In multisport racing events such as triathlons, the time it takes an athlete to transition from one sport to another is included in the overall race time. Therefore, competitive athletes aiming to minimize transition times between cycling and running may be attracted to the idea of finding road bike shoes that can double as running shoes. However, the sport-specific design of most road bike shoes makes them unsuitable for running any significant distance.
Function
Bike shoes are typically designed with a clip system that attaches your shoes to the pedals of your bike. This allows for greater efficiency in your cycling strokes, as your shoe is in constant contact with the bike pedal and, therefore, exerts force on the pedal throughout its 360-degree rotation. An advantage of clip-in cycling shoes is that they allow you to exert force on the upstroke as well as the downstroke of the pedal.
Road Bike Shoes
Road bike cycling shoes are one of several different types of clip-on cycling shoes commercially available in the United States. A typical road bike shoe will have a rigid, inflexible sole with a smooth surface and a slight bend at the ball of the foot. These shoes are typically lightweight, and some feature holes in the outsoles for ventilation purposes. Most manufacturers of road bike shoes attach a cleat to the shoe via a three-hole system.
Running
The design of road bike shoes is focused on their efficiency of use on the pedals, and the shoes are not intended for walking or running. The shoes' stiff soles, the bend near the ball of the foot and the presence of cleats all make it difficult to even walk short distances in typical road bike shoes, much less run. In a concession to make walking transitions easier for cyclists, some road bike shoes feature raised material at the toe and heel.
Hybrids
A few manufacturers offer hybrid shoes intended for biking and running, as of January 2011. These shoes typically feature the ability to clip onto a bike pedal, while providing sufficient support, grip and traction for trail running. In terms of cycling, these hybrid shoes have the disadvantage of being heavier than nonhybrid shoes. For running, hybrid shoes are typically stiffer than you would expect from a running shoe. A recessed cleat design keeps the cleat out of contact with the ground as you run.
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