The new Lake Cycling CX333 Road Shoe - reboot or upgrade?

The Lake CX322 was a beloved shoe by those who enjoyed the snug feel of the Kangaroo leather paired with a slimmer fit.  Of the entire Lake Cycling range, it was also the most popular shoe from an aesthetic perspective.  The pearly white outer with more minimalist styling was appealing to those who found the CX238 and CX242 a little more utilitarian.  Despite the slimmer width option, the wide and extra wide fits still allowed those with voluptuous feet to find a shoe that was suitable.  The later options of aqua and purple colour ways were also extremely popular especially with female clients.

The new CX333 has supplanted the CX332 in the range and brings with it some new features pulled from the top of the line CX403.  Does this make it better?  Well, it certainly makes it different.  So, let’s cover the pros and cons of the CX333 in detail.

The new CX333 has grabbed the new tongue design that first featured in the CX403.  The stitched tongue attaches to the medial (inside) aspect of the shoe and prevents annoying movement of the tongue during riding.  The CX332 tongue was certainly not the strongest feature of that shoe as the thin kangaroo skin would occasionally wear, and the tongue would drift or finish a little short of the desired position.  These problems have been solved comprehensively in the new model.  The wrapping effect of the new tongue also solves the issue of ‘pocketing’ on the inside of the shoe where extra material would gather and fold.  This was especially an issue in lower volume feet.  All these improvements are a huge plus for the CX333.

Along with the new tongue design, the CX333 also features a firmer carbon weave wrap in the midsole of the shoe.  This creates a firmer foot feel for the arch of the foot.  The added benefit of this feature is additional strength to the inner lining and better long term wear as well.  Aesthetically, it looks pretty good but for those who just want ‘white’ shoes, its adds a layer of extra visual distraction.

The new CX333 features the latest BOA dial offerings which are wonderfully light and have the best tension feel in the business.  These aren’t cheap, but they are the best in the industry and for high end shoes they are a must.

The new range whilst not yet offering the extra colour ways just yet, does come in a black offering for those who can’t be trusted with nice things, and a stock white CLARINO leather finish.  The harder wearing CLARINO option tends to hold its colour and shape better then the Kangaroo leather.  It also provides the option of white shoes with white BOAS that plenty of young lads desire.

The carbon race sole remains very stiff (as stiff as is required) and has the nice matt finish that replaces the original high gloss design.  As usual, Lake is very generous with the cleat hole locations and adjustability, and those seeking a more mid foot position won’t be disappointed.  The toe box is also borrowed from the 403 and is firmer and squarer then the previous CX332 model.  This gives the sensation of roominess the Lake is famous for.

The CX333 also retains the heat molding components from the CX332 to improve heel retention. Whilst this a nice option, I still wouldn’t rely on it overly to improve the heel tightness.  The grip around the heel on most lake offerings isn’t super tight compared to other shoes on the market but the gentle roominess is where the sweet spot remains for the company.

Aesthetically, the shoe is toned down with less Lake logos featuring on the upper.  This is certainly what most riders want.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but this shoe certainly looks very clean and tidy.  Some will still find it a little busy compared with some of the very minimalist designs but it’s certainly a solid 8/10 from me on the visuals.

There remains three width options, but slightly confusingly, these have been changed to narrow, standard and wide (previously standard, wide and extra wide).  This is a crucial change as those wishing to update from the CX332 need to adjust down a width accordingly.  If you were in a wide previously, it’s likely you will fall into the standard category now.  In general, this shoe feels roomier then the previous CX332 so it’s potentially worth getting resized if possible to double check the fit.  The narrow version certainly feels a little roomier than the standard CX332 offering from the previous model.  If you have a genuinely super narrow foot, then probably look to other shoes offerings.

The shoe comes with the standard Lake Syksol offering which we tend to upgrade to the Cobra9 SemiPro for most clients.  The factory insole is comfortable and has some arch structure and is perfectly suitable for a shoe of this level.

Overall, I’d give this shoe a solid 8/10.  It looks better than the CX332, tightens better than a CX332 but may just be a little roomy for those with slimmer feet that snuck into the CX332 previously.  This is certainly a reboot and not an upgrade. This shoe is perfect for those who want to ride long distances and not worry about compression and numbness. Let’s hope the Chameleon Purple is on the way!!

Overall 8/10

Pros

Improved Aesthetics

Better Retention

Updated BOAS

White on White - come on!!!!

Vastly improved tongue design

The MX333 fits the same for those playing at home

Cons

New Widths could be confusing

Not best in class for heel retention

Slightly heavy (300 grams sz 43)

New Shoe Review - Bont Vaypor V23

Bont V23

Shoe Tested - Bont Cycling Vaypor - White Sz 45 - Standard Width

Price - $629 RRP (Cheapest online Price - $549)

It’s been a while since we reviewed a shoe, but this shoe from Bont Cycling has created a lot of interest since it was released at the end of 2023. Bont is a renowned Australian cycling and rowing shoe manufacturer with a proud history of design innovation and performance. Bont also has a history of polarising riders with the lovers and haters separated by the design and manufacturing techniques used across the range. The new Vaypor promised to end that conversation. So we test rode a pair for three months to see if this was the case.

Bonts are the shoes many aspiring cyclists wish to ride. The company has always pitched itself as a maker of shoes for all foot types including narrow and wide feet. The anatomical shape of the shoes has been a selling point as this feature distinguishes Bont from many of the pointy toe offerings from Europe. I don’t want to do a review of all Bont shoes, but the singular challenge many riders have had with traditional Bont shoes is contact on the firm Carbon ‘tub’ that the foot sits inside. The softer microfiber materials in the upper sit above the foot so if your foot is placed inside the incorrect width, then pressure points can ensue. Heat molding can solve this challenge, but there are limitations and given carbon is not a flexible material, some riders will remain overwhelmed by that sense of innate firmness around their feet.

The new Vaypor seeks to keep the sense of structure around the foot, but release the forefoot into a softer pliable upper. The traditional and famous supportive heel cup remains around the heel, however, the carbon ‘tub’ height drops as it reaches the mid foot. By the time we reach the forefoot of the shoe, the carbon ‘tub’ sits in line with the 4mm insole ensuring there is no carbon bucket sensation around the ball of the foot or toes. Remarkably, the heel cup is still one of the best in the business at holding the foot firmly.

Once you grab a pair of these shoes it is impossible not to be startled by the weight.

Once you grab a pair of these shoes it is impossible not to be startled by the weight. These shoes are LIGHT! I mean, real light - we tested a pair at 190grams - beaten only by the old S Work EXOS single boa climbing shoe at about 170 grams in the same size. The closure on the Bont destroys the EXOS with a dual-dial BOA Li2 Fit System and a structured heel cup. Looking at the shoe it seems impossible that this much shoe can weigh so little.

The second feature which we noticed was the extremely thin carbon sole which remains incredibly stiff despite the 3.6mm stack height (this measurement provided by Bont). The foot feel into the pedal remains wonderful and responsive. There is slightly more flex in these two-piece constructed shoes compared to the monocoque chassis of the Vaypor S but when riding, it’s hard to spot the difference.

Bont V23

The upper closure on the Vaypor is plush and soft without any constricting elements. The eyestay mounted BOA Fit System is effective and remains relatively open upon tightening. Higher volume feet in the mid foot should find this shoe suits them well. In the last 3 three months of riding my foot has remained secure in the shoe and I have only had to tighten occasionally when riding, which is standard for me in all shoes.

The durability is superb. I haven’t treated my pair of Vaypors with any care and attention including walking for 2km on gravel yet they remain intact and relatively white. There is some mild discolouration which you would expect with frequent wet rides, yet they clean up very well with wet wipes.

The insoles in these shoes are 4mm dual density base level insoles designed by Bont and Cobra9. The insoles feature a thin flexible carbon shell for arch support and dual density foam for cushioning.

In summary, we have loved these shoes. The shape, weight and foot feel are tremendous. These shoes are perfect for the standard to wider feet who want to do some serious riding. Lovers of the Vaypor S shoes may find this offering a little too unstructured for their tastes however we promote this shoe as a kilometre-heavy shoe. One for the big days in the saddle where you want comfort and performance.

Pros

Light - seriously!

Comfortable

Adjustable

Attractive

Normal to Wide foot suitable

Cons

Not as stiff as Vaypor S for the devoted

Narrow feet might them a tad too roomy

Price Point may be too much for some

Rating 9/10

More Shoe Offerings at The Pedaler - Welcome aboard Bont Cycling

We are all about cycling and shoes at The Pedaler. We take the fitment and outcomes of shoe fitting pretty damned seriously as well. We only fit shoes by appointment. We do this as we don’t want average solutions or for clients to endure a ‘good enough’ fit mentality.

We have always loved fitting Lake shoes and we continue to stock and order in the complete and comprehensive range of these shoes as they tick every box. With the launch of the new Vaypor from Bont, we have now added this well known Australian brand to our cache of shoe options as well.

As for our shoe fitting process, we remain focused on fitting Bonts via appointment only. This ensures we get it right and allows us to guarantee the outcome. If its not working, its on us to fix it. It also allows us to ensure we understand the individual nuances of your feet that may direct us away from or towards certain styles or widths. Personal shoe fitting also allows us to tap into the entire range of each shoe brand we carry to ensure we aren’t cutting corners.

With the addition of Bont, we are looking to cater for those that want that Bont foot feel and also to assist those that have had potential challenges fitting these shoes in the past. We also perform follow up heat molding and even take custom Bont shoe casts as well.

If you’re keen on investigating the new Bont Vaypor, or another option in the range, make a time for a fitting appointment and let us set you up properly. We will endeavour to do a review on the new shoe soon, so watch this space for more information.

The End of the Financial Year is upon us. If you have AHM or Defence Health, now is the time to give us a call.

As the end of the financial year approaches, it’s a good time to make the most of our ‘no gap’ option on all second sets of orthotics for existing clients.

Every valued client of The Pedaler who has had orthotics from our lab in the past has the option of organising a ‘no gap’ set. AHM and Defence Health reset June 30th, so if you’re with one of those insurers, let us know ASAP so we can deliver your custom orthotics before the time runs out.

We are also excited to be taking delivery of the latest cycling shoes from Lake Cycling including the new 242 ‘problem solving’ shoe. These are available to order by appointment only but are fantastic for lumps, bumps, bunions or neuromas.

We’re here to help.

The Pedaler

lake CX242

Huge News - Meet our new Physiotherapist and Ironman enthusiast Kathryn Krosch!!

We are stoked to add to our team another talented physiotherapist and bike fitter who ‘walks the walk and talks the talk’. Kathryn has worked inside multi-sport as a physiotherapist and also races and coaches triathlon as well. Kathryn completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Australian Catholic University in 2017 before starting her career in sport physiotherapy on the Northside. After a few years, Kathryn took on a new role as the rehabilitation physiotherapist for the Queensland Reds Super Rugby team in 2022. Working in this high performance environment was both a challenging and valuable experience. Treating professional athletes sharpened her sports focus and performing injury management work within this group was especially rewarding.

Kathryn has completed further education in Women’s health, and also specialises in running and cycling biomechanics for optimal performance and injury prevention. After completing the Science of Cycling Physiotherapy bike fit course, Kathryn regularly performs bikefit services for her athletes and clients, targeted towards any musculoskeletal imbalances or injuries. 

While working as a Physiotherapist, Kathryn has also competed as an elite age group triathlete where her achievements include racing at the Ironman World Championships in 2018 and ITU Olympic distance age group world Championships in Mexico, 2015. She has achieved International and Australian podium finishes in Ironman Cairns, Ironman Bussleton, 70.3 Liuzhou, and has begun racing and podiuming in Women’s Elite and open races. She is also a triathlon coach, working with beginner and elite triathletes, and understands the musculoskeletal requirements for endurance performance.

We are thrilled to get another talented practitioner who also works hard within their chosen sport. It is always difficult getting practitioners who work and live in their chosen specialities and Kathryn certainly loves the culture of multi-sport and working on athletes in this space.

Give us a call or go online to make a time for Kathryn to work with you.

2023 is almost over!

And we are almost booked out!! Due to high demand, please contact us direcly if you can’t find an appointment spot before the end of 2023. We will make sure no one misses out. Don’t waste your private health rebates. Get something cool for your shoes. Or maybe get new shoes. Whatever takes your fancy.

The Pedaler Team

It almost the end of 2022 and it's time to make the most of your health insurance again.

At The Pedaler we have been running our NO GAP* second set of orthotics offering for over 7 years. If you have had orthotics made with us previously, then we will organise a replacement set or a new set for you at NO GAP*

Whats does this mean? If you have had walking orthotics, we can set you up with a set of running versions. If you have had cycling orthotics, we can set you up with a pair for your walking shoes. If you’ve just purchased a new set of schmick cycling shoes, then we can dial in those shoes for you and have them fitting perfectly. If your old set are just plain worn out, let us know.

We keep all your foot impressions on file so we can replicate for you without too many hassles. If your old impressions are non viable, then we will let you know and recast you at NO GAP*.

We are at the pointy end of 2022 and as the year comes to a close, most of the funds reset.

Give a call or send us an email and we can get the process started. It always gets a little busy at the end of December so don’t wait too late.

Enjoy the tail end of the year, The Pedaler Team.

*must have applicable health insurance.

Carbon Fibre Orthotics? - Why we love this material for orthotic design

Orthotic therapy has been around for many years. In the 26 years I have been prescribing and building orthotic devices, the technology and underlying prescription process has changed enormously. The standard building blocks of orthotic design when I entered University in 1996 were polypropylene plastic shells linked to static lower leg measurements to decide correction levels. These concepts were diligently instructed and practised by Podiatrists for many years.

When I moved back to Hobart in 2007, I got stuck into orthotic creation again in the orthotic lab at our practice. Whilst some of the concepts around orthotic prescription had begun to move on, the underlying materials remained largely unchanged. Most were made from polypropylene shells or EVA foam blocks. It was around this time we began designing orthotics for cycling. This was a huge change in design parameters as the volume and shape required to fit appropriately inside a tight fitting cycling shoe were very unique. We experimented with thin plastics and foams however we found this was still too bulky.

Carbon Fibre Orthotic

We started using a carbon fibre composite around this time to keep the volume down. The first carbon fibre we used was thermo-mouldable and was a simple twill layout. Whilst the volume was more appropriate, the uniform layup of the fibre didn’t allow us to reinforce the shells in the direction where the maximum load was occuring.

After a lot of experimenting, we began layering up our own carbon fibre and baking our shells with different types of carbon weave. This significantly reduced the volume further and allowed us to create strength in directions where we wanted it. It also allowed the shells to bend and flex under load rather then remain a uniform shape.

Cycling shoes have very little space for orthotics

This brings us back to the prescription process and why we love using the carbon fibre for its unique properties. Whether we ride or run, our feet don’t remain a fixed shape under load. The natural tendency is for a foot to change shape through the riding/running process. Carbon fibre flexibility works well with the dynamic nature of this crucial foot function. If your arch flattens under load, we should expect the orthotic shell adapt to this change rather than remain stiff and unyielding.

The overall outcome is a more comfortable lightweight thin orthotic device that tends to be more user friendly and less obtrusive. It doesn’t mean that every orthotic device is the same, or that every version we create is perfect every time, but certainly we try and create solutions with dynamic loading in mind, and the client expectations at the heart of the solution, As I always say, “there is no point in having the ‘best’ orthotic device available to you if it sits in the cupboard not being used”.