Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

also means you're wearing a very stiff boot in which, maybe, you can't move your loes around. This is one thing that Dino Signori, the head of the company in Italy, won't change. He thinks protection comes first. But, as far as we can determ:inc, the primary cause of the Full Bore's inflexibility, both to your fOOL and on·rushing rocks, is steel. There is a steel plate about an inch wide inserted between the lengths of the second and third soles of the boot. This steel plate keeps your fOOL from going "mon key claw" around the footpe when you're up on the pegs and takes most of the impact on the boot in this position, It also keeps tbe finishing nails in the boot from being driveTl up through.the inner sale, our only real criticism of the Hercules boot. But there's no way your foot is going to make a steel plate flexible without any leverage advantage. The manufacturer is determined to keep it this way. Mr. Signori feeJs that keeping the boot rigid avoids twisted ank.les and stone bruises on the less protected sides of the foot. It also takes a while (not really 'til they're worn out) be r0 re the boots begin to feel comfortable. Despite initial discomfort, the reason Fun Bores have sold so well in the U.S. is that they do provide good protection. The ribbed, padded fran t, triple sole and sleel plate and thick, unbending leather really do keep your foot and shin from absorbing the worst impacts of competition riding. The ISDT model even incorporates a steel toe cap such as European coal miners have built into their boots. The motocross model does not have the steel loe cap. (This translates asJoel Robert doesn't like. the feeL) The third, outer, sale of the motocross boot has been progressively kicked up in fronl and thickened, to slide over or absorb terrain irregularities on a motocross course. This same sole encompasses the steel plate, mentioned earlier. With all !,hese thicknesses, triple sales, steel plates and ba k leather, the manufacturer has stilJ managed to reduce the weight by almost half a, pound on the new models (looking at a size 10 boot). Another factor in 'the building of a Full Bore boot. that is both a strength and a paten tial weakness is that they are really hand·made. If the individual takes pride in his workmanship and aLlen lion to detail, t1ie result is a superior boot. If he or she doesn't, you can get shoddy assembly and production. Most of those involved in Full Bore building, to t:heir credi t. seemed to follow the old Jtalian tradition of careful craftmanship, but maybe someday, someone won't. Dino Signori runs a taut ship, though, and doesn't tolerate much slack. As the major employer in the small town of Maser, it's an affordabJe altitude. Rudi Barbazza is the fuJi· time motocross contact for the manufacturer and can be seen wandering ahoul. most Grands Prix handing out stickies and asking for rider feedback on boot ....................•.....•..•........ construction and function. This method seems to work. Whether we have GP rider comments or the reaction of Joe Average, you the boot·buying dirt rider, to thank for the improve men ts is hard to say. But Full Bores' manufa turer has responded to consumer criticism of their product and improved il. It's still a stiff boot but the interior padding has been made softer to confonn to tht> foot. It's stiJJ a boot that requires geuing used to but it's no\'\' much easjer to get on and off without leaving the buckle straps dangling - or the buckles bent. Keep those cards and letters coming in. This manufacturer does respond to constructive criticism of the product and that is a healthy sign - even if the original thinking did come from the Sidi ski boot in the design. Their boot is better for the rider now than when originally tested and that's good. Next we'll lake a 'Io·ok. at the improved, beefed·up Torsten Hallman boot (deemed fit for bedroom slippers in the original Cycle News Boot Test) and a motocross boot that does look like a high.top ski boot. They do care about the racer's feet at the European booteries. How else are you going to hrake and change gears? And, realistically, Full Bores aren't really worn out by lhe time lhey're broken in. Jr, maybe, just. seems that way. One final factory lip: if your FuJI Bores are too stiff, soak th.em in alcohol for an hour. When they dry, they're soft. ':l\\.t~t~i~N\~\O"t\\NA..9.~\)\\\'t.~wt S(NO ~ocrD" 1"'OIl''',fIO.. Isasson, I ,,~\'821 "'MHU~M '"V " 1 M .... en - U

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