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Any interest in Wide Toe Flat Sole Cycling Shoes?
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Hi, Everyone!

I'm making myself a pair of wide toe cycling shoes for myself and plan to keep making them and start selling them. I'm even taking a class at my local SBDC. Part of the class is to make a short market research survey, if you want it would be great if you could fill it out: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6F2JKX9 If not and you just want to leave some thoughts or ask some questions here, that would be great too! Thanks!
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Re: Any interest in Wide Toe Flat Sole Cycling Shoes? [MattMaples] [ In reply to ]
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Did your survey!

- look at Altra, Topo and Zero running shoes for toe book ideas
- move the cleat area about a 1/2 inch further back
- upper should be soft, breathable, with plenty of stretch
- low profile, single BOA for lock down
- sell without insoles and allow 2-5 mm for customers to insert their preference

Good luck! Would love to know when you get some made
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Re: Any interest in Wide Toe Flat Sole Cycling Shoes? [IntenseOne] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks!
-I haven't heard of topo yet, but I love my Altras, I'll definitely check them out.
-I've heard some people even redrill they're own shoes, but this one never really bothered me. Just to keep your calves from getting tired?
-probably starting with laces or Velcro, but I definitely aspire to some coolness like that
-this isn't a bad idea because I have no idea how to make the insoles myself and haven't chased down this part of the supply chain yet!
Thanks again!
I will definitely stay in touch!
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Re: Any interest in Wide Toe Flat Sole Cycling Shoes? [IntenseOne] [ In reply to ]
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IntenseOne wrote:
Did your survey!

- look at Altra, Topo and Zero running shoes for toe book ideas
- move the cleat area about a 1/2 inch further back
- upper should be soft, breathable, with plenty of stretch
- low profile, single BOA for lock down
- sell without insoles and allow 2-5 mm for customers to insert their preference

Good luck! Would love to know when you get some made

I am interested and agree with intense one's requirements. Also if you have spd cleat hotels you can actually get these type much further back than three hole because they don't need the width near the arch that three hole needs. But since you are designing from scratch you can keep the sole on the exterior wide under arch anyway (most shoes get narrow there, unline running shoes which don't get as narrow as cycling shoes at arch to toe transition.
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Re: Any interest in Wide Toe Flat Sole Cycling Shoes? [MattMaples] [ In reply to ]
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I like the idea. I've been running in altras for the past 6 months and have been recently looking for large toe box cycling shoes. Lake does them very well from what I've seen.

What would be the point of a flat sole cycling shoe since your foot can rotate about the pedal axis throughout the stroke?

Strava
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Re: Any interest in Wide Toe Flat Sole Cycling Shoes? [MattMaples] [ In reply to ]
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What advantages will your shoes have over Lintaman?

https://lintaman.com/...ng-shoe-version-2-0/

They are inexpensive, have 4 bolt speedplay drilling, wide toe box, and mid-foot capability. They aren't perfect but they check a lot of boxes for people looking for those features. I currently use them for triathlon/road(set up with mid-foot speedplay cleats).
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Re: Any interest in Wide Toe Flat Sole Cycling Shoes? [MattMaples] [ In reply to ]
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I would certainly be interested
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Re: Any interest in Wide Toe Flat Sole Cycling Shoes? [MattMaples] [ In reply to ]
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I've literally BEGGED Altra to make cycling shoes. I had a pair of Sidi tri shoes where I cut out the upper next to my big toe (for use on the trainer) so that I could splay it out. It seems the entire shoe market is bent on CAUSING bunions.

So yes, I'd be very interested. I've looked into making my own, but it's a project way down the line for me.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Some are born to move the world to live their fantasies...

https://triomultisport.com/
http://www.mjolnircycles.com/
Last edited by: brider: Jun 17, 19 7:58
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Re: Any interest in Wide Toe Flat Sole Cycling Shoes? [Nelo] [ In reply to ]
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Nelo wrote:
What advantages will your shoes have over Lintaman?

https://lintaman.com/...ng-shoe-version-2-0/

They are inexpensive, have 4 bolt speedplay drilling, wide toe box, and mid-foot capability. They aren't perfect but they check a lot of boxes for people looking for those features. I currently use them for triathlon/road(set up with mid-foot speedplay cleats).

The Lintaman offering does have much going for it, but what they miss, they REALLY miss -- the shape of the toe box. It's like their shoes are only made for people who already have bunions. Look at the Altra last and the difference should be glaring.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Some are born to move the world to live their fantasies...

https://triomultisport.com/
http://www.mjolnircycles.com/
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Re: Any interest in Wide Toe Flat Sole Cycling Shoes? [MattMaples] [ In reply to ]
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Completely agree with intense one. I run in and am very pleased with Altra's. The closest I've found in bike shoes is Lakes. And even they are a little tight on my feet. If you come out with them I would give them a high priority on my list.

Steve
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Re: Any interest in Wide Toe Flat Sole Cycling Shoes? [MattMaples] [ In reply to ]
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One more input -- velcro and/or ratchet straps. Boa... meh. No laces.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Some are born to move the world to live their fantasies...

https://triomultisport.com/
http://www.mjolnircycles.com/
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Re: Any interest in Wide Toe Flat Sole Cycling Shoes? [brider] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks everyone! For my first prototype I'm planning on doing a lace up. I've always just been a recreational cyclist and I've been riding around in some ratchet and Velcro Shimanos. I can see where laces would be a pain for tri. I haven't looked into the BOA or ratchet straps yet to see what kind of off the shelf options there are, I want to really minimize any custom tooling that would require large upfront investment costs for the first couple of years. So, laces are just a transition problem? I'm going to try elastic laces. Think they'll have enough retention on the bike? Is Velcro ok for a couple of years?
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Re: Any interest in Wide Toe Flat Sole Cycling Shoes? [MattMaples] [ In reply to ]
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Laces are just a pain, period.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Some are born to move the world to live their fantasies...

https://triomultisport.com/
http://www.mjolnircycles.com/
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Re: Any interest in Wide Toe Flat Sole Cycling Shoes? [konaboysteve] [ In reply to ]
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+1
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Re: Any interest in Wide Toe Flat Sole Cycling Shoes? [MattMaples] [ In reply to ]
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I like using flat pedals and 5/10 shoes both on the mountain bike and road bike not exclusively but fairly frequently. Experimenting with these has led me to wonder what the purpose of the stiff sole on cycling shoes is. I'm not clear how much a soul would deform across the length of the arch. sometimes I wonder if it's one of those things that is just done out of tradition. My first cycling shoes many years ago were actually made of wood on the bottom with a metal shank down the middle.
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Re: Any interest in Wide Toe Flat Sole Cycling Shoes? [Nelo] [ In reply to ]
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Hi @Nelo, I read your post a month ago and checked out the shoes. They were delivered this week. Unfortunately I'm troubled with a bunion on one foot and getting wide shoes meant the other foot was swimming. I was also interested in trying a midfoot cleat position. The shoes are a bit less streamlined than normal shoes because of adjustability but I'm a function over looks guy and the shoes ticks all the boxes. So far so good with midfoot pedalling as well. Thanks a million for posting.
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Re: Any interest in Wide Toe Flat Sole Cycling Shoes? [Mark57] [ In reply to ]
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Mark-

I'm glad you are giving them a shot since they are an interesting shoe. I totally agree about them being a bit less streamlined than other shoes. FWIW, I found that a midfoot cleat position needed more experimentation to find a good saddle height than with cleats further forward. Good luck.
Edited to add: I also cut the tongue out for easier T1.
Also, Brider if you are reading this, I think you are off base with your quick judgement of Lintamans based on the last shape. Yes they aren't foot shaped like Altras...(I have 10 plus pairs of Altras as well as multiple pairs of Topos and a few other brands of "foot shaped" shoes so I'm in favor of that concept)...but the Lintamans place absolutely no inward pressure on your big toe. There is plenty of room for your toes to spread out. They are more like a slipper with a flat carbon sole.
Last edited by: Nelo: Jul 19, 19 12:24
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