What To Look For
The most important factor in buying any cycling shoe is a solid sole. Having a solid sole means you won't lose power between your foot and the pedal. You also need to have a snug fit around your toe and heel. There should be no movement inside the shoe. Movement not only causes friction and can lead to sores, but also contributes to efficiency lost when pedaling. The transition period is critical for a triathlete. How fast you get changed and on your bike can mean the difference between winning and losing. Make sure your shoes are easy to get in and are securely fastened to your bike. They should also be easy to unhook from your bike, though, when you get to the running section of the race.
Common Pitfalls
One of the common mistakes triathletes make in buying shoes is buying regular cycling shoes, as opposed to those made specifically for triathlons. Regular cycling shoes have three straps and clips that go over the top, as opposed to one large fabric fastener strap across the top. A cycling shoe keeps a rider's foot securely in the shoe, whereas a triathlon cycling shoe allows the rider to pull the shoe on quickly through the heel. Triathlon cycling shoes also have breathable uppers so that they can be worn without socks and will help your feet dry out after the swim portion of a race, as opposed to cycling shoes, which are leather and must be worn with socks--adding time to the transition.
Where To Buy
Triathlon cycling shoes can be found at some local bike shops, but a larger selection is generally available online. Look for online triathlon specialty stores like Gear and Training or Trivillage.com. Sites like Amazon have some triathlon shoes and are good to look at for comparison shopping. Check with your local sporting goods store. If it doesn't have triathlon cycling shoes, it is likely that it can order a specific brand for you.
Cost
Triathlon cycling shoes don't come cheap. The lowest price online as of August 2010 was $88 on sale. Prices range between $110 and $360 at varying price points. Most experts recommend saving up and purchasing high-end triathlon cycling shoes with carbon soles instead of plastic.
Member Comments