Here's where you can buy Team GB's custom moulded carbon shoes
Shoes available to buy from American company Simmons Racing for $2,000
With the first track cycling events of the 2016 Rio Olympics just 55 days away, we've got another glimpse of the secret tech that Team GB riders will be using as they go in search of Olympic glory. This time it's their shoes, and as is the case with all the equipment used in professional racing, they're available to buy for the general public
First spotted in the wild when Bradley Wiggins turned up at his local 10 mile time trial a couple of weeks ago, the new shoes are made entirely from carbon-fibre and certainly don't look to have been designed with comfort or ventilation in mind.
The shoes are custom-moulded for each rider to prevent their feet from moving around inside the shoes, with the whole thing secured using the dial from a Sidi shoe that is located on the sole of the shoe, keeping it safely out of the wind.
>>> British Cycling unveils its 'fastest ever' track bike ahead of the Rio Olympics
Also on the sole is a small rubber grip on the heel to prevent any embarrassing slips when walking around in the track centre, while the shoes areavailable with either four-bolt or three-bolt soles depending on whether riders use Speedplay or other pedals.
The shoes are manufactured by Simmons Racing, a small American company that specialises in custom cycling shoes and speed skates. The shoes are created from custom moulds of each rider's feet, and cost an astonishing $2,000 (approx. £1370) per pair. The good news is that if you're willing to forgo the full custom option in favour of semi-custom shoes created from a tracing of your feet, then the cost drops to just $950 (£650). Bargain!
>>> Buy now: cycling shoes from Wiggle
Team GB riders aren't the first cyclists to go down the road of custom shoes. Another American brand Rocket7 has made custom-moulded shoes for WorldTour pros including Greg Van Avermaet and Tom Boonen, while Lotto-Soudal rider Adam Hansen wears custom shoes that he has designed for himself.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
2,500 children's bikes recalled due to crank failures
Customers advised to "immediately" stop using bikes following one report of injury
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Deep Winter Long Bibs review: exceptionally warm tights in a race-fit style
Warm, highly water-resistant bib tights with a supportive pad for long-ride comfort in the winter months
By Andy Turner Published
-
Fancy dressing the next generation of Olympic champions? British Cycling is on the hunt for an apparel engineer
You can earn at least £52,000 a year if you fancy working on skinsuits and overshoes for BC
By Adam Becket Published
-
British Cycling CEO says there is 'no easy solution' to 20mph restrictions issue faced by UK race organiser
Junior Tour of Wales hit by last minute route change in August due to 11 kilometres of 20mph zones on course
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Young British talent is better than ever, despite the domestic scene's struggles - what next?
Get ready for the next generation of British success, but can it last forever with a shrinking calendar?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Important British race disappears from domestic calendar, as scene continues to suffer
The Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix was part of the shrinking National Road Series
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'The future is bright': British Cycling CEO praises homegrown talent at Tour of Britain
Four Brits currently make up the top four in the general classification going into the race's final weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men 2024 complete startlist: Tom Pidcock and Remco Evenepoel headline six-day event
All the teams and riders for the first edition of the race under British Cycling management
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Promising British rider who quit cycling now feels 'a bit of freedom and happiness'
Nineteen-year-old Cormac Nisbet says he 'always had a bit of fear' in the peloton
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Remco Evenepoel and Julian Alaphilippe confirmed for Tour of Britain Men
Double Olympic champion and Alaphilippe headline Soudal Quick-Step team selection
By Tom Thewlis Published