If you attend cycling events these days, you will hear sounds unfamiliar to riders of decades before.
As cyclists prepare for the ride, one will hear the clop, clop of cycling shoe cleats against the pavement and the click, click, click of ratchet systems as shoes are tightened around the foot. When riders mount their bikes to leave for the days ride, a crisp metallic snap pierces the air as shoes clip into the pedals.
Cycling shoes and how they are secured to the pedals determine the efficiency of the pedal stroke and the transfer of energy from your feet to the chain, gears and wheels.
In recent years cycling shoes have changed significantly. Initially, road cyclists wore handmade leather shoes with wooden or leather soles. Shoe plates (two metal bars that slotted onto the back plate of the pedal) were nailed to the sole and shoes were secured to pedals with wire or leather straps, commonly called "toe clips."
Upper parts of shoes were made of leather. It was very comfortable but it stretched and hurt the rider's feet where the lacing rubbed on the top of the foot.
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Today, there are three basic types of cycling shoes, each designed for a specific type and intensity of cycling: road shoes, mountain bike shoes and spinning shoes.
Modern cycling shoes are constructed with a stiff sole, have cloth or leather uppers and, to secure the shoe to the foot, a ratchet, Velcro, or shoestring tightening system.
Most cycling shoes now include a hollowed or perforated section in the sole where cleats, for snapping into the pedals, are inserted. Uppers are constructed of a combination of plastic mesh for strength and ventilation and leather or cloth for comfort.
Shoes designed specifically for road cycling have a smooth, rigid, inflexible sole that is bent slightly at the ball of the foot. This arrangement allows power to be transferred and focused in the toe area.
The soles are made of injected molded plastic (inexpensive, but heavier and prone to flexing) or a combination of plastic and carbon fiber, plastic and fiberglass or an all carbon sole (expensive, but lighter, rigid and more durable). All high-end competition-level shoes now have carbon fiber soles. The main advantage is their strength and light weight. Some carbon soles also come with adjustable sole stiffness.
Most road shoes are designed to be tightened while the rider is in the saddle. Velcro straps and ratchet systems are the most commonly used. The quality of road shoes depends on the sole rigidity, material used in shoe construction, breathability and overall shoe weight (the lighter, the better).
Shoes designed for mountain biking have a recessed cleat in the sole with traction studs on the outer edge of the soles or a traction sole.
Mountain bike shoe soles are designed to allow a slight amount of flex in the toe area, forward of the cleat.
This flexibility assists in walking while off the bike and hiking over rough terrain. Mountain bike shoes are secured by Velcro straps, ratchet systems, shoe laces or a combination of those alternatives.
Shoes designed for the casual road rider or touring are typically a hybrid of the road and mountain bike shoe with some limited flexibility and traction soles. They are designed so riders can get off their bike and walk comfortably.
Organized spinning classes have led to the development of specific shoes for indoor exercise. They are a hybrid of road and touring shoes, with a firm sole, limited traction, and lighter, breathable material. These shoes are designed to maximize comfort, coolness and breathability when used in hot, humid, under-ventilated conditions.
There are numerous companies selling quality shoes for whatever type of cycling you like. Shoes can be purchased locally at bicycle shops or over the Internet. Since it's difficult to get a good fit without first trying them on (sizing and shoe shapes vary among brands), I recommend that you go to local bicycle shops for your first purchase. Try on several brands of shoes before making a selection.
A good cycling shoe, equipped with a pedal/cleat system, will increase performance, decrease fatigue and prevent injury to your tendons and ligaments. Because positioning of the cleats is important for optimum performance, get professional help from a bike shop in fitting your first pair.
Bicycling enthusiast Bob Korfhage of Phoenix is a former president of Siskiyou Velo bicycle club.
