Technology - Carbon Fiber

Ever wondered what Carbon Fiber is? For instance, is it Carbon Fiber or Carbon Fibre? To clarify, Fibre and Fiber have the same meaning. Fibre is the British English spelling, while Fiber is the US English spelling.

Carbon Fiber is a revolutionary material. It is as strong as steel with a fraction of the weight.

Carbon Fiber consists of mainly bonded carbon atoms. For example, the fibers’ long axis consists of particles that have been bonded together and aligned. Following this, a yarn is created by twisting several thousand of the threads together. Finally, a piece of fabric is woven from the yarn.

Here at Bont, we have been producing carbon-based boots since 1989. Above all and most importantly, we source our carbon exclusively from the world’s number one carbon manufacturer, Toray of Japan.

Carbon Fiber 3K PLAIN

3K PLAIN


3k plain is a tightly woven carbon, which is commonly used in the Aircraft industry and Bont shoes.

Carbon Fiber Unidirectional

UNIDIRECTIONAL


An extremely stiff, lightweight, and adaptive carbon fiber. We use Unidirectional Carbon in our boots, which allows us to lay the carbon in a direction we choose. Therefore provide extremely stiff and lightweight boots. For example the Vaypor.

Carbon Fiber 12K PLAIN

12K PLAIN


A cheaper form of carbon. 12K Plain carbon is not as strong as 3k Plain carbon, which results in the price being around 20% cheaper.

INDUSTRY MISREPRESENTATION

In the old days, if you purchased a plastic or nylon based shoe, you knew what you were getting. However, nowadays, with all of the expensive modern materials, it is getting harder to identify what is in your product. As a result, you may not be getting what you thought you purchased.

Here are some handy tips on different ways manufacturers use materials. That is to say, use these points for consideration in your next purchase.


One layer of carbon
Often, manufacturers misrepresent carbon shoes. For example, the shoe base can be an injection-molded plastic, or nylon, or fiberglass base and usually covered with a single layer of carbon fiber. Unfortunately, when you buy a shoe, and you see that it has a carbon base, the chances are that only the outer layer is carbon.

Unidirectional carbon
A variety of shoes are marketed as Unidirectional carbon. However, many of these shoes use injection molded carbon in the plastic and call this Unidirectional Carbon. Consequently, we feel this is a misuse of the terminology. For example, here at Bont, Unidirectional Carbon means carbon fiber, where all of the strands travel in the same direction.

Silver fiberglass
Many shoes use a plastic injection molded base with some carbon particles in it. Also, these shoes typically have a single layer of silver fiberglass for the outer layer. As such, manufacturers advertise ‘carbon fiber’ for these shoes. They are allowed to use this term as there is carbon dust in the plastic mold under the outer fiberglass layer. However, the fiberglass woven material on the outside is not carbon. Above all, remember Carbon Fiber is always black.

100% composite
What is 100% composite? This term almost covers anything. Therefore, the question you need to ask when considering a composite boot is, A composite of what? In short, a composite boot is usually a nylon fiberglass composite.

Monocoque
A Monocoque shoe is where the carbon is directly laminated onto the liner. Unfortunately, some companies are calling a carbon shell with an integrated heel cup a Monocoque shoe; however, it isn’t.

In summary, be aware of companies jumping on the bandwagon of carbon technology and using keywords to promote their product. Above all, do your research and be mindful of what you are purchasing. We hope this helps your decision in your carbon boot purchase.

General Cycling FAQ

What is the difference between enduro and DH?

Enduro and downhill (DH) are two mountain bike disciplines which, although having similarities, differ mainly in their race formats, course types, and technical requirements.

Enduro consists of several timed stages (usually downhills) interspersed with untimed sections (often uphill or on flat ground) that riders must complete within a set time.

DH is a pure speed discipline where riders descend a specific course as quickly as possible. Each runner does several attempts on the same course and the final race usually consists of a single timed run.

Enduro bikes are designed to be versatile, with more front and rear suspension than cross-country bikes, but generally less travel than DH bikes. They are built to be efficient uphill and efficient downhill.

DH bikes are designed for downhill riding only, with long-travel suspension, reinforced frames, wide tires and powerful brakes. They are heavy and not suitable for climbing.

What is the difference between a gravel bike and a road bike?

Gravel bikes and road bikes are both designed to ride on paved surfaces, but they have significant differences in design and functionality, tailored to specific uses.

Gravel bike
  • Designed for : Mixed terrain (dirt roads, gravel, trails).
  • Tires : Wider (35-50 mm) with studs.
  • Geometry : More relaxed and comfortable.
  • Brakes : Disc brakes for better stopping power.
  • Versatility : Supports for luggage racks and mudguards, suitable for bikepacking.
Road bike
  • Designed for : Paved roads.
  • Tires : Narrower (23-28 mm), smooth.
  • Geometry : More aggressive for aerodynamics.
  • Brakes : Caliper brakes (or disc brakes, increasingly common).
  • Objective : Lightness and performance for speed.

Technical support and guarantees

I have a problem with my product, how can I resolve it?

If there is a problem with your product, contact us directly at +33 5 62 57 95 72 or at info@jms-sports.com . We will quickly provide you with appropriate advice to resolve your problem. If you are not able to carry out the necessary manipulations or do not have the appropriate tools when necessary, no worries! Once we have obtained our agreement, you can go to the workshop and we will cover the labor costs incurred.

What are the warranty conditions for a new bicycle?

Warranties depend on the brand of your product. But in general the warranty on a new product is 2 years.

What regular maintenance should I do on my bike?

Regular maintenance of your bicycle is essential to guarantee its performance, safety and longevity.

Here is a list of maintenance tasks to perform regularly:

  • After each outing : General cleaning and quick inspection.
  • Weekly : Chain lubrication, tire check and brake inspection.
  • Monthly : Deep cleaning, transmission inspection, wheel and cable check.
  • Quarterly : Bearing inspection and suspension check.
  • Annual : Complete service by a professional and replacement of worn parts.

By following this maintenance schedule, you can extend the life of your bike and ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.

Purchasing, shipping and returns

What payment options do you offer?

You can pay by credit card, PayPal or ShopPay.

I would like to pre-order an item, when will I receive it?

For pre-orders, it all depends on your product as well as the brand.

When you order we will inform you of the average delivery times.

If you have any other questions on this subject, you can contact us at the following email address: info@jms-sports.com

I want to cancel my in-stock order or my pre-order, how does it work?

If you wish to cancel your order there is no problem, everything is free. On the other hand, if you have pre-ordered a product you will have to pay a 5% quotation.

If you have any other questions on this subject, you can contact us at the following email address: info@jms-sports.com.

What is the average delivery time?

The average delivery time is 2 to 5 days for standard delivery and 3 to 7 days to relay points.

How much will shipping cost?

Shipping can cost you between €7 and €12 depending on pickup at a relay point or delivery to your home.

For bicycles the price will necessarily be higher given the size of the package.

I realized the bike was damaged right after opening the package.

You must claim damage directly from the delivery person at the time of delivery. If you have not done so, contact us quickly at info@jms-sports.com. Keep the box carefully as it will be useful to us in determining responsibilities.

I want to return a product, how do I do it?

You have 14 days from the date of receipt to return a product. Items must be returned new, unused and in their original packaging. Products returned that do not meet these conditions will not be refunded. If you wish to return an item, please contact us and we will provide you with the necessary instructions.

You will find more information in our refund policy.

Electric bikes

What is the maximum assistance speed of my electric bike?

The maximum assist speed for most e-bikes is 25 km/h.

It all depends of course on the brand of the product and its model.

What is the range of my electric bike?

The range of an electric bicycle depends on several factors, including the motor model, battery capacity, assistance mode used, terrain, weather conditions and the total weight of the rider and cargo.

How long does a battery last?

The lifespan of an e-bike battery depends on many factors, but with proper maintenance and regular use, a battery can typically last between 3 and 5 years before signs of aging appear. To maximize the life of your battery, follow the manufacturer's recommendations and good maintenance practices.

How long does it take to recharge a battery?

The charging time of an e-bike battery varies depending on the battery capacity, the power of the charger and the initial state of charge of the battery. Typically, with a standard charger, you can expect a full charge in 3 to 7 hours, while a fast charger can reduce that time to around 2 to 3 hours. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations to maximize the efficiency and life of your battery.

I lost my drum keys, what should I do?

Your product is delivered with duplicate keys. There is a tracking number engraved on the key, the number is also on a plate attached to the keys. Keep this number carefully, in the event of loss of the keys, we can produce a copy of the keys corresponding to your lock.