Michelin Soles created the perfect solution for mountain biking lovers: the “Carbon Rubber”. The rubber sculptures of these innovative soles are inserted directly onto a rigid plate in carbon fibre, which ensures excellent durability, stability and adherence.
Here are the brands which implemented the “Carbon Rubber” solution. Michelin and its partners gave life to soles with a unique tread design and compound, according to the formula “Fit for Use”.

DMT DM1 WITH MICHELIN SOLE: THE PERFECT MOUNTAIN BIKING FOOTWEAR

Adrenaline, agonism, sweat. Mountain biking experts – professionals or amateurs – know the best parts of a competition very well. They also know that, to meet performance targets, they need high quality equipment. Shoes, for example, have to be reliable and high-performing. That is why the Italian company Diamant, with its DMT brand, decided to turn to Michelin’s team of experts to create a personalised, unique sole, designed to meet the needs of mountain bikers. The result? A footwear which combines resistance, traction and stability with an incredibly secure fit, optimal for both cross-country competitions and marathons races.
Michelin’s team of experts, together with DMT’s research and development department, created a sole inspired by the rally tyre Michelin Latitude C. The treads and grooves present on the tyre have been carved on the DM1 Michelin sole to maximise performance. Sometimes bikers have to put one foot on the ground to push through the toughest climbs, which is why the tip of the sole offers reliable traction and protects the foot, while lateral sculptures and the others one under the arch support ensure stability. DM1 Michelin is the ultimate sole to face uneven terrain, with a compound which combines performance and abrasion resistance. The Dual Layer Compound Technology guarantees longer durability and better adherence. The shoe is equipped with the BOA® system, which makes it easy and quick to wear. The upper shoe is thin and light, with a front strap hold foot, a perfect fit even for the thinnest foot. The perforated venting system ensures transpiration, and the printed toe provides wear-resistance. Recommended retail price: Euro 279.00

GAERNE AND MICHELIN, ON PEDALS WITHOUT COMPROMISE

Those who take part in cross country competitions, or even practice at high levels, aim to get the maximum performance and this can only be achieved by wearing footwear with a sole that can offer good traction for the walking section of the race, and a robust structure that guarantees longer durability. Gaerne technology, coupled with the know-how of Michelin’s designers and technicians, created a new line of shoes equipped with a Michelin sole.

The end result: the right mix of support and lightness in the Carbon G_Sincro + and the G_Sincro + shoes. To create this new outsole, Michelin designers were inspired by the performance of the Michelin XM 27, a tyre dedicated to industrial and agricultural vehicles for its wide contact surface, good ground penetration in all terrain and robust shoulders for great durability. The design of the new Michelin sole recalls the features of this tyre, starting from robust sculptures in the heel, while the sculptures in the forefoot offer support and traction. The wide distance between the different sculptures provide greater self-cleaning, helping to instantly dislodge mud. The tread design is made with outdoor rubber compound, specifically developed for the bike world, which combines performance and abrasion resistance even in extreme conditions. For the most aggressive riders, there are two slots in the tip, made for inserting the sculptures; it’s screwable and replaceable in different colors. Carbon G_Sincro + model is equipped with Michelin EPS Light Weight Carbon Fiber MTB Sole with a carbon insert, while the G_Sincro + are equipped with Michelin Carbon Power MTB Soles.

NORTHWAVE AND MICHELIN: CROSS COUNTRY ELITE SHOES

Bikers know the right shoes are the first step towards a successful MTB ride. They need footwear that not only performs well while riding, but also provides the necessary grip when they’re off the bike pushing. Based on these considerations Northwave has expanded its cross country footwear collection with the new Ghost XC equipped with patented XFrame® technology and Michelin rubber outsole for advanced pedal and ground control. The exclusive sole, already used in a previous Northwave model to meet the same requirements, draws inspiration from the Michelin Wild Race’R mountain bike tyre: a tread with high grip on any type of ground and shoulder design formulated to ensure progressive lateral adherence. The Ghost XC equipped with Michelin Hyperlight XC sole and developed in close collaboration with Northwave, features rubber sculptures laminated in rigid unidirectional carbon fiber, made with the innovative dual layer compound technology. This type of double layer construction allows for increased durability, stability and adherence.

SHIMANO XC9: THE ULTIMATE IN OFF-ROAD POWER TRANSMISSION AND LIGHTWEIGHT EFFICIENCY.

Road-shoe fast meets mountain-shoe rugged. Finally, off-road shoes deliver pro performance in the dirt. XC9 is packed with engineering innovations that improve fit, maximize power transfer and perform in raw conditions. You stay focused on rolling over roots, straddling streams or bunny-hopping barriers. These shoes have got your back while they cradle your feet.

• A one-piece surround upper, narrow bottom, rounded heel and slim toe box provide a glove-like fit.
• Extra-range BOA microadjusters with instant release spools.
• Asymmetric eyestay pattern prevents twisting of foot under high-power pedaling.
• Low stack-height helps stabilize foot during the downward pedaling stroke.
• Optional extra-long climbing spikes for cyclocross and wet condition applications.
• Specific design to improve adherence on pedals.
• Proprietary Michelin outsole minimizes weight, and offers increased traction.
• External curved heel cup construction suppresses foot twist and roll, stabilizes the heel and holds your foot firmly in place.

INFO: Michelin Soles