That’s because earlier this year the Bont Crono, a time trial specific shoe, became outlawed by cycling’s international governing body. Banned in an email directly from the UCI a ruling was given that the shoe would be prohibited from competing at all UCI racing events. With one keystroke the Crono was officially blacklisted for Bont’s rigorously innovative design.

But Steven Nemeth and his cunning crew have come up with an answer – a refinement to make the Crono street legal, and they’ve dubbed it the Gen2 Crono.

I couldn’t wait to see this new shoe and when Nemeth’s associate returned from the car he brought a chic, white canvas bag with him. When he unzipped it the new Gen2 Crono was unsheathed. It was light as a feather and like a rare exotic sportscar the Gen2 was flying while merely sitting still. Aside from giving me goosebumps for its sexy aerodynamic construction it didn’t standout from the original, until I took a closer look.

The rocket-like styling and space-aged detail are still there, along with the fully customizable construction. The Gen2 looks like a sword or a javelin ready to slice through time-robbing air and undoubtedly attract a plenty of attention at post-ride coffee stops. But even though this was the sweeter, nicer, more law-abiding sister somehow I thought the updated refinements actually made the Gen2 Crono look more attractive – and I was ready to introduce her to mom.

Nemeth described the update to me, “The angles aren’t as sharp.” As seen in the pictures below, the toe and heel are a bit more subtle and rounded. But the lace enclosure that fastens shut with velcro is now attached on the inside of the upper instead of detaching altogether as it did on the original Crono.

Even with this new model Bont isn’t taking any UCI decision as final. Nemeth continues to appeal and lead a discussion with cycling’s governing body about innovation. “It’s not a financial concern,” Nemeth said. “They can’t just keep holding the sport’s development back. The sport needs to progress, it needs to move forward and we want to help take it to the next level.”

The Gen2 Crono is also not approved by UCI yet, but the updated design could be available for purchase as early as mid-summer 2011. It will retail for $500 US. In the future Bont plans to devlop a Triathlon-specific version to keep the new technology rolling.

Check back for continuing coverage on this shoe and a look at some of Bont’s other models soon.

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First they gave Twitter the figurative bird with a special sock that asked “who gives a f***?” on the instep.

Then their other pair honored the artwork of Hawaiian tattoo legend Sailor Jerry and his spiced rum. Wearing these socks are the ultimate chance to give your riding buddy a little FU on the final climb when you pass him and offer this “Aloha.” The socks are still white but hardcore enough for a little pre-ride posturing at any club ride lineup.

This isn’t the first time Sockguy has been known for hilariously commenting on cycling and society, their Dr. Fuentes classic would still be worthy of mainstream production. But unfortunately these special edition socks only show up once a year for insiders only and won’t be found for sale anywhere except in a lucky search on eBay.

Still, these socks are an example of Sockguy’s comfort and craftsmanship. A pair of Sockguy socks will keep your feet super cozy and cranking for years. Their crew socks like the Sailor Jerry’s wick away moisture keeping feet dry even when the heat is on. They are knit to eliminate wrinkles and hot spots so they feel as good as they fit. Besides a little more cuff up the leg is sometimes more fashionable and fun instead of common cycling sock. They are also a little warmer for early mornings and cooler temperatures.

Plus these socks are all examples of Sockguy’s ability to create a custom look for any shop or team kit. But Sockguy makes a wide range of colorful and fun footwear. With so many sock designs to choose from you’ll be sure to find a favorite style. Their socks come in two sizes and all Sockguy socks are made in the USA.

Sizes: S/M, L/XL
Price: $9.95

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Made in Biella, Italy by Vittoria.
Available from in white, black, red, yellow, and blue colors.

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This year the Lake CX401′s have lost their Velcro strap and now fully-enclosed by the micro-adjustable Boa lacing system that make putting these on a snap and shave access weight. We can’t wait to get on the bike and take these performance shoes for a serious spin.

Besides traditional SPD-SL three-hole cleats, the CX401 are offered in a version that will accept Speedplay pedals.

Check back when Cycling Shoes Online features a comprehensive review of the Lake CX401 road shoes. The Lake CX401′s are Lake’s flagship shoe worn by Tour de France Champion Carlos Sastre and American-sprinting-sensation Tyler Farrar.

Lake Cycling has agreed to an exclusive distribution partnership with Veltec Sports to bring Lake Shoes to local bike shops across the US.

Veltec has long-offered cycling apparel and performance components to bike shops and done so with 25 years of experience in marketing and distribution to bicycle retailers.

Manfred Krikke, chief executive officer of Veltec Sports, is excited about the recent transformations in cycling footwear and recognizes that Lake has been inventive in new shoe designs “In the past couple of years, we’ve noticed a strong demand for the innovation and design that Lake Cycling Shoes offers,” Krikke said.

Lake Shoes can also be ordered directly online from their website.

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When Jim Wyker greeted me he slipped a pair of 2010 Aerlite S.B.S. on my feet and they felt relaxed and comfortable, so good they felt like they were a custom shoe. I was ready to ride.

The reason Northwave’s feel so comfy right out of the box might be partially because the insole is built on a wood foundation. Wood might not seem like an exotic material at first, and don’t worry the outsole is a well-ventilated Carbon epoxy, but wood is the way expensive dress shoes are made.

Then I met Northwave’s other heads of state. Desiree Moore and John McKone stopped and chatted for a while. John elaborated on the benefits of wood, “It’s an insulator to heat and road noise. You know what I mean by road noise don’t you?”

At first I thought I he was referring to dampening vibrations and shock transmitted by the pedals and cranks. But John went on to explain that the wood in Northwave shoes help create a quieter riding experience as well. I’ve never ridden shoes with wood insoles so I wonder what I’m missing.

Northwave’s wood insole is completely natural. The layers of wood are worked, thermoformed at high temperatures and treated with special bonding agents to protect the insole from sweat and water. The structure is broken down into two sections: a more flexible portion that adapts to the shape of your foot and a stiffer core to connect power transmission to the bike.

Northwave builds its shoes from a BioMap concept that analyzes how the body functions during physical activity. So the wood insoles are designed to transmit power directly to the pedals without wasting any energy.

But there is more to a pair of Northwave’s than just the wood intersole. Footbeds, the ventilated outsole, the enclosure and the Ultra Y heel system all work in congress as a complete design.

Check back with Cycling Shoes Online for a complete review.

Colors: black, blue and white
Sizes: 39-48, half sizes 39.5-45.5

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The Sidi Spider SRS is below the familiar top-end Dragon 2 Carbon in the performance pecking order, but it doesn’t skimp on features and it may find an important role in your arsenal every fall when cyclocross season rolls around. That’s because part of the Spider’s design aims to make this shoe a dynamic workhorse off-the-bike.

“We are excited to produce for this year a new choice for the serious Cyclocross Racer or Cross-Country rider. The Spider SRS emphasizes performance, durability and style.” explains Pio, Sidi’s legendary industrial designer.

The front of the Spider is armored with a special rubber toe guard for protection against hits and bumps while the heel cup is more relaxed for running and nailing the dismounts.

The Spider also comes with Sidi’s redesigned Caliper Buckle for dialing in a precise fit and making micro adjustments easier even while riding. Two Velcro straps, both with High Security teeth for snug fits that won’t slip, complete the closure system. Sidi’s Soft Instep Closure System and padded tongue is designed to eliminate pressure points.

The SRS in the Spider’s model name stands for Sole Replacement System. This patented feature can increase shoe life when you want to rebuild the bottom of the shoe’s sole with new cleat tread simply by using a Phillips screwdriver. The Spider accepts standard SPD pedal cleats.

The shoe’s upper is made of Lorica Microfiber, the same supple material found in other Sidi performance shoes. The black Vernice patent leather finish and graphic are distinctively Italian.

Besides the introduction of the new Spider, 2010 also marks Sidi’s 50th anniversary as the Signori family has making cycling shoes in Italy since 1960.

Sizes: 39-48 (half sizes 39.5-46.5)
Colors: Black Vernice
Price: $349.99

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Feeling the rush of the excited crowds I wondered into the shoe and pedal side of the TIME booth for a first-hand peek at the new iCLIC pedals I had been hearing about. I wasn’t expecting a to run into a pro team mechanical manager, but that’s what I got. Straight from the drenched countryside of Northern France was Time’s Product Manager, Dominique Faure. His strong French accent made me sure of two things, I wasn’t about to beat him in a 200M sprint or in a fight for the ladies.  But that’s the magic of Interbike and I didn’t hold the language barrier between us to keep us from coming together as cyclists at heart. I came for the pedals but stayed for the conversation no matter how muddy it got.

THERMO MOLDING: INNOVATIVE RACING CONCEPTS

Dominique started by giving me a tour of Time’s pedals and the customizable shoes he’s been putting through the ringer for over a year just to get them ready for weekend warriors.  Most of the lessons he’s learned arrived from his personal experiences in the field supporting young-professional French racers on the Bbox Bouygues Telecom development team Vendée U.

Vendée U probably stands for Vendée University, as a place for the new crop of France’s next generation of racers to be cultivated in the Vendée region.  Northern France is known for having extremely wet and windy Spring seasons and the racing is notoriously uncomfortable. It doesn’t matter how fast you are the cold wind is going to make your ride miserable. That kind of Spring weather is something known to American Pro Tour racers as “getting Franced on” when referring to riding on an incredibly cold, windy and wet weather. The kind of day so wretched that staying inside on a set of rollers might actually seem attractive.

Dominique recalled one dreadful, wicked day when some of the young bucks on Vendée U came back after a harsh flooded ride and instinctively put their soaked Time shoes on top of the clothes dryer to dry them out and warm them up. Not long after their shoes had dried, the unattended kicks lost their custom fitting due to the extended exposure to the dryer’s heat. The racers called Dominique fearing the worst, that their premium shoes were probably ruined and worthless. But unlike some shoes that require a specific temperature process to mold from Dominique instructed the racers to refit the shoes themselves as they were without the need of driving into a big city bike shop.

To custom fit a pair of 2010 Time cycling shoes it doesn’t take a big production. The Time ULTEAM RS CARBON shoes have a THERMO SHAPE membrane (or TS SYSTEM) inside the upper. All you need is a hairdryer and four minutes to bring the shoes up to temperature and ready for fitting.

Hold a hairdryer at 45 degrees and 15cm from the entrance of the shoe for four minutes and then put the shoe on while wearing a pair of cycling socks. Then sit on a bike held by a rear-wheel trainer and clip in. Don’t pedal, just sit normally and patiently let the shoes cool. This idle position is beneficial because as Dominique notes, “your foot on a bike is not the same as it is walking or standing.”

After the shoe cools, the TS System has retained the shape of your foot and custom molding is complete. As for the racers Vendée U found out, these new Time shoes can be remolded and fitted repeatedly over and over. Dominique told me he molded his own pair every day for over a year while the Ulteam RS Carbon was in its developing process, “I’ve molded my own shoes well over 200 times,” he said.

And in case you forget, each pair of shoes comes with a nice instructional card inside each box. This can also be passed along with the shoes if you ever sell them or give them away giving new meaning to customization. “With the TS System you can feel the difference instantly,” Dominique added.

The TS membrane also helps with problem feet. The shoes don’t come in different widths yet, but the membrane is able to conform to almost any problem. Dominique told me one story of how he helped a racer finish an important stage race. The rider had fallen and had a severe foot injury that made pedaling very difficult and painful. Dominique went to work and after some bandage adjustments with foam and gauze he remolded his shoe using the same process allowing him to ride and finish the race for team Vendée U. Then as the rider’s foot healed they molded the shoes as the swollen foot went back down to its normal health and size.

Dominique has also learned a thing or two from triathletes like Cedric Fleureton. The lessons he has learned might help any racer ride survive a difficult effort when equipment not only needs to not just be working but performing outright.

Take for instance the external toe box on Time’s New ULTEAM TRI CARBON. Dominique noted how Cedric Fleureton once came out of the water only seconds behind the leaders and needed to keep his pace to stay in reach with them. Cedric’s weakest leg is on the bike and after he had a poor transition he couldn’t quite take the time to get his foot in his shoe. The only thing he could think about was pedaling so he rode with his foot on top of his shoe and kept his foot out for the first 10km. Because his Time shoe has a hard external toe box Cedric’s powerful legs didn’t crush the toe completely and when he had a chance he was able to slip his foot inside without being dropped or losing any time.

Listening to Dominique made me feel like I had been there myself and it was reassuring to know that most of the developments came directly from the frontlines of a pro team racing on the rainy roads of France by a product developer who has seen what it means to be race ready.

There is more to tell about Time’s shoes and pedal systems. Stay tuned and we’ll bring you more details from Time’s Interbike booth in part two of my discussion with Dominique.

Time Ulteam shoe sizes: 36 to 47 (half-sizes 40.5 to 45.5)

colors: Shiny White and Red (red sizes 39 to 47 and half sizes)

weight (size 42): 658 grams

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These little jumpers are a classic case of when not to judge a shoe by its cover. They do look slightly quirky – even a funny. The time saved on styling definitely went into putting together a well thought-out rider.

There is a raised and padded inner ankle protector and a protective pad over the laces to keep water, mud and rocks from beating you up.

Grip

Shimano is also using an exciting new material for the outsole. Vibram, an Italitan sole company long used in hiking boots, partnered with Shimano to produce the IdroGrip – a super sticky compound that secures riders on wet rocks, mud and matted grass as well as their pedals. IdroGrip was derived from Vibram’s expertise manufacturing climbing soles.

On the bike, the grip and feel contact to the pedals is second only to FiveTen Impact 2 Low and Freerider shoes – which is quite an accomplishment. They cost about ten bucks more than FiveTen’s, but they might perform longer. Shimano might be the answer to the wet rainforests of the North Country, eh?

Tunability

In addition to that sticky outsole, shoe stiffness can be altered with two different inserts slid in under the insole. I decided that the more flexible insert, or none at all, gave the best pedal control. However if you are headed to the groomies at the jump park and want some speed you can feel a power increase with the stiffer insert.

Verdict

While Shimano’s AM40s are very supple and offer armored shield protection from flying debris and rocks, but maybe not from your friend’s jokes and laughs.

Sizes: 36 – 48, whole sizes
Weight: 837 grams (size 40)
Price: about $100-$110 online

Even though Sidi premiered the Ergo 2 in 2007 its update for 2009 is still the most comprehensive performer on the market today.

When Shimano introduced its fully customizable top of the line SH-R300, the Italians at Sidi didn’t seem to care because 2009’s version of the Sidi Ergo 2 almost identical to the version debuted in 2007.

Most riders all over the world feel the same way – even the Pro’s tend to use Sidi’s more than all other shoes combined. And as testament to it’s quality Sidi is the most popular selling shoemaker in the United States despite its price tag.

Fit

I’ve had my personal pair of Ergo 2’s for two years. When I first tried them on I thought they were nice, but I actually didn’t think they were as special as most people proclaimed. However, I got more excited about them while I was on the bike – for me they make riding more fun.

Even two years down the road I love climbing in them, my heel doesn’t lift out and they are so stiff I feel like the carbon sole engages into the pedals. Sometimes I feel like my feet are on autopilot and hard to believe that I have thousands of miles on them.  When I’m wearing them I feel like I could ride all day, even though I’m an out of shape couch potato.

I think my perceptions of the shoes come from the craftsmanship and construction that I want to highlight next.

The only complaint in the general peloton is the assumption that a Sidi’s fit too narrow for many riders. But in fact, Sidi makes a wide range of sizes including three different widths up to EE for larger feet.

Construction

The heart and soul of the shoe comes from the carbon sole and a Lorica upper.

The top of the shoe is not leather, but a microfiber material fabricated by DuPont. Lorica doesn’t come from cows, but it’s softer than leather, won’t stretch like leather, hold odor like leather or hold water like leather. Using this material creates a stiff, comfortable, long lasting, breathable and very durable shoe.

You can see true craftsmanship from the hole drillings for the cleats. The patented full carbon sole is thinner at the toe than at the heel allowing for minimum stack height at the pedal and maximum stiffness without discomfort.  But the carbon is reinforced around the cleat area stabilizing it against the added stresses of pedaling. The stiffness of the carbon sole is also dampened by a thin layer of cork between the carbon sole and the insole acting as a thin shock absorber using natural material. This interior keeps your blood circulation undeterred to prevent hot spots during longer rides.

While there is a lot of mesh for ventilation allover this shoe, there are also two vents in the hard outer heel cup shell. This kind of venting in the heel is uncommon but very welcome.  The heel cup also sports two reflectors in the base and two more on each side above the HCS, something other performance shoes sometimes overlook despite their necessity.

Enclosure and Tunability Features

At the top of the heel Sidi developed an adjustable heel cup system (the HCS) that wraps around the Achilles tendon keeping the heel from moving around and lifting. The “HCS” can be adjusted to suit any rider by turning the screws on the rear of the shoe to keep the heel stable even while sprinting.

Like the brakes on your bike you can adjust this more on one side or another to help customize it to your foot. This type of adjustable heel cup is a rare feature, one that is unlikely to be found on any other shoe. No more need for duct tape.

Furthering the snug fit are Sidi’s famous Techno II buckles, and the firm SL ratcheting buckle. The main strap can be tightened with a simple tug on the inside SL lever. This is lockdown is far more resistant to clogging with mud and dirt than some buckles on the market.

The release is on the sides of the buckle away from the tightening mechanism so it isn’t confusing between the two. The benefit of the release is how you can loosen the strap tension in very short increments to dial in the fit – an upgrade requested by Gilberto Simoni.

The Techno II buckle is an iconic mechanism that has made Sidi an unmistakable sight. Near the toe of the shoe a line retention system wraps the shoe around your foot volume. It was also designed to relieve pressure points working in tandem with the thin padded tongue creating a “custom fit” every time you put on the shoe. To adjust the Techno II buckle you flip up and twist the circular wheel.

My one and only problem with these shoes is how the Techno II buckle can fall apart and disappear on you. The fastening rod that so elegantly makes the line system so light and highly adjustable can also slide off and cause you to loose the buckle if left unchecked.

On one of my first rides I noticed the rod slipping but couldn’t fix it until the next regroup and when I looked down it had already come apart leaving the pieces on the roadside somewhere behind my group. And as bike shops go, they did not have these small parts on hand. I had to order them but was saved because Sidi’s are rebuildable in this manner.

A nice touch is added to the Velcro strap at the toe. Inside is an indexed strip of teeth that once snug won’t shift or slip making it more secure than any other.

Colors

For 2009 Sidi Ergo 2’s are more polished with a Vernice finish. They come in black, white and red.

But you might be able to still find some of the fancy steel-lux from 2008 on sale.

Sidi is always coming out with limited editions of this shoe for a little more bling.

Serviceability

Like all other Sidi shoes, just about every enclosure piece is replaceable and rebuildable. The Techno II buckle, the SL strap, the heel cup and the heel on the bottom of the shoe can all be replaced. Now many shoe companies build their shoes to be maintained like this, but Sidi was a pioneer in this level of durability and shoes that were serviceable.

The option to refurbish shoes like this will allow you to enjoy these shoes for a very long time. It is not out of reach to imagine using these shoes for even ten years with good care.

Verdict

While custom builds and sizing is loudest buzzword at the bike shops, Sidi offers convention and provides the most ultimate riding experience you can find.

Sizes: 39-48 (half sizes 39.5 – 46.5)
Weight: 642 g
Price: $499 (2008′s might be on clearance online)

Brimming with prestige and a faithful reputation, Mavic adds shoes to their brandname.

Seven road shoes, nine mountain shoes, two women’s shoes in each road and mountain and one flat pedal design complete their grand arsenal – a full closet ambitious for any company to launch.

Somewhere in the middle lies the Avenir. A road shoe touted as performance for the neo pro. If value is what you seek and you have about $130 to spare what can the Avenir do for your ride?

Fit

When I first put them on I noticed the low profile. The sole is very thin and reminded me of my Sidi’s bringing me very close to the pedals. The shoe’s interior was comfortable thanks to the Ergo Fit 2D, a special two-density insole cradled my heel and an anti-bacterial treatment resisted odors. Out of the box the fit was very satisfying for a shoe at this price.

The second thing I noticed was the snug fit. To me it felt like a very narrow toe box. I have a high arch and narrow foot and felt right at home in the Mavic’s but I wondered how other riders might feel. Those who complain about toe box issues might feel claustrophobic.

But if the fit is comfortable for you the bonded upper and thin, vented tongue are soft enough to keep your blood flowing right.  This kind of bonded construction should help avoid hot spots on even the longest rides.

Weight

while low cuts like this keep weight down, they might be hard on the ankles too.

When Mavic first released shoes they got a lot of attention from boasting the lightest shoe in mainstream cycling with the Huez model at 195 grams. This was within a farmer blow away from other lightweights like Rocket7 who still hold the title.

The Avenir’s weight is heavier because it doesn’t have a carbon sole and it uses Velcro straps instead of Mavic’s Ergo Strap technology.  But these less expensive materials help keep the price down allowing you to ride the same design principles as Mavic’s upper end.

And a really deep cut around the ankle helps keep some of that weight off – even in Mavic’s mountain bike shoes.  I don’t expect to bang my ankles on my chainstays that much but I cringed at the thought of wearing off-road shoes that would expose me to rocks, roots and thorns with a cut like this.  It’s not until you wear a low cut shoe and start getting pounded on the trail when you realize that maybe being a weight-weenie isn’t in your ankle’s best interest.

Enclosure

The first two Velcro straps bring the shoe around tight and the third locks down with a buckle. The Ergo Lite Ratchet tightening enclosure is a long smooth functioning piece of aluminum that looks durable enough to withstand a crash if you were unlucky enough to lay it down.

However, they didn’t tighten very easily while on the bike. It seemed that the system wouldn’t grab the next step in the plastic strap. This was a bummer because I couldn’t always be assured to get them as tight as I wanted.

And if I got them too tight, they weren’t easily loosened. Right beside the tightening ratchet is the release mechanism you also pull up to disengage.  While the design would protect you from accidental release you can’t loosen them in increments. It’s all or nothing – dialing them in takes some getting used to.

Verdict

Now that criticism might be too picky for a shoe costing $130. As I’ve written before, any ratchet system usually isn’t found on a shoe costing less than $200.

The technology in this shoe would have qualified as Pro level not too long ago but if the toe box is too narrow or the ratchet strap won’t work properly I’d rather do without.  It’s almost like comparing these to a $500 mountain bike that comes with front suspension.  The rest of the components would be cheaper and the bike might not be trail-worthy overall.  For me, I want to be able to get a shoe as tight as I want without any hang-ups or disappointment mid-ride.

Sizes: 36 to 50 (whole and half sizes)
Weight: 340 grams
Price: $130