RBC custom carbon cycling and ice skating shoes

[CKinnard]

I am curious about anyone who has experience dealing with the products of Clint Jensen, the owner of RBC custom shoes. Clint has been at the cutting edge for years and has many professionals and Olympians on his books.
I've been told RBC closed down several years ago, but is being reborn under a new name.

[CKinnard]

So I spent the morning with Clint. A few days earlier he had done a new cast of Shane Perkin's feet, and he took me through the modeling process. Below are a few shots.

Clint will continue to do custom shoes but is looking at a range of off the shelf products.

prototype - 2 part carbon track sprinter's shoe




Shane Perkin's new moulds

[foo on patrol]

You'd need deep pockets, wouldn't you?

I think Shane is off to Japan in the next few days, for the Keirin racing again.

Foo

[MichaelB]

I'm almost afraid to ask what the wallet impact would be .....

[CKinnard]

Yes Shane went back to Japan a few days after having his feet molded.
Completed shoes were shipped Monday last week.

below - pic of completed shoes. a wide velcro strap goes over the mid foot to secure foot to pedal (in addition to cleat).
the goal with short course shoes is to minimize energy lost
via intrinsic lateral ankle/foot movement.



re cost, aud1200ish. Considering sidi off the shelf top models are now as high as aud800, the differential is not significant. further, follow up pairs are cheaper, as moulds and upper cuts do not have to be repeated. And keep in mind, these do better what they are designed to do, than any off the shelf product. These are NOT a 4 hour road ride shoe. They are designed to transmit as much lower limb generated force into the pedal as possible, over periods up to 1 hour.

edit: shane has very flat feet!

[MichaelB]

Interesting.

Regardless of the Sidi prices, I'd NEVER spend that much, but I don't have that much power.

Thanks for the info and pics though !!!