What shoes to choose for a cyclist.
Cycling shoes are perhaps the most underrated piece of cycling equipment. Many beginner riders believe that almost nothing depends on shoes. But this is a misconception. For more references, check out: road cycling shoes
Correctly fitted cycling shoes provide increased comfort for the cyclist and protect the feet from injury. And racing contact models also dramatically increase pedaling efficiency.
All cycling shoes are divided into 3 types:
- trail;
- contact MTB;
- contact road.
Trail cycling shoes.
This option is perfect for hikers who ride in a style close to walking, on bicycles with non-contact pedals. Also convenient to use for city or park trips. These shoes are similar to regular sneakers, but there are some differences. The outsole is made of solid rubber, which allows for better transmission of force to the pedals and does not slip on the surface of the pedal. The outsole features a tread that provides reliable traction on the ground and rocky terrain. Sometimes there are holes for the contact spikes of the pedals, which are closed with a plug.
Trail models should have the following properties:
- comfort while walking and pedaling;
- protection from injury;
- good ventilation;
- depreciation;
- reliable adhesion to the road surface and pedals;
- antibacterial impregnation;
- water-repellent impregnation;
- comfortable clasp.
Racing contact shoes.
For serious cycling and those who love high speed, special shoes are required that are compatible with the contact pedals of the bike. It provides circular pedaling, in which the load from the feet to the pedals is transferred during a complete pedal cycle, not only when the pedal is depressed, but also when the pedal is upward. This increases pedaling efficiency by about 20%, which allows for greater speed.
In addition, racing shoes should be lightweight, durable and comfortable.
In the sole of these shoes there are holes in which the frame of the contact pedals enters and snaps into place, as a result of which a strong connection is obtained, the foot is held firmly and securely. To release the foot from the contacts, you just need to turn the heel. In the event of a fall, the leg performs this movement reflexively, therefore 100% unfastened, which reduces the risk of injury.
As the base of the sole, not rubber is often used, but more rigid materials, such as carbon in high-quality modifications, or plastic in budget ones.
Basic requirements for footwear suitable for serious cycling:
- the presence of special holes in the sole for a clear connection with the contact pedals;
- hard sole;
- reliable fixation of the leg;
- excellent ventilation;
- comfortable clasp.
The advantages of "contacts":
- the possibility of circular pedaling, which increases efficiency and speed (up to 20%);
- more muscles are involved, which reduces fatigue;
- the load on the knees is reduced, it is redistributed to other joints of the leg;
- the leg does not jump;
- additional control over the bike with your feet, for example, you can use your feet to pull the bike up in order to jump over an obstacle on the go;
- VND MTB boots allow you to walk on the ground and asphalt.
Main disadvantages:
- high cost;
- the need to adjust the spring-loaded pedal frame for a specific model, which makes it problematic for several people to ride a bike in different contact shoes.
Road contact boots differ from MTBs in that they have more holes in the sole and a larger area of contact with the pedal, which provides a clearer and more rigid foot connection. In MTB modifications, the outsole tread is more developed, there are lugs to improve traction with the ground, which makes it easier to climb steep hills on foot. In road contact shoes, you cannot walk on the ground, much less on asphalt.
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