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VeloVetta Aero Bike Shoe NOW AVAILABLE!
The shoes are now available at VeloVetta.com!



CFD comparison of conventional shoe (with no straps, boas, etc) vs. VeloVetta Shoe






Lower the heel lever to open the shoe.


New update on 10/14/2019 post 170: https://forum.slowtwitch.com/...ost=7060332#p7060332


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Hey crowd - I've been waiting a long time to get your feedback on this. Now that the patents are filed and Dan has given me the go ahead, I can share it!
I've been working on a triathlon cycling shoe design that is very aerodynamic, easy to get on and off while on the bike, and very comfortable. Here is what it looks like. There are cables for the closure that you cannot see in the 3d renderings but you can see them in the photos of my "prototype".

There is a single panel that goes over the top of the foot that is tightened to secure the foot in the shoe. A lever on the heel is released which releases cables that go from the lever into the sole of the shoe, out the side of the sole and attach to the black plastic tabs on the sides of the closure panels. These cables are what pull that closure panel down tight over your foot. When the lever is pulled away from the heel, the closure panel loosens across the top of the foot.





The thumb knob you see on the top of the lever adjusts the tightness of the closure. You only have to do this once and it is set. When you put the shoe on, all you have to do is slam the lever toward the shoe and you're done.






Here is a photo of a prototype I made by attaching 3D printed parts to a Giro Empire as well as some hand-sewn components... I've tested it out on the bike for ease of entry/exit.

I've done a bunch of CFD modeling on this and the results are pretty stunning. I am not ready to say that they are necessarily "right" but I think they indicate that at least the aerodynamic drag reduction will be significant. The results to date indicate about a 124 gram (12 watts) reduction in drag at 22.4 mph compared to an idealized smooth conventional shoe with no closure mechanisms. (see description below). I have done some improvements to the design since I ran these simulations and I think I can get the drag reduction even bigger without making the shoe look absurd.


Kinetic energy imparted to the air in a shoe without the sole and heel shape modifications. This is an idealized shoe in that it has no closure mechanism. It is totally smooth. It does not even have the projections on the heel to make walking better, or a loop on the heel to help get the shoe on, so this really is a worst case comparison.


Kinetic energy imparted to the air in my shoe design.

The black strips you see on the side of the shoe are carbon fiber that is holding the shoe open so that your foot can easily slide in. They are flexible enough so that when you push the lever closed in the back they will wrap around your foot. The shoe is extremely comfortable - no pressure points. There is a very even and snug hold around the whole foot.

Rubber bands are highly recommended with this design (and I will include a hook point specifically for this) to hold the shoe in the 3 and 9 o'clock positions to avoid hitting the open lever on the ground. When you remove the shoe, and put your foot on top, it is also highly recommended to close the lever, also to avoid hitting it on the ground when you dismount.

What do you guys think? Would you use it? Is it compelling? Are there features I missed? Improvements to be made?

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Ed O'Malley
www.VeloVetta.com
Founder of VeloVetta Cycling Shoes
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Last edited by: RowToTri: May 25, 23 5:08

Edit Log:

  • Post edited by RowToTri (Dawson Saddle) on Jun 1, 18 9:40
  • Post edited by RowToTri (Dawson Saddle) on Dec 2, 18 8:35
  • Post edited by RowToTri (Dawson Saddle) on Feb 20, 19 16:31
  • Post edited by RowToTri (Dawson Saddle) on Jun 25, 19 14:15
  • Post edited by RowToTri (Dawson Saddle) on Oct 14, 19 11:58
  • Post edited by RowToTri (Dawson Saddle) on Jan 19, 21 12:29
  • Post edited by RowToTri (Dawson Saddle) on Nov 12, 22 10:42
  • Post edited by RowToTri (Dawson Saddle) on May 25, 23 5:08