There’s a growing carbon fiber trend in performance footwear, and Carbitex has developed the first uniquely flexible carbon fiber technologies. Available in three platforms – CX6, AFX, and DFX – Carbitex has expanded its presence in the cycling market with its flexible carbon fiber materials currently incorporated in the Lake Cycling CX403 road shoe, with future expansion in road cycling in progress. Carbitex flexible carbon fiber composites are lightweight and responsive, so riders experience efficient power transfer, precise control, and increased connection to the pedals. Carbitex is in-market with 12 performance footwear brands like adidas, Lake, Scott Sports, DC, and Mavic in 8 categories, including mountain and road cycling, road and trail running, soccer, and snowboarding.
Companies are using Carbitex’s CX6 for cycling road shoes because it provides the comfort of leather and carbon fiber strength. RBR’s Sheri Rosenbaum posed a few questions to company representatives.
Sheri: Explain what Carbitex CX6 is.
CARBITEX: Our Carbitex CX6 technology is an exceptionally flexible carbon fiber textile, with no-stretch and high strength-to-weight ratio attributes. Our CX6 is designed to respond to the user by increasing efficiency through maximizing power transfer and support while remaining lightweight.
Sheri: How is it used to manufacture the uppers of a cycling shoe?
CARBITEX: Working closely with the Design and Development members of our Brand Partner product development teams, our Carbitex development support team helps guide the integration of our CX6 technology in a way that provides the most value. This includes collectively defining the needs of the athlete, which can be different depending on the end-use case of each specific footwear model. Functionally, our CX6 fits easily into the standard footwear construction methods used by many cycling and other footwear creators.
Sheri: What are key characteristics of CX6 as it relates to cycling performance?
CARBITEX: Our Brand Partners use our Carbitex CX6 specifically in the zones of their footwear where they want to provide immediate power transfer and support for an efficient connection between the athlete and the platform of their footwear. This can vary depending on footwear model and athlete needs, which is why you will see our CX6 technology integrated in many different configurations, even within one Brand Partner’s product line.
Sheri: Which cycling brands use CX6 in the construction of their shoes?
CARBITEX: Our Brand Partners who currently have models on-market with integrated CX6 technology are Scott and Lake. Scott currently incorporates CX6 into 6 shoe models – 3 road cycling shoes and 3 mountain biking. And Lake incorporates it into their top-tier CX403 road cycling shoe.
Sheri: How does Lake incorporate CX6 into their CX403 model?
CARBITEX: Lake integrates our CX6 technology on the medial and lateral sides to create an efficient and supportive wrap around the foot. Specifically, on the medial side, our CX6 technology is integrated in a supportive panel that creates a strong connection between the foot and sole of the shoe.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.
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