The push for insole perfection

Above: The gebioMized team discussing pressure and relief zones of the new insole Bottom right: The different layers being laid out before assembly.

International Bike Fitter catches up with Daniel Schade from gebioMized to discuss their new insoles and the design approach they used.

YOU’VE RECENTLY LAUNCHED GEBIOMIZED PUSH INSOLES. WHAT ARE THEY?

PUSH is gebioMized’s semi-custom insole for cycling shoes developed by bike fitters. It is available in three different versions and 15 sizes to make sure every cyclist can find an insole to match their needs.

SOUNDS COOL, BUT WHY SEMI-CUSTOM INSOLES?

Sometimes less can be more. Our experience from thousands of bike fittings shows that not every cyclist necessarily needs completely custom-made insoles for their cycling shoes. But we’ve also learned that the careful selection of a suitable semi-custom insole provides more stability in the pedalling movement with almost every cyclist. This is why we developed gebioMized PUSH, a semi-custom programme to complement our custom-made products. The main basis is our huge database, with foot pressure data from many cyclists and triathletes — a similar approach to the one we used to design our saddles. PUSH gives bike fitters an edge, especially in their everyday work. After all, there is not only a range of insoles to choose from on site, based on the measurement data, but an effect can be measured by the fitter and felt by the athlete immediately. To provide further support for the selection of the PUSH insole needed by the respective cyclist, we also developed an algorithm-based selector tool.

HOW DID YOU DEVELOP THEM?

It took two years to turn the first idea into the final product. Our development team started by evaluating more than 10,000 data sets gathered in the production process of our custom insoles. This database includes measurements from amateur athletes, as well as from winners of major cycling and triathlon races around the world. As a result, we defined different types of stress and identified the respective support elements. Then we created prototypes using CAD, built them in-house and started running extensive tests. We also used our foot pressure measurement system to check how our prototypes work in real-life conditions, both in the laboratory and outdoors. Based on the results, we revised the models, made new prototypes, and tested them again until we were happy with the objective pressure data and the test riders with how they subjectively felt in their shoes. For the grand development finale, we compared different materials to find the right balance of stability and pressure reduction. This was the birth of the PUSH insole concept; a concept that perfectly complements the knowledge and skill of a bike fitter. After all, biomechanical know-how is indispensable for choosing the right PUSH model. On a side note, we are proud that the whole development and production process is made in Germany, so we feel pretty robust in terms of supply chains here.

SO WHAT INSOLES ARE AVAILABLE?

The core of PUSH consists of three insole versions offering different support categories, e.g., more stability in the shoe for feet with a flat or high arch. The different layers of every insole provide more comfort by reducing pressure peaks, as well as more stability due to a harder mid layer. Pressure reduction areas provide stress relief for the big toe and metatarsal 1 and 5. As an option, bike fitters may customise the PUSH insole quickly and without special accessories by thermoforming. During development, we were even surprised by the extent the insoles improved the pressure distribution in the shoe. Last but not least, all PUSH insoles are available separately for the left and right foot, so that an individual combination for each customer is possible if required.

For more information visit: https://gebiomized.de/en/products/semicustom-einlagen/