manufacturing costs and allowing Lake to offer full custom moulding for the rear of the foot at an affordable price.

www.moorelarge.co.uk
www.lakecycling.com

I was invited down to the new Teva showroom in central London with colleague and Bikemagic.com editor David Arthur to get the inside scoop on a couple of new flat pedal mountain bike specific shoes from relative newcomers to the scene, Teva.

Following on from the success of the freerider Jeff Lenosky designed Links that were released last year Teva have expanded their range with a black version, a new mid-style take on last years Links and some more ‘relaxed’ and less technical shoes to cater for a wider range of tastes in a more subdued colour palette.

I tested a pair of links last year and was happy with the performance. The sole is full of little recesses for the pins of your pedals to fall neatly into. The construction is sturdy and built for a hard life and they are comfortable. My only gripe was the size of the tongue which was a little over-padded for my taste.

The grip is not on the extreme end of the scale like Five-tens but more than say a pair of regular Vans. The rubber compound is however noticeably harder to the touch of the above brands and in terms of grip Teva listened to their band of freeriders when deciding just how much of a grip they should be aiming for.

They are said to prefer a less grippy formula for ease of movement around the pedal when performing everyday manoeuvres like back flips, superman seat grabs and tail whips. Talking of tail whips the new mid-version of the links has been introduced to provide more protection for the ankles and is the preferred choice of UK freerider Sam Pilgrim.

Moving on to the Crank model. These look more laid back and understated than the Links, with a low-profile design with a nod to the understated style of a regular plimsoll that ageing skateboarders favour these days. I liked the look of them a lot and coming with identical looking soles to the links I’m sure they will be good on the bike too.

The 2011 Links and Pinner are available now and the new Links, Links Mid and Crank models will be available in the summer from www.teva.co.uk. The new shoes are priced as follows:

Links £85

Links Mid £90

Crank £50

Crank Mid £60

Pinner £70

The Dragon 3 is an updated version of the Dragon 2, and combines the brand’s signature flamboyant Italian styling with improved design.

The patented adjustable heel retention device reinforces the top of the heel cup and looks to improve fit by closing the back more securely around the rider’s ankle, aiming to increase comfort during steep climbs or sprints. The new rubber toe guard provides increased protection at the front of the shoe.

The MTB SRS sole has a pure carbon insert from the heel to the toe which, together with the SRS tread, is attached to a nylon frame. This combination helps to improve stiffness and rigidity without compromising blood flow to the foot, which Sidi say offers maximum comfort and prolonged performance.

The new model also features Sidi’s soft instep closure system; a soft, padded strap that moulds around the foot and distributes pressure evenly, while the Tecno II ratchet can be carefully adjusted to provide even pressure distribution.

Four colours are available – red, black, white and silver – and sizes range from 39 to 48. Retail price is £329.99.

Mavic Tempo mountain bike shoes £135

The first thing that struck me as I removed the new Mavic Tempo shoes from the box and the protective paper wrapping is the striking silver finish. Then I was struck by the lack of weight, the stiffness of the sole and the fact they just ooze with quality.

Mavic, traditionally just a rim and wheelset manufacturer, branched out into clothing several years ago. Its shoes have been gaining a lot of fans, with the bright yellow signature colour of the top-end Fury model becoming a regular sight on the start line of any mountain bike race.

While those bling slippers are reserved for the weight weenies, the Tempo is a more modest offering. It sits three down from the top, but with a price tag of £135 it’s still an expensive shoe. Fortunately it goes a long way to justifying that, based on our first look with a sample that have just turned up for testing.

Some details about them then. Firstly the super aggressive outsole features a proprietary Contragrip rubber lugs for grip on any trail when you’re forced to dismount. A composite carbon glass fibre sole with nylon inserts feels stiff, but with a little more flex than a race-ready shoe that will be welcome of trail riders who want a race shoe that isn’t quite as stiff as a fully fledged race shoe.

On the outside the Tempo uses two adjustable Egro straps in combination with the Ergo Lite ratchet, a low profile and lightweight design, keeps the shoe planted on your foot. Fit is further enhanced with an Energy Lock heel and the insoles are pre-shaped two-density items.

Weight is 390g a pair (for a size 8.5) which is not much heavier than the top-end Fury at 335g, not much of a weight penalty really, unless you’re counting the grams. Based on this first impression, we’re really looking forward to testing them. Full review next year…

www.mavic.com