{"id":50677,"date":"2023-06-06T18:23:17","date_gmt":"2023-06-06T16:23:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=732931"},"modified":"2023-06-06T18:35:40","modified_gmt":"2023-06-06T16:35:40","slug":"velovetta-claims-405-monarch-is-the-fastest-cycling-shoe-ever-made-thanks-to-cfd-optimised-heel","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/velovetta-claims-405-monarch-is-the-fastest-cycling-shoe-ever-made-thanks-to-cfd-optimised-heel\/","title":{"rendered":"VeloVetta claims $405 Monarch is \u201cthe fastest cycling shoe ever made\u201d thanks to CFD-optimised heel"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are conventional cycling shoes a sub-optimal shape? <\/p>

By Simon von Bromley\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 06 June 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

The VeloVetta Monarch is \u201cthe fastest cycling shoe ever made\u201d, and the first to be designed using CFD modelling, according to the brand.<\/p>\n

Designed for cyclists competing in road, time trial<\/a> and triathlon races, the Monarch is said to be significantly more aerodynamic than other popular cycling shoes<\/a>, such as the Specialized S-Works Road 7<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Monarch, which costs $405 (around \u00a3326\/\u20ac380 at the time of writing), also uses an innovative closure system that can be preset to the desired tension using a dial, and then \u201cinstantly\u201d opened or closed using an integrated lever.<\/p>\n

Accordingly, VeloVetta claims wearing the Monarch shoes can potentially save a rider significant amounts of time in a race scenario.<\/p>\n

The king of aero gains<\/h2>\n
\""VeloVetta\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
VeloVetta says the Monarch is the first cycling shoe to be developed using CFD modelling.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

As already noted, VeloVetta claims the Monarch is the first shoe to be designed using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) modelling, which is akin to a virtual wind tunnel.<\/p>\n

The use of such software is increasingly common with aerodynamic cycling kit, such as aero road bikes<\/a>, wheels and aero road helmets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

POC\u2019s latest time trial helmet, the Procen<\/a>, was designed using CFD modelling, for example.<\/p>\n

\n
\""VeloVetta\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Monarch is shaped to be both aero and comfortable.<\/span><\/figcaption> VeloVetta<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Monarch\u2019s design features a slim frontal area, with no rotary dials or laces to disturb the airflow, while the retention system has been moved to the rear of the shoe.<\/p>\n

The latter is a similar strategy to that employed by the Bontrager Ballista Knit shoe<\/a>, although in the VeloVetta Monarch\u2019s case, the rotary dial is more cleanly integrated into a composite structure added to the rear of the shoe.<\/p>\n

\""VeloVetta\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
VeloVetta says the Monarch\u2019s unique heel shaping to key to its aerodynamic efficiency.<\/span><\/figcaption> VeloVetta<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

According to VeloVetta, this part is a structural part of the shoe, and not simply a fairing.<\/p>\n

This is crucial to ensure compliance with UCI\u2019s technical regulations<\/a>, although it may nevertheless still fall foul of article 1.3.033.<\/p>\n

This regulation states \u201cshoes that have been made more aerodynamic by the addition of a non-essential element or by a modification to the toe or heel are prohibited from competition.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\""VeloVetta\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The rear of the Monarch houses the retention system and is a structural part of the shoe\u2019s sole.<\/span><\/figcaption> VeloVetta<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Of course, few people actually race in UCI-sanctioned events, so this may be something of a moot point for most riders.<\/p>\n

That aside, the VeloVetta Monarch uses a carbon sole to improve pedalling efficiency (although the jury is out on whether cycling shoe stiffness actually matters<\/a>).<\/p>\n

It can accept 3-bolt cycling cleats<\/a> and is available in either black or white, in sizes EU38 to EU47.<\/p>\n

\""VeloVetta\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The VeloVetta Monarch cycling shoe is compatible with 3-bolt cycling cleats.<\/span><\/figcaption> VeloVetta<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The fastest cycling shoe ever made?<\/h2>\n

According to VeloVetta, the Monarch is the fastest (by which it really means \u2018most aerodynamic\u2019) cycling shoe ever made.<\/p>\n

To demonstrate this, VeloVetta says it pitted a prototype of the Monarch against three other popular cycling shoes at the A2 wind tunnel, in Mooresville, North Carolina.<\/p>\n

The three other shoes tested were the:<\/p>\n