First longer test ride with full carbon/kevlar bike shoes |
April 13th, 2014 |  |
) A nice test: cycling with on my left foot the pretty lightweight Nike bicycle shoe of 390 gram and on my right foot my new carbon "sock" of 147 gram. Apart from the perfect fit and the lower weight there's something else I notice: the reduced distance between my foot to the pedal, due to the lower structure. This will be corrected when the lining of my left shoe is ready too.Initially I presumed that I made a much too lightweight basic structure, thinking "strengthening can always be done later". Now I'm sure: below 100 gram at shoe size 47 is also possible and that's rather spectacular. A fully rigid and fitting shoe with the weight of a bar of chocolate. Up till now I've been busy experimenting with a number of locking systems. Milled and lathed little knobs from aluminium and POM (a black kind of nylon). There seems to be a good looking result now, is lightweight and also functions well, because one demand was and is that you can close the shoe with two fingers. Another advantage is that you need minimal force to close the shoe because of the optimal fit. At the next set of shoes even more attention will go to the ventilation. This will also contribute to keeping the shoes below 100 gram, because more mesh material and less carbon/kevlar will be applied. | ||
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These shoes are made for cycling |
March 11th, 2014 | |
At last these fit and only 145 grammes in size 47 | ||
) Ideas are often swiftly made, actually implementing them is from a different orderOne of the last winter-stop projects was making cycling shoes that are both light and comfortable. I was confronted for a long time with cold and numb feet as the result of pinching. There's a selection of custom made footwear, but these are not available nearby and, although justified, not low priced. There is also a range of so-called "moldable" shoes, but the deformable part is limited solely to the unnecessarily thick sole portion and offers little solace, especially for broad feet. In my case the width difference with a standard bicycle shoe was up to 25 mm! Not surprising that your feet get numb or cold... So make it a do it yourself project? It is important to get molds from your feet under pressure and in a position/angle that matches your riding position. In my case I used a high quality gypsum used for casting . After sanding with grain 800 I made epoxy/glass molds in which the product parts were produced with wet laminate. Prepreg was a possibility too, but then an autoclave would be most suitable: heat, pressure and vacuum. A product can't be produced more perfect. However, the shoes will now weigh around 145-155 grams, which is only a third of a standard size 47 shoe. But the biggest advantage: once you slide your feet in them, there's the immediate and ultimate recognition "For your feet only" ! During the forthcoming period much time will be invested in modifications, improvements and innovations for clasp types, vents, protective heels etc. But this is a good start. To be continued ! | ||
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New carbon rear carriers ready to go! |
February 28th, 2014 | |
) Our "Made in Middelburg" carbon rear carriers are now available for sale at 79 Euro. | ||
Duo M-Racing in Japan |
February 5th, 2014 | |
Kazuo Miyakawa with daughter on self assembled M5 M-Racer | ||
) Definitely a deja-vu for me: by the same method my first Greyhound "Shatci" hitched a ride during fast descends in the Italian Dolomites. | ||
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VIKINGTOUR 2014 NORWAY by Bram Moens |
January 17th, 2014 | |
Participate in the ultimate mountain race! | ||
) In 2006 I considered the Viking Tour of that year to be my "final race". This decision was boosted by the following: an 18-year old which finished just behind me only had to, so to speak, take a shower to recover from the effort. I myself felt the mountain trial still in my legs the next morning. I had one excuse: a large generation gap.Anyway, it's 2014 now and the plan has been conceived to do the amazingly beautiful Viking Tour event once more, but fortunately with the participation of younger M5 CHR users! Up till now four persons will definitely attend, but if other recumbent riders feel drawn, I'll say: subscribe! At the moment there are still around 80 starting places available. A light weight recumbent and good shape are surely going to help you during this tough race. Make sure to check the route on the site of the 2014 edition of the Viking Tour. | ||
What other useful stuff is possible in carbon? |
January 13th, 2014 | |
A long version shoehorn for the rest of your life .... | ||
) For me as a hernia patient it's a kind of a must .... Such a trivial product which is called a shoehorn but:Or they nodded after a period of time (steel) Or they just tore (plastic) So in a few lost hours a simple tooling was made to create a large size (60 cm) shoehorn and never again nodding, tearing and hassle! | ||
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New website online showing Bram's images, drawings and some more |
January 8th, 2014 | |
 From very close to very far away and everything in between. Enjoy!Bram Moens | ||
Very light weight "carrier/fender" developed for M5 CHR and M5 M-Racer models. |
December 25th, 2013 | |
And probably as well for other types and brands.... | ||
) The first of several new products to be released this winter: a lightweight carrier/fender. Due to the use of carbon and kevlar, this product is virtually indestructible. The weight is a mere 125 grams (4.4 ounces) and it can carry an M5 17-litre Top Bag easily. Apart from its carrier qualities, it also functions very well as a fender. It is directly mounted to the seat with four M5 bolts and nuts.Pricing will be announced in late January 2014 | ||
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Convenient alu/pom brackets for bike computer or GPS. |
November 22nd, 2013 | |
) We already did test riding for some time and it proved to be handy: the bike computer and/or GPS below the handle bar instead of on top of it. Improves view and the placement of the hands can remain freely on top of the handle bar. Available in three different lengths (40, 60 and 80 mm) and the brackets are black anodised. Price of the small aluminium "banana" and POM bracket is € 10,- (outside EC) | ||
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M5 celebrates 30th anniversary this month... |
November 19th, 2013 | |
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