After selling literally thousands of customers and friends cycling shoes over the years I have learned a lot about how feet fit into cycling shoes and what complaints and problems drive people to buy new shoes. I thought I would take a few minutes to share my experience and training with cycling shoes and shoe fit. Every cyclist can benefit from a little shoe education. So here are some quick cycling shoe fit tips I’d like to share with you!!
1. A cycling shoe is the tightest shoe you will ever buy. Cycling shoes are designed to isolate your foot in order to gain the most amount of power and efficiency in the pedal stroke. Different shoes (especially brands) will fit your foot differently, try on as many shoes as you can and choose the one that fits you right. Your foot should not feel scrunched or your toes hit the front, but your foot should have little to no movement in the shoe.
2. Cycling shoes should feel comfortable right away. Cycling shoes do not stretch or “break-in” very much. If the shoe doesn’t feel 100% comfortable when you first put it on your foot, it never will. Don’t bother standing up and walking around when your trying on new cycling shoes... I know its counter intuitive but it literally means nothing to the proper fit of a cycling shoe (its not a walking or running shoe!!). If the shoe doesn’t feel right as soon as you put it on, put them back in the box.
3. BUY INSOLES!!!!! I have yet to see a cycling shoe (or any shoe for that matter) that has a stock insole that it worthy of being under anyones foot. This is a tip for EVERY cyclist out there. Kiss hot-spots and discomfort good bye!! Go out ASAP and buy a pair of over the counter supportive insoles to replace the ones in your shoes. I personally like SOLE brand insoles. They are about $50 and you heat mold them to your feet using your kitchen oven. Using supportive insoles will increase the comfort and power output of every person riding a bike.... period!! Don’t fall victim to the “heat molded” shoes sold by some shoes makers... only the heal cup is moldable, not the whole footbed... and that ain’t good enough!!
4. It doesn’t matter what other riders like or think is cool. Everyone is different, and the shoe that fits perfect for one person may not for another. I often see people come to our store looking for a certain brand of shoe because they read an article or a friend told them to get them... this is a bad trap to fall into. Start from scratch, try on as many shoes as you can (never buy off the internet without a really good return policy) and find the shoes you are comfortable in.
5. Don’t crank your shoes!! I often see riders cranking the straps and ratchets of their shoes really tight on their feet. This will restrict blood flow and is a recipe for discomfort and numbness. If your shoe is properly fit to your foot, you should not have to wrench your straps down... but just tighten enough to secure your foot. If your foot is loose in your shoe, buy a thicker insole to reduce the volume in your shoe and make the fit tighter.
6. If you own more than one pair of shoes, make sure they are the same brand. If you must own more than one pair of cycling shoes (for instance you need road and mountain shoes, or specific shoes for triathlon... etc...) buy the same brand for all your shoes. Brands will often use the same “last” through their entire line and thus will have a consistent fit. This will help your body stay tuned to your fit, and not have to constantly re-adjust.
7. Don’t wear worn out shoes. Some cycling shoes are expensive, but once they get worn out due to years of service its time to replace them. Worn out shoes can sap away comfort and power. Replace those old shoes!!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Spring City Spinners @ Cyclesmith
This Thursday the 24th, the Spring City Spinners are holding their spring meeting here at Cyclesmith. Guest speaker Kevin Hardman, who is the Executive Director of Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, will be giving a presentation. Also the Waukesha Bicycle Alliance will be giving a presentation about cycling in Waukesha. We will be hosting the event in the store with food and special store deals for those who attend. The meeting is open to the public. Hope to see you all there!!!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Twin Cities Swap
Even though a 10 hour round trip ride in the Cyclesmith Van is typically not my idea of fun... this weekend we loaded up the van for a voyage up to great white north of Minneapolis for the Twin Cities Bike Swap. Sunday we got up nice and early which was a bit hard for some of us, and headed over to the National Sports Center to set up our tables. We met a bunch of really great people and have a great time selling stuff, checking out cool bike bikes and hang’n out in The Cities!!
Broke off for home right after the swap in order to hit Osseo WI just about dinner time to enjoy the down home goodness of the Norske Nook for some Lefse, dinner and of course PIE!!!!
Broke off for home right after the swap in order to hit Osseo WI just about dinner time to enjoy the down home goodness of the Norske Nook for some Lefse, dinner and of course PIE!!!!
Monday, February 7, 2011
MTB Injuries Down
New study performed over 14 years and published in the Feb issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine shows MTB injuries have dropped 56%.
“The large decline we found in mountain bike-related injuries is likely due to a combination of factors,” said Lara McKenzie, PhD, principal investigator at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “While some of the decline may be explained by a decrease in the number of people riding mountain bikes, there have also been a number of improvements to the bicycle design, such as disc brakes and dual-suspension systems, that give the rider greater control of the bike and may help to reduce the incidence of injuries.”
Very interesting article at the Science Blog. However I would really like to read the actual study... anyone have a extra copy of the AJSM... ya know, just lay'n around????
“The large decline we found in mountain bike-related injuries is likely due to a combination of factors,” said Lara McKenzie, PhD, principal investigator at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “While some of the decline may be explained by a decrease in the number of people riding mountain bikes, there have also been a number of improvements to the bicycle design, such as disc brakes and dual-suspension systems, that give the rider greater control of the bike and may help to reduce the incidence of injuries.”
Very interesting article at the Science Blog. However I would really like to read the actual study... anyone have a extra copy of the AJSM... ya know, just lay'n around????
Sunday, February 6, 2011
ROAD TRIP
We will be attending the Twin Cities Bike Swap as a vendor on Sunday Feb 13th from 9am-2pm, held at the National Sports Center in Blaine, MN. This is a great bike swap, one of our favorites. We've been making the trip up for the last 4 years, and it always worth the effort. If your not making the trip, be sure to check back here for a full report and photos!!
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