Have you ever wondered “Why would I want cycling shoes? It’s just another product to over complicate the process of riding a bike. I mean shoes are shoes, right?” The answer is that not all shoes are created for the same function. But to better understand why, we need to understand pedals.
A brief history of bike pedals:
A traditional toeclip and strap
When pedals were new, people that were riding bikes at speed found a need for keeping their feet attached to the bike. The toe clip was the preferred way to stay attached to the bike until “clipless” pedals came onto the scene in the 80′s. Toe clips are attached to a pedal, sometimes called cages or baskets, and can be adjusted by tightening or loosening a strap on the clip.
Clipless pedals use a metal or plastic cleat bolted to the sole of the shoe. The cleat interfaces with the spring loaded engagement of the clipless pedal and provides a secure attachment and an easier way to get in and out of the pedals. Some pedals have adjustable spring tension that adjusts the amount of force needed to get in or out of the pedals.
A clipless pedal
Whether you ride a bike with toe clips or clipless pedals your choice of shoes can make a big difference in your comfort and efficiency on the bike. The surface area of a pedal is a small part of your shoe’s “footprint.” If the sole of the shoe is flexible like a running shoe, as you apply power to the pedal the arches of your feet work hard to not curl around the pedal. This can cause strain and lead to soreness. Cycling shoes vary in sole stiffness, but they are all a lot stiffer than usual street shoes. The sole stiffness in effect increases the surface area of the pedal, providing a bigger platform for the foot to push down. This decreases the work your foot has to do and reduces strain.
On the highest end of performance shoes are heat molded models that are custom fitted and shaped to your foot using a special oven. If you have issues with shoes that don’t fit right, these are a great option. We also have cyclesole custom foot beds that can be custom fitted to you. Our trained fit services pros use these tools to help guide you to a pain free riding experience.
If you have issues with foot pain, or are just interested in making the riding experience more efficient, try some cycling shoes on for size!
6 Comments
Thanks for the write-up.
One question: Suppose I bike to the store to do a bit of shopping. If I have bike shoes, can I walk around the store in them, or do I need to switch to regular shoes?
David,
If you expect to do a fair amount of walking, it would be best to look at shoes that have recessed SPD style cleats. The interface with the pedal is tucked away in the sole of the shoe, allowing you to walk easily. The other option, clipless road pedals usually use plastic cleats that are not recessed, are slippery to walk on, and will wear out much faster. If this is what you have, carrying spare shoes might be a good option.
Well, who makes a good recessed shoe? I’ve had some MTB shoes that weighed a ton. My last pair, Adidas, broke the main strap after a year?! Since we’re talking about commute style riding, who makes a decent shoe that’s comfortable AND lasts longer than a year?
Hey David,
We’ve had really good luck with Shimano’s shoes. And I’d add that a complicated shoe (buckles) is more likely to give you problems. A nice basic model like the MT-22 is as comfortable as any casual cycling shoe and the simple lace up allows for a good fit of a variety of instep shapes. If you prefer a shoe with a Velcro strap to keep laces out of the way, try Specialized’s Tahoe. The warranty on shoes is typically one year, but if it is clear that the problem is due to a defect, our vendors will back us up in replacing them within a reasonable time frame. Hope that helps!
I bought some pearl Izumi mtb shoes on sale @ ll bean . I have no pedals yet. How do I know what type of pedals to get?
Mike,
If they are Mountain Bike shoes, you can use any SPD compatible pedal. If you are unsure, bring them into the store and our sales staff can confirm.