![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bowralclassic.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_0098-300x300.jpg\")
Bowral Classic:<\/strong> Steven, we were thrilled to hear of Bont\u2019s involvement with the 2nd annual Bowral Classic. We\u2019ve taken a close look at the custom Vaypor S complete with event logo and they look sensational.<\/p>\n Steven Nemeth:<\/strong> Yes the shoes have come up very well – we\u2019re very proud of them. We are also thrilled to be involved with what James Yaffa is doing with these cycling events, it fantastic for cycling and in terms of our involvement I\u2019m very happy. I hope we continue the relationship. So far the Bont Cycling trophy case holds-<\/strong><\/p>\n 59 World Track Championship titles. If you add silver and bronze you could probably triple those figures.<\/p>\n BC:<\/strong> Staggering – do some of these professionals assist with feedback and ideas for updates? The key aspects of our shoes, in terms of shaping and anatomical and structural support, is included right across all of our range. The materials and production methods may change, but in terms of what\u2019s required to stabilise the knee or stop the foot from rolling in, the shaping, forward support, heel cut, structural support etc – it\u2019s all the same. No one is penalised for not being able to buy a top-level shoe.<\/p>\n BC:<\/strong> How many models do you currently have and where are you biggest markets? BC:<\/strong> The Vaypor S has a solid reputation as best of the best – how do you improve on that, where do you go from here? BC: <\/strong>How do you work around pedal limitations without developing your own pedal? What I try to work on is looking more at the biomechanics side of it – how the bone structure and muscle structure in your foot actually behave during a pedal stroke. And how we can maximise what we can get out of that movement.<\/p>\n How we can get the most out of that, how we can go about muting muscles that are useless and neutralising the feet, that sort of thing.<\/p>\n BC:<\/strong> Can you explain the research, development and testing process?<\/p>\n SN:<\/strong> I come from a sports science background – plus a lot of years in sport and working with athletes. We test the shoes with Cycling Australia and other associations.<\/p>\n When you look at a pedal stroke or take a slow motion video you can decipher at which pedal stroke what muscles are working. We assess how we can make changes to the shape of the shoe to affect that in a positive way – to make riders go faster with the least amount of effort.<\/p>\n If there are muscles firing just to support something that\u2019s not actually making you go faster, that\u2019s a waste of energy and something we want to reduce or eliminate to save that energy.<\/p>\n BC:<\/strong> Absolutely fascinating – thank you for giving us this insight today.<\/p>\n SN:<\/strong> A pleasure, thank you.<\/p>\n The Bont Vaypor S<\/strong><\/p>\n Bont\u2019s flagship shoe, the Vaypor S, is regarded as the company\u2019s finest, most anatomically correct platform with the most efficient power transfer platform currently available. The Vaypor S is kept secure on the foot by the best retention and securing system available – twin BOA IP1 dial closures.<\/p>\n Offering a fully customisable fit, the Vapour S is described as the most heat moldable shoes available. The company\u2019s proprietary resin has been developed to be extremely stiff. It becomes pliable at relatively low temperatures. While other shoes are only moldable in select locations, all Bont cycling shoes are able to be molded over the entire chasis providing superior comfort and the perfect custom fit.<\/p>\n Bicycling Australia editor Gary Hunt has extensively tested the shoes and found the Vaypor S to be a high performance shoe with a very stiff, anatomically correct chassis for excellent power delivery.<\/p>\n \u201cThe custom fit last increases comfort, and clever shaping of the uppers with the latest Boa dial tensioning ensures your foot is comfortably secure, complimenting the benefits and efficiency of the wraparound last.\u201d he wrote in the detailed review.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Vaypor S are priced in the upper end of performance shoes, but will suit any bunch riders and racers who are seeking a solution to hot spots and numbness, and those looking for the exceptional stiffness and power delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nBC:<\/strong> Excellent, we hope to see you there. Over to Bont Cycling, many would have seen your products on the feet of some of the world\u2019s top cyclists but might not realise Bont is a proudly Australian company?
\nSN:<\/strong> Spot on. We\u2019re a little Aussie company that\u2019s battling but yes, we\u2019ve got a few results under our belt.\u00a0We obviously have numerous pro cyclists along with triathletes and multi-sport athletes wearing Bont. We\u2019re very proud of the progress and have 200 top riders around the world. We generally take about 33 to 36% off medals in track events and our riders include the number one womens\u2019 team, Wiggle Honda, Cycling Australia, Paralympic teams right through to BMX riders such as Caroline Buchanan.<\/p>\n
\n3 UCI World Road\/ TT champions.
\n12 x Olympic Gold Medals.
\nA TDF title (Sir Bradley Wiggins).
\n1 x Paris-Roubaix win.
\n2 x Tour of Swiss.
\n3 x Ironman World Championships.
\n3 x 70.3 World Championships.
\n2 x UCI BMX World Championships (Caroline Buchanan).
\nNumerous Grand Tour Stage wins, classics and countless stage races.<\/p>\n
\nSN:<\/strong> Not so much – I think their key focus is the riding. We look after the shoe side of things. We obviously don’t just cover the professional side of cycling – we\u2019re the only company that put our top-level engineering into our entry-level cycling shoes as well.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bowralclassic.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1848-1024x576.jpg\")
\nSN:<\/strong> We currently have 14 models across the range. The UK and Asia would be our biggest markets – we do a genuine Asian-fit cycling shoe which is a niche and has proven very popular.<\/p>\n
\nSN:<\/strong> Lots of places really. There are two things that bind us \u2026 One is how much time I\u2019ve got, and probably the biggest limitation we have at the moment is pedals – that\u2019s our biggest limiting factor in making a better-performing shoe.\u00a0There are still things we can do before touching that area, there are specific requirements of pedals that don\u2019t let us go to that stage at the moment.<\/p>\n
\nSN:<\/strong> Shaping is one way around this, to work more on the shape of the base. The way I look at shoes is different – closing mechanisms are great but they\u2019re nothing to write home about.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bowralclassic.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1674-e1495596815551-169x300.jpg\")
\nWith its supple kangaroo leather outer skin, it\u2019s a durable and light weight option for the most fastidious and performance-minded of cyclists.
\nTurn the shoe over and you\u2019ll see the base features Bont Cycling\u2019s unique \u2018micro grid\u2019 alignment markings. These allow for perfect accuracy in cleat placement and fine adjustment.
\nThe front of the shoe incorporates a one-piece toe guard, further reducing weight, increasing airflow (for cooling), improving the aesthetics of the front area and also offering protection.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bowralclassic.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1873-1024x527.jpg\")