Fetch Fell Runners

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rf_fozzy Nov 2019 1:15pm, 14 Nov 2019 9,250 posts	0 rf_fozzy I was planning on HvC then night O at Ripon. Then I rolled my ankle (again) off the edge of a curb last night and it's a bit sore. No running tonight or tomorrow and then will assess on Sat. Had just thought I was making progress with it..... Think the night O will happen anyway as I need the points.
Northern Exile Nov 2019 1:21pm, 14 Nov 2019 5,606 posts	0 Northern Exile Anyone seen that Inov8 started their marketing campaign for the X-Talon 235 this morning? It's got graphene in the sole. A bit of crafty insider-dealing tells me that sadly, this won't be in a standard fit but in Inov-8 speak is a 4/5, so wider than a 212/230. I was given a box full of small size ex-demo 230s for our juniors and nearly all of them say they're too tight, I think it's the DWR fabric - it's just doesn't "give" like most fell shoes do. Saying that, I'm struggling to get them back .... they're meant to be loans and to be returned when they grow out of them.
rf_fozzy Nov 2019 1:27pm, 14 Nov 2019 9,251 posts	0 rf_fozzy As a materials scientist. And talking to other runners in the materials science community, we aren't sure what the "Graphene" (spoiler it won't be true graphene - it's more likely to be slightly graphenic graphite....) actually does. If, as Inov8 claim, it improves grip on rock (i.e. makes them more "sticky"), then we reckon that this will cause them to wear faster than the non-"graphene" versions.
Northern Exile Nov 2019 1:30pm, 14 Nov 2019 5,607 posts	0 Northern Exile Interesting. I'm not sure either and I'm in no way of a scientific mein*. Personally, if the sole lasts longer and has more or less the same grip, I'm in .... but I see your point completely and am sceptical.
rf_fozzy Nov 2019 1:38pm, 14 Nov 2019 9,252 posts	0 rf_fozzy Well, in theory, the addition of a stiffer material into the rubber sole should make the whole composite sole stiffer and last longer. But, it depends on the amount of "Graphene" they put in, how they do the processing etc etc. Basic theory is rule of mixtures: Ecomposite = (ErubberVrubber)+(EgraphVgraph) Where E = stiffness (Young's modulus) and V = volume fraction (i.e. what % of the composite is each bit). So if they're putting in less than 10%, I suspect the effect is negligible!
Dave A Nov 2019 1:47pm, 14 Nov 2019 22,274 posts	0 Dave A I think Baildon was one of the last XC I did for Dewsbury Road Runners. Really good and tough ‘XC’ 😉 course. The fact I beAt a sub 2:45 marathoner would suggest it wasn’t XC.
flanker Nov 2019 2:16pm, 14 Nov 2019 18,752 posts	0 flanker It's not part of the XC league (thankfully!) and having had a look at the website it seems to be just a wiggly lap around Baildon moor. I hated my 230 talons - they were just wrong; all thin and long, and inflexible. After about 80 miles (basically Fellsman) the studs were showing real wear. NE - are you saying the G230 will be a 4/5 last, or that it will be less than that? (200 is a 4 and the 260 a 5)?
Northern Exile Nov 2019 2:29pm, 14 Nov 2019 5,608 posts	0 Northern Exile That's all the info I have. Maybe somewhere between the two? I will try and clarify, am getting a test pair to try shortly.
Northern Exile Nov 2019 2:30pm, 14 Nov 2019 5,609 posts	0 Northern Exile OK, apparently they're wider than the 212 but "still a precision fit". Forget the 4/5 thing.
flanker Nov 2019 2:53pm, 14 Nov 2019 18,753 posts	0 flanker Shame. Although with the usual variation in inov-8's "sizing" what it says on the box is no guarantee of what's inside it anyway!