Interbike 2012: Simmons Racing go full carbon / full custom. On your feet.

For the Saudi Prince who already has everything.

what a great investment, especially for mtb shoes in the southwest for rides with lots of hike a biking! all kidding aside i am sure these shoes will help gain time for those on the competitive cuircut w/o the right doctor(no pun to lm)

” there seems to be a market willing to pay the $1,800 to make it happen.”

Yep, they’re called “posers”. Unless you’re a pro or have some sort of odd shaped foot this is just plain silly.

That said, if you’re going to go custom on anything it almost makes more sense to go with custom shoes/insoles than a custom frame. I have some custom made dress shoes as well as a custom made suit. Both fit perfectly and have held up better than any factory bought clothes I’ve owned. They didn’t come cheap but then again they were less expensive than an off the shelf pair of Prada shoes or an off the rack Armani suit. The shoes also cost a hell of lot less than $1800. I know carbon is expensive but then again so is shoe leather.

@Chris:

Sour grapes much?

This is one of those concept things thats done because it can be right? Like prototype cars at the autoshow.
With all the high end shoes out there who is really going to use these??

These guys have been making custom shoes like this for a while. http://rbcsport.com/

not a just concept. I own a pair, they are great! Simmons customs inline and Ice skates have had many many gold medals won on them around the world. My cycling shoes are worth every penny, the feel is incredible, very stiff. all other shoes that look like this do not have carbon on top like these. It makes a big difference, they are a lot more efficient. It is a true custom, My shoes fits like a sock, snug all around. I use them with speed play pedals, very low stack height. David Simmons can make it how ever you like, semi customs start at $850.00. Dave and Jennifer Simmons do amazing things with shoes, hand made in USA by them, and customer service is the best. http://simmonscyclingshoes.com check them out, they are great people.

Just cause you can, doesn’t mean you should.

Rob,
I’d argue that any real custom insole, made by a respectable pedorthist or podiatrist would give you the same 6% increase in power. These can be had for any where between $300-500 and you can probably get your medical insurance to cover part of the cost. W/ out having to spend a ridiculous $1800.

All Simmons is trying to do is bring the very best to the market. This is one of the many things they can do. They started building inline skating boots because the boots the skaters in their club used were falling apart and breaking down. Dave knew the product could be better and 21 years later he is “simply the best” in that market. He’s been a fan of the cycling world for a long time and wants to see how he can make the best shoe for cyclists just like he has done for skaters.

I’m a believer in custom shoes…..but not all these skate shoe companies trying to adapt their technology to cycling. Because it doesn’t make sense.

I looked at them all, but in the end there still is only one person truly making custom CYCLING shoes and just cycling shoes. Mr Don Lamson who’s been doing it for 30+ years now. I visited him in Eagle, CO and was thoroughly impressed. His shoes start at $900 and max around $1200 unless you need something weird. Still not cheap, but they are a hell of a lot nicer looking and have 30 years of experience fitting Pro riders to the ONE person working on the Project 96 bike from the shoe/pedal side (His pedal/shoe saves as much in a TT as a disc…no joke).

So, look him up. If you are going to spend that much on shoes….get it done right by the only guy who actually knows cycling shoes. Don Lamson.

http://www.D2Shoe.com

What about ventilation? These things look like steam-baths in the making.

I saw these at the North American Handbuilt Bicycle Show in Denver last weekend. Yes, $1800 can seem like a stupid amount to spend on shoes. But these shoes are NICE!!!! VERY well made! I have experience molding carbon (sailplane wings and various bike parts) and was VERY impressed with the quality of the shoes they had on display. It’s interesting that people get all bent out of shape about spending $1800 for a pair of shoes, but will happily spend $2800 for a pair of Zipps for club rides and then never enter a race with them. Hmmm… From what I’ve gathered, the performance gains from custom shoes can equal or better the gains from spendy wheels, and for those with hard to fit feet or problem feet, it sounds like a fantastic option. And here’s the thing – if you don’t want to spend that much on shoes, don’t buy them – no one is forcing anyone to purchase them, just as not everyone is being forced to buy deep carbon rims just to cruise over to the coffeehouse, which we see all too often in Boulder. As for me, I’m saving my pennies to have a pair made!!