Fizik have unveiled a new shoe collection split across three levels for men and two for women, and three new additions to their range of Arione saddles at Eurobike 2012.
The Italian company introduced shoes three years ago as a natural extension to a range of products focussed on contact points.
New models in the road shoe range for 2013 are grouped across three levels: the R1, R3, and R5 for men, and R3 and R5 for women.
The R1 and R3 share the same carbon sole, but differ in other aspects. The R1 includes a Sidas insole as standard; an upgrade sold separately for the R3. Other differences include the buckle (carbon on the R1; aluminium on the R3). Sharp eyed observers will have noted the R3 on the feet of David Millar in the Olympic road race.
The upper on each is made from kangaroo leather and a nylon mesh (more mesh this year for greater breathability, say Fizik), and both have a ‘pocket’ in the tongue, which can be filled with different levels of padding (sold separately) to tune the fit.
The greatest change from previous years occurs in the carbon sole, which Fizik claim is ‘more neutral’ in its 2013 iteration, and more easily matched to different foot shapes. We’ll be testing them in the weeks ahead, so we’ll let you know.
The R1 weighs 229 grams, comes in two colours (black or white), and will sell for £299.99. The R3 comes in white with blue detailing or white with black detailing and a red buckle. It will sell for £219.99.
A more affordable shoe is a slight departure for Fizik, who have focussed solely on a premium offering in previous years. The new R5 has a nylon sole, and ‘microtex’ in place of the Kangaroo leather on the upper and as a replacement for sailcloth on the strap. It weighs 259 grams and will sell for £159.99.
The women’s range comprises the R3 and the R5, with the same specification and pricing of the men’s, but slightly lighter owing to the smaller sizes (the R5 is 225 grams, for example).
Fizik is best known for its saddles and the Arione (which we’ve tested on various machines this year, most recently the Scott Foil Team Issue and the Time RX Instinct) remains the signature model, a million seller and Giro winner in 2003 beneath Gilberto Simoni.
To celebrate its tenth anniversary, three new Ariones have been launched at Eurobike for model year 2013 (in UK shops by October, say Fizik).
The new flagship Arione 00 weighs 135 grams and has a carbon base and circular ‘mobius’, carbon braided rails, claimed to avoid placing direct pressure on the sit bones. It was ridden by Liquigas-Cannondale’s Eros Capecchi in this year’s Giro d’Italia. It will come in black with an ‘on trend’ fluorescent green pin stripe at the centre.
Riders in search of greater padding might opt for the R1 or R3, two further additions to the Arione range. The R1 has carbon braided rails (not in the Mobius shape) and a base created from a composite of carbon and injection moulded thermoplastic, and weighs 145 grams. The R3 has a fiberglass-composite base and a K:ium rail and weighs 185 grams.
Fizik’s UK importer, ExtraUK, told us prices remain unconfirmed, but expect the Arione 00 to retail at £299.99, the Arione R1 to sell for £209.99, and the Arione R3 to be priced at £129.99. Availability on all models is expected in November.
