Quoc Mono II shoes
Since its launch in 2009, Londonbased brand Quoc has always prided itself on classic, stylish designs, but the new Mono II shoes claim to be Quoc’s ‘most advanced road shoe to date’. Certainly they look racier than the outgoing, all-velcro enclosure
Mono shoes these replace.
Starting from the bottom, the Mono II is based around a unidirectional carbon fibre sole to maximise power transfer, with a vibrationabsorbing insole on the other side to help dampen the road vibrations super-stiff soles are liable to transmit. There’s also padding around the heel and a choice of three inserts for customised arch support.
The new two-piece upper has been borrowed from Quoc’s Gran Tourer gravel shoe and selected for its weather-resistant durability, albeit here it gets a highly perforated treatment to increase breathabiltity.
There’s also a new closure system, with Quoc’s own dual dials debuting alongside a custommoulded lace guide to spread pressure, as well as a dovetail padded tongue for better circulation.
All of this comes in at a claimed 249g per shoe (size 43), which while not class-topping (that would be the 99g-claimed Specialized Exos) still makes the Mono IIS some of the lightest shoes on the market.
Body Geometry is Specialized’s ongoing project to create products that help riders to fit better to bicycles, and the latest innovation to emerge from its laboratory is the S-works Romin Evo saddle, featuring
Mirror technology.
It’s the same wizardry as used in the S-works Power saddle that cradled Mark Cavendish’s posterior while he rode to those stage victories in France earlier this year. Mirror technology means the saddle is built from a 3D-printed liquid polymer matrix, effectively a honeycomb structure that can be more precisely tuned than regular foam. This in turn is bonded to a flexible carbon shell and carbon rails.
What this means for the rider is that pressure is more evenly distributed across the saddle, importantly taking pressure away from the sit bones while still ensuring unrestricted blood flow to soft tissue while in an aero position.
The Romin Evo is 2cm longer than its sister saddle, the 24cm Power, and features a slight ramp at the back that’s designed to allow riders to shift between a tuck position at the front and a more climbing-suitable position at the rear.