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EB15: Fizik Steps It Up with New R1, R4, and M6 shoes, and more

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Fizik_R1_top-level_full-carbon_road-bike-shoe_details

Fi’zi:k has put both feet forward into the shoe market with three completely new pairs of kicks and a reworked last for all of the road line. The R1B sets the new top of the line with a two piece laser perforated Mircotex upper available in white or black and two BOA dials. Fizik built the 350€ shoe on an incredibly stiff full carbon sole that includes continuous internal channels to boost ventilation, and a removable heel puck. The vents are optimized throughout to maximize air movement, but indirectly to prevent water infiltration. The shoe was developed with both ergonomics and aerodynamics in mind, and uses a smooth asymmetric tongue for precise fit and actually has a carefully placed second BOA that hides from the wind behind the first dial to offer twice the fit tunability with the drag of one dial.

Stick with us after the break to see a more affordable high performance road shoe, the most affordable BOA mountain bike shoe, and a new set of carbon-railed saddles…

Fizik_R4_mid-level_carbon-reinforced-nylon_road-bike-shoe Fizik_R4_mid-level_carbon-reinforced-nylon_road-bike-shoe_colors

On the other end of the road spectrum, Fizik is adding a new R4B for 200€ that employs a injection molded carbon composite sole that offers stiffness almost on par with full-carbon at a more affordable price point. The shoe also gets a similar Microtex upper as the R1, with laser cut perforations that are each unique in size. The injection molded sole offers precise shaping similar to the higher-end shoes and gets forefoot ventilation. The shoe gets a BOA dial to control the upper and mid-foot areas, while a pair of small straps dial in the toe box fit. The shoe comes in a black/red men’s version, and white/teal black/yellow women’s Donna varieties.

The entire road line, including the new shoes get built on a new last that makes all four shoes new for 2016. The new last gets a wider footbed, but the possibility to to cinch down to a smaller volume. All of the road shoes combine a flexible Microtex upper fabric and BOA closures to allow a much wider range of fit with the new last.

Fizik_M6_Donna_entry-level-mountain-bike-shoe_colors Fizik_M6-Donna_entry-level-mountain-bike-shoe_tongue-cuff-detail

Even one more step to in the affordability direction, Fizik adds what they are calling the lowest priced mountain bike on the market with BOA dial adjustability. At just 150€, the new M6B offers a degree of finish uncommon at this price level. Fit is tuned with two velcro mid-foot straps and a single BOA closure. The shoes get a complete rubber outsole on top of a carbon-reinforced nylon sole for a balance of grippy traction and stiffness. The upper combines Microtex around the edges with a reflective polyurethane, and nylon mesh to handle ventilation. The shoes will come in several color options with the M6B Donna black/teal/pink seen above, and at least black/blue, black/red, and all black.

The R1B, R4B, and M6B will all be available at the start of December 2015, while the others from the updated road line are available from the start of September.

Fizik_Arione_Antares_Aliante_00_Mobius-carbon_rail_saddles_7x9mm_top Fizik_Arione_Aliante_00_Mobius-carbon_rail_saddles_7x9mm Fizik_Arione_Aliante_00_Mobius-carbon_rails

To top off the new shoes, Fizik also had a few updated saddles, the Arione 00, Antares 00, and Aliante 00. Each saddle will sell for 350€ and is built on a full carbon shell and a Mobius continuous looped carbon rail with a 7x9mm clamping area. The new top-level saddles get a 2 layer carbon shell that sandwiches Fizik’s traditionally exposed edge of the Microtex saddle cover. The saddles also use an increased Wingflex area to ensure comfort on the otherwise stiff saddles. The snake Arione goes with the highest density and thinest padding of the bunch,  while the bull Aliante gets a bit softer and thicker padding.

Fizik.it

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Pillz
Pillz
8 years ago

I like Fizik, but d*mn, the shoes are not pretty. Looks like they’re still just rebranded Giros. Also, how about a new saddle shape for a change? Do a cut out like the ISM breakaway-meets-antares but make it look sleek.

Pillz
Pillz
8 years ago

Nevermind about rebranded Giros, I think that was Rapha. But still these are like Nurse shoes.

Colin
Colin
8 years ago

The Rapha shoes are made by Rapha, the Sole is an Easton EC90, but the uppers, liners and insoles are Rapha. A lot of shoe makes source their soles from Easton or Shimano, and most of those are not buying the top of the line model either.

Dave
Dave
8 years ago

SIDI, SIDI, SIDI. Let me say that again. SIDI, SIDI, SIDI. All made in house in Italy. Best of the best. Yes you pay a little more but the shoes last forever and they fit the way a shoe should fit.

STEEVE
STEEVE
8 years ago

@Dave – Last I heard Fizik’s shoes are made in Italy as well. Also, I find Sidi’s shoes to be grotesque, nor am I a fan of the fit. Specialized’s shoes are far and away the most comfortable for me :[

Kark
Kark
8 years ago

@Dave, I was disappointing in the the last two pair of sidis I bought. soles pulled away from the uppers in just over a year on both pairs and the warranty person at the distributor basically told me to get stuffed cause they were scuffed up (mtb shoes get scuffed up in my world).
At nearly 300 bones a copy I can’t justify them if they can’t withstand their intended purpose for more than a season. (the first couple pair I bought were bombproof and lasted years)

uk100
uk100
8 years ago

Actually the majority of Sides are made in Romania.

Mike
Mike
8 years ago

I like these, but the big problem stopping me from ditching my Sidis is the non- replacibility of the heel sole protectors. I’ve found since I’ve been buying Sidi that this extends the life significantly.

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
8 years ago

As someone that doesn’t like how Sidi’s feel…they do last a LONG time for people that choose to use them for a long time. I’ve got multiple friends that have gone over 100,000 miles ON A SINGLE PAIR. Of course, they’re also far from light for the money but money for mileage? They’re nearly unbeatable. That said, I don’t fit in their normal last, and their wide is WAY too wide for me. If we were a good fit, I’d love to have a 100,000 mile shoe to go with my soon to be 100,000 SEVEN.

I’ve always loved Fizik saddles and tape but their shoes are far too narrow for me(its not completely an Italian thing because I happily wear Northwaves).

Shoe recommendations are great if you’re recommending a shoe to someone with a foot like yours. Of course, there are measurable things like weight, stiffness, replacement of specific parts, how long a shoe will last before breaking down, how heat moldable is it(if it can be heat molded), even how aerodynamic a shoe is.

You want a shoe that’s built on a last that’s a close to your foot as possible. Everyone uses a different last and everyone has different feet. A shoe will only change shape so much without alteration(something I do for myself and customers)

david
david
8 years ago

I wish they wouldn’t bring out cheaper shoes. Now peasents can afford the same brand as me 🙁

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