Although quite a few cyclists choose to travel without special clothing, it is worth considering the purchase of certain pieces. If you are looking at cycling professionally or want to improve your riding experience, cycling shoes are a piece of clothing worth buying. They are needed for several reasons – special shoes are better adapted to specific cycling conditions and provide better support for the feet during long rides.
If you have flat pedals and think that shoes are only for those with cleats, then you are wrong. The shoes can also be useful for those who have bicycles with flat pedals – better traction occurs and the foot does not slip. Hiking boots have a similar effect: their soles are rougher, so they slip less on surfaces. Such shoes are especially useful for those who ride downhill bicycles.
If it's a bike with clip-on pedals, then you'll definitely need shoes. When buying them, you should pay attention to three things:
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how they fit with the pedals (holes available, number of them);
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how they fasten (can't unfasten while riding);
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how they compress the leg (must provide support, but not pressure).
The most important is the first factor that shows how the shoes fit with the pedals. Usually, bicycle parts and accessories companies already create certain series of pedals and shoes that are compatible with each other. Therefore, for example, if the bicycle is equipped with Shimano clip-on pedals, it is best to look for shoes from the same manufacturer. Anotherimportant factor is the fastening of shoes – it is extremely important for the safety of cyclists that they do not unfasten at an unnecessary time. This means that even if the shoes get wet, they should not come off. The third factor is related to the hardness of the shoes. Harder shoes are chosen by those who want to ride longer distances, while slightly softer and more flexible shoes are recommended for those who have shorter distances ahead of them.
Mountain bicycle shoes have lugs that are designed to grip the pedal to prevent slipping. Each year, different companies release their own line of shoes that cater to the needs of cyclists with one pedal or another. For those who don't know which mountain bicycle shoes to start with, we can recommend Shimano SH-XC70 MTB. They have more supports that prevent the foot from slipping off the pedal, so they are perfect for people who often ride downhill. The shoes are made of carbon fiber, so they are light (weighs about 600 - 700 g), they hold the foot well, but leave room for the toes. The shoes are also very durable – you will be able to wear them for many rides.
So for cyclists, shoes are not necessary, but highly recommended. They can improve your cycling experience, increase your safety and help improve your skills. If you need Shimano shoes, you can always find them in the Bikko.lt online store.