CYCLING SHOES

The right equipment not only makes your ride more comfortable, it makes it safe. Make sure you start every class with a full water bottle, a towel and though cycling shoes are not mandatory I strongly recommend them. If you’re new to indoor cycling you may find you need extra padding on the saddle until you build up a tolerance for it. Gel seats that fit over the top of the bike saddles can by purchased at most department, athletic or bicycle stores.

Cycling shoes have many benefits. The main advantage of a cycling shoe over a running shoe or cross trainer is the stiff sole. The shoe’s rigid sole and snug fit provide a more efficient pedal stroke and minimize foot fatigue. Laces and Velcro straps improve the upward motion of your pedal stroke; by reducing foot movement, these features provide extra stability. Cycling shoes also allow you to clip into the bike pedals, which helps engage more leg muscles for balanced toning and strengthening.

To keep your feet dry and comfortable, moisture-wicking and breathable fabrics are a must. Also, make sure to look for cycling shoes with a recessed cleat or SPD® (Shimano Pedaling Dynamics) system to make walking before and after cycling class safe and easy. Cycling shoes are available in a variety of styles and price ranges at most bicycle specialty shops--a few shops are listed below and online. They are not available at sporting goods stores like Sportmart or Big 5.

PICKING A CYCLING SHOE 

The human foot has 19 muscles, 20 tendons,

26 bones, 33 joints and 119 ligaments. 

Keep a few things in mind when shopping for a shoe to buy whether online or from a bike shop: The best shoe is one that fits your foot so ALWAYS try it on first. You’re probably used to buying running shoes with a full thumb’s width of room at the end of the shoe. In a cycling shoe where there’s no impact, you can get by with less room. Your cycling shoe should feel like it’s comfortably hugging your foot in the arch area and across the ball of your foot. Make sure you can wiggle your toes and there is no uncomfortable pressure on the tops or sides of your toes. Don’t forget, many people’s feet swell when they ride. If you are experiencing any numbness in your feet at the end of the ride, make sure to loosen the buckles or straps on your shoe about 20 minutes into your class. (Numbness in your feet can also be caused by a problem with your saddle.) Some shoes come in different widths. If you normally buy a wide running shoe, make sure to look for a wide cycling shoe.

Other factors that may affect the sizing of your shoes: Do you have a high arch or use an orthotic in your cycling shoe? You may want to go with a wide size to give you more room. Women can try the men’s size to get more room for an orthotic. Also, if you have proportionately longer feet and shorter toes, you may want to go up a half size to get the arch of the shoe in the correct place for your feet.

Go to a bike shop and get advice from a salesperson regarding proper fit. Try on a bunch of shoes until you find one that fits then you can shop around for that shoe at a better price online. A new cycle shoe does not come with the cleat already attached so if you decide to buy online you'll need to know if the shoe is being sold with the pedal cleat and/or cleat pods. If not, you'll need to purchase this separately and put it on and adjust it yourself. If you buy the shoes and cleat from a bike shop they will put it on and adjust it for you at no additional charge. If you purchase the shoes and cleats separately elsewhere a bike shop may charge a fee to do this. Some shoes run wider, others more narrow, some have a high cup, others lower...they are all different so take the time to find the right shoe for you. You may also want to consider purchasing a mountain bike shoe. A road bike shoe is smooth (and can be slippery) on the bottom and a mountain bike shoe is not which makes it easier and safer to walk in.

All cycling shoes feature cleat pods, a small area on the shoe sole where you can attach a pedal cleat. When you purchase a pair of clipless bike pedals, they are sold with accompanying cleats that clip into the pedals to create a secure fit. The pedal design you need to buy for indoor cycling classes is called SPD, (Shimano Pedal Design) which is the most versatile pedal you can purchase. If you are buying shoes from a bike shop, always ask if they will include the cleats and install them for you at no charge. It’s easy to get the hang of clipless pedals and once you do, you’ll never go back.

Performance Bicycle