Home > Interviews

The Build Cycle Podcast #028 – BOA founder Gary Hammerslag

interview with BOA Technologies Founder Gary Hammerslag about how he started his company
5 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

Chances are one or more pair of your cycling shoes uses a BOA dial to snug them up. Ultimately, this story is about making a better mousetrap. After seeing people struggle with lacing systems, BOA founder Gary Hammerslag used his experience in medical device wires to fashion a mechanical wire-and-real closure system that allowed for uniform, consistent fit. Two things are important here: First, consumers weren’t thinking they needed something better. Second, Gary didn’t try to devise a better way of lacing up winter boots, he came up with something entirely new, different and better. He saw a problem for which a solution wasn’t even being considered, which means opportunity. The challenge, then, wasn’t just to create a solution, but figure out how he could bring it to market. And therein lie some of the key lessons in this episode – Gary talks about working with OEM partners, preserving capital, and marketing to two different audiences.

Yeah, I’m posting this one a little out of order since we’ve already published episodes #029 and #030, but I think you’ll enjoy it. For more photos, show notes and links about Gary and BOA, head over to The Build Cycle!

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

5 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Zee
Zee
6 years ago

BOA would be great if I wasn’t needing to replace the dials for the third time on a pair of shoes that aren’t even two years old…And it’s also too bad most mid-level and higher end shoes are going BOA. Won’t be getting it again.

Robin
Robin
6 years ago
Reply to  Zee

Your experience could be the exception. There are loads of Boa systems on there on cycling shoes; yet there isn’t a flood of stories about failed Boa systems. A smart move might be to talk to Boa to see what’s going on with your shoes.

Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
6 years ago
Reply to  Zee

Small sample size; I’ve only had to repair 1 of my shoes with BOA fail and it took 7 minutes and zero dollars to fix. Whereas I’ve had sidi dials and straps fail and Northwave SLW2 dials fall apart and take weeks to arrive from Italy at 17 dollars a pop.

Zee
Zee
6 years ago

Honestly, I think my problem is that I use these shoes for everything. I commute with them, so I’m wearing them at least twice per day. Muddy cross races, singletrack, dusty gravel rides…The dial just loses it’s ability to hold tension after awhile and needs replacing.

Hellno
Hellno
6 years ago

I had my my shoe lace failed me a couple of times, I ain’t going there anytime soon till they fix them knots.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.