Cycling shoes are lightweight and stiff-soled shoes that enable you to clip directly on to the bicycle pedal for comfortable and efficient riding. The shoe material is usually made from a combination of carbon or plastic. While there are many styles and price ranges, most will find that any cycling shoe, regardless of cost, will be durable, long-lasting and well worth the investment for the many inherited benefits.
Power
Because the rider's foot will not slip off the pedal unless he purposely unclips from the pedal platform, cycling shoes allow riders to maintain control and apply even force throughout the entire pedal stroke. Austin Cycle Camp Head Coach Dave Appel says that an even pedal stroke is the key to a good ride because it minimizes fatigue, injury and incorrect form. In addition, he points out that most shoes do allow for a certain amount of "float" and natural movement of the ankle joints. This also limits injury and stress to the legs and feet.
Efficiency
Most traditional pedaling without cycle shoes focuses mainly on the push, or down stroke, of the pedal. This can quickly exhaust the quadriceps muscles that do most of the pushing. Cycling shoes allow the rider to achieve an efficient circular pedal stroke that makes use of the full range of leg muscles in both the quadriceps and the hamstrings. Instead of losing power and momentum at the bottom of the pedal stroke, cycling shoes force the rider to pull up on the stroke as well, creating maximum stroke efficiency. This is true even when changing gears.
Safety and Control
Coach Appel acknowledges that there is a learning curve with clipping in and out of cycling shoes and cleats. He stresses the importance of practicing this task, which will seem awkward at first but can quickly become second nature. Even so, he says, cycling shoes are ultimately safer because the rider has more control of the bike since their foot is clipped in and will not slip. This is especially important on wet roads or uneven terrain when safety and control is crucial.
Convenience
The use of cycling shoes is often more convenient than using straps, toe clips or traditional flat pedals, particularly on outdoor rides. Once the rider gets used to the simple clicking in and out of the cleat, he no longer has to worry about bending down, taking time or compromising safety to take a hand of the handle bars to make adjustments. Cycling shoes are especially convenient on group rides or in heavy traffic when the cyclist needs to keep up or stop suddenly.
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