Head of testing

Q36.5’s head of testing Mario Kummer explains the development process behind the new unique pro shoes.

Mario Kummer is Q36.5’s Official Head of Testing. This important, unique, position is not a random coincidence but the results decades and decades of meticulous attention to technical detail, first as professional cyclist later as a coach and sports director, honing what the Germans call Fingerspitzengefühl; a heightened sensibility to the feeling of technical equipment and an ability to translate this into valid technical suggestions…

We sat down with him this week to get another perspective on the unique characteristics – and development story – of the new Q36.5 Unique Pro shoes…

Can you remember what objectives you discussed with Luigi Bergamo for the Unique Pro, before even a prototype was made?

There were a few, but the sole played a very important role. We wanted a very flat yet stiff sole to ensure a short distance to the pedal axle and optimal power transfer. Fit, weight, and ventilation were also crucial.

How was the first prototype? What were the characteristics that immediately defined the new shoe?

I immediately liked the design of the first prototype — modern, simple, and very technical. I love that. The newly developed sole was a real eye-catcher. During the initial tests, I noticed that the wider forefoot area provided more space and comfort, and that I felt even more firmly planted on the pedals. The sock-like construction of the shoe won me over right away. Even without tightening the BOA closures, my foot already had excellent hold inside the shoe.

There were 15 different prototypes in the development of this shoe. What was the most difficult thing to perfect? What were the details that led to the necessity of a further prototype time after time?

The biggest challenge was achieving the perfect fit. We tried a variety of approaches — feet can vary greatly. Several changes were incorporated into each prototype. For example, by adjusting the toe cap shape, we created more space and comfort in the forefoot area. The interaction between the BOA closures and the heel counter is crucial for a secure fit with maximum power transfer. We spent a long time experimenting with the correct positioning. Another goal was to avoid any pressure points.

Can you see a “fil rouge” between all the different Q36.5 products and the Unique shoes? What is this fil rouge?

The common thread is easy to identify: it’s the demand for high functionality in all products without neglecting design.
They are developed to meet a variety of athletic goals. When you put them on, they must fit like a second skin. They need to breathe and regulate body temperature — keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter. Our products must be so light that you barely notice them. And of course, the design should always be pleasing. All products are sustainably produced, and partly made from recycled or reusable materials.

What is your favourite characteristic of the final Unique Pro shoe?

There are several features I love about the UNIQUE PRO shoes, but the fit is the most decisive for me. I like when I put the shoe on and it fits perfectly without needing to tighten the laces. There are no pressure points at all. I also love the low weight and the high stability and stiffness of the sole — it gives me perfect footing on the pedals.

How would you describe – in one sentence only – the Unique Pro shoe to a prospective customer?

Pure high-end, developed for the highest demands. It lets you transfer your power to the road without any loss.

What kind of improvements to their riding experience should the cyclist buying the Unique Pro expect?

You can immediately feel the firm stance on the pedals with the shortest distance to the pedal axle for even more direct power transmission, plus the low weight, optimal ventilation and, last but not least, the excellent fit. It wears like a sock, you hardly notice it.

Who is the cyclist with the greatest technical sensibility you ever encountered in your career?

Choosing is truly difficult, as there are so many. Most pros strive to use the best equipment and actively seek out products that offer even the smallest advantages. Just watching the current Tour de France reveals many different philosophies and individual tweaks to clothing and materials — including Alaphilippe grabbing a spectator’s poster at the summit to tuck under his jersey as a windbreak for the descent. We could have offered him a better solution.

As Q36.5’s head of testing what was the most difficult product to work on?

Definitely the Unique Pro shoes. The development process took the longest. There are probably few things more individual than a rider’s feet, which made the range of requirements especially broad. Changes couldn’t be implemented overnight — they had to wait for the next production run. That was a major challenge for everyone involved.

What is your favourite ever Q36.5 item?

It’s really difficult to pick just one favorite, but I’d go with the Dottore Pro bib shorts.
They’ve become my go-to because they fit me extremely well, are very lightweight, have well-placed padding, offer light muscle support thanks to their compression, and dry very quickly.

Unique Pro Road Shoes Black

Color: Black | Shoe Size: 37

Engineered for total control, the Q36.5 Unique Pro Shoes use proprietary Italian manufacturing technologies to achieve a new level of stability, power, and comfort for riders, allowing you to push yourself to the limit with a renewed level of confidence. At the heart of the shoe’s superior performance is a market-leading 4.4mm stack height. The artisanal carbon fiber sole is made in Montebelluna using a patent-pending layup. The outsole also features an extra wide metatarsal area for guaranteed comfort across different foot sizes and a cupped heel for increased stability. A signature of all Q36.5’s racing shoes, the Unique Pro Shoes feature no tongue but rather use a proprietary mesh panel across the bridge of the foot in order to maximize the shoes’ cooling effect. No other racing shoe on the market offers such a large and effective ventilating surface, representing an additional example of our commitment to thermoregulation as the new frontier for performance gains as well as rider comfort and health.

Variants from €0.00

€554.51

Dottore PRO Bib Shorts Black

Color: Black | Size: M

The Q36.5 Dottore Pro Bib Shorts for Men are the world’s leading high performance woven bib shorts, using technologies pioneered by Q36.5 and continuously refined over the last ten years. From the very first pedal stroke, riders will appreciate a feeling of superior muscular support, comfort, and on-the-bike stability. This unique feeling is achieved through the use of four different proprietary woven fabrics as well as our patented Q LAB Air Chamois, which provides total comfort and superior moisture management. The use of a high-density woven material with gradual compression along the leg panels in particular ensures a superior alignment of muscle fibers during the repetitive action of lengthening and contracting the legs, creating an important performance advantage over long distances. The Silver yarn found in the leg panels reduces the negative impact of naturally occurring electric charges produced by the body during exercise as well as boosting the blood flow and increases oxygen supply to cells.

Variants from €0.00

€252.05

Dottore PRO Jersey Grisaille Blue

Color: Grisaille Blue | Size: M

The Q36.5 Dottore Pro Cycling Jersey for Men is a jersey for design purists, with a unique sleeve cut that entirely eliminates the use of shoulder seams creating a perfect on-the-bike fit. Constructed from a 3D-woven fabric with silver thread, the jersey offers superior thermoregulation and ultra-fast drying times. The texture of the fabric is aero-optimized, providing the greatest advantage to riders at speeds between 40 and 59km/h.

Variants from €0.00

€181.47

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