Marginal gains for major improvements: A user-centered cycling shoe to increase performance for elite short-course triathletes

Abstract

The domain of triathlon seems promising for Cadomotus, a company specialising in helmets, bags, and shoes. Right now, they are known for high-end ice-skating equipment, but the triathlon market seems a great fit and they want to expand further there. A new triathlon specific product would solidify Cadomotus in the market as truly understanding triathletes’ desires and demands.

A user-centered design process was used, meaning that athletes were involved in every crucial step. A double diamond design process was used. The results of the discovery phase were synthesised into a user-journey with 23 different design opportunities. Together with the company and users these were narrowed down to one design brief.

A creative session started the developing phase. Here four different concepts were generated, prototyped and evaluated. One of them was chosen for further development in the delivery phase. The delivery phase consisted of an iterative process going from paper to high-fidelity prototypes. This concept was put through a final usage evaluation, and its insights led to the Talaria. A new triathlon specific cycling shoe.

The reaction of users to the design was mostly positive. “I dare to say that I have almost mastered this element of transitioning and then directly getting into cycling, but this would work even quicker” - Sem.

The Talaria addresses two concrete needs: getting in and out quicker and stop the shoe from spinning during the second transition. The quicker athletes can get in or out of shoes, the better they can perform during their race. Especially in elite short-course racing this is vital. The spinning shoes are a phenomenon where the shoe hits the ground and starts spinning, which in turn can cause the bike to ‘jump’, creating stress and a potentially unsafe situation.