Week 4 – Upper Research

[embeddoc url=”https://blogs.uoregon.edu/spd686kurtsettembre/files/2020/04/KRS-MTB-Shoe-Upper-Research.pdf” download=”all” viewer=”google” ]

 

The goal of this research was to examine current methods of closure for mountain bike footwear and examine the difference between this and what we have recently learned in the SPD program. We recently learned some important things about fit from Geoffrey Alan Gray, the the president of a shoe research company called Heeluxe. We learned some places where it is ok to apply pressure to the foot. We also learned some things to avoid. If current closures are not doing the following than my ideas for closures/uppers will be attempting to do so.

 

For example:

We were shown this diagram about variance in foot width, fit, and good areas to secure the foot.

 

The top of the foot is extremely complex and avoiding pressure on the navicular was an important point.

 

 

Avoiding pressure on the extensor hallucis longus was also an important point. Having the mid-line of the tongue of the shoe in line with the extensor hallucis longus will ensure comfort and even pressure to a sensitive part of the foot.

We were also informed to not apply pressure to the back of the Achilles tendon but to apply pressure to the sides when securing the back of the shoe.

Flat Pedal MTB Shoe Midsole Research Presentation

Goals for Flat Pedal Shoe Cushion System:

  • Eliminate points of high pressure on the foot
  • Allow “cupping” of the pedals
  • Lessen vibration to reduce foot fatigue

Eliminating Points of High Pressure

By using a more rigid material that has hinge points the foot can still move how it needs to to grab the pedals but points of high pressure are eliminated

RIGID COMPONENT VIDEO

 

Allowing “Cupping” of pedals

When riding flat pedals it is necessary to be able to cup the pedals in order to pick up the bike by the pedals when jumping or hopping. The shoes and cushioning must be able to conform to the pedal in order to facilitate this.

 

Lessen Vibrations to Reduce Foot Fatigue

A layer of material will be added to reduce the vibrations that make it to the foot. This is a minor functional requirement compared to the previous requirements. A material like Sorbothane with a 30 durometer on the Shore 00 scale should be a good starting point. Exploring patterns in the layer could reduce weight and promote better vibration absorption. Sorbothane states that round shapes work better than square shapes and that a certain loading needs to be experienced by that material for its properties to be effective at dampening vibration.

SOROBOTHANE VIDEO

 

“Patent Dwg”

  1. Distance between hinge points.
  2. Vibration damping material such as visco-elastic polyurethane.
  3. axis of rotation of pedal.
  4. Plan view of load distribution assembly.
  5. Elevation view of load distribution assembly.
  6. Mid-sole.
  7. Geometry of hinge point.