Bicycling

© James Huang

Eurobike 2010: From companies that specialise in matters concerning the head and the butt, Giro and fi'zi:k have both announced that they’ll be now making shoes.

Let’s start with the butt people. The makers of many riders’ favourite saddle, fi'zi:k have launched three models, the high-end R1, men's R3 Uomo and women's R3 Donna. No doubt the Italian company will apply the same craftsmanship to the shoes as they do with their great seats. Unfortunately we weren’t able to visit Eurobike in Friedrichshafen but from the pics circling on the internet we see a combination of old school Kangaroo leather and perforations with high-tech carbon buckles and mouldable soles.

Giro has spent two years on their shoe project. Like fi'zi:k, their new range includes men and women’s road shoes and also mountain bike footwear.
They’ve also introduced an adjustable footbed system called Supernatural Fit Kit to customize the fit. Some models use Easton carbon technology, another brand within the same group of companies. If you’d been very observant while watching this year’s Tour you’d already know that Levi Leipheimer has a pair.

Local distributors are currently at Eurobike and are unavailable to answer the inevitable question, “When will they arrive on SA shores?”