The right shoe can make a world of difference to your indoor cycling workout, especially if it’s a regular part of your weekly routine. The bikes of most indoor cycling studios have two-sided pedals: one side has a toe cage with straps, and the other is either a plain platform or an SPD-compatible “clipless” pedal system. SPD, or Shimano Pedal Design, is a versatile clipless pedal system that fits cycling shoes with SPD cleats.
Types of Shoes
If you’re new to indoor group cycling, you can wear a regular pair of gym shoes to class and secure your feet to the pedals by tightening the straps on the toe cages. By attaching your feet to the pedals, you increase the power in each stroke. Some enthusiasts have used gym shoes in class for years without issue. However, a considerable number of dedicated cyclists choose to upgrade to cycling shoes. Types of cycling shoes commonly available at bike shops include road shoes, mountain biking shoes, touring shoes and indoor cycling shoes.
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Benefits of Cycling Shoes
For indoor cycling class, cycling shoes trump gym shoes because of their stiff soles and firm attachment to the pedals. The cleats attach to the shoe directly under the ball of your foot, so that the ball is your foot’s connection point to the pedal. The cleat and pedal system stabilizes your foot, holding it firmly in place, which means less energy is wasted between your foot and the pedal. The stiffness of the sole has a similar benefit because it prevents you from wasting energy by bending your foot as you pedal. The stability and stiffness of cycling shoes help prevent foot fatigue.
Cycling Shoe Features
Indoor cycling shoes are a hybrid of touring and road shoes. Their stiff soles are made of either injection-molded plastic, carbon fiber or fiberglass. Unlike slick-bottomed road shoes, however, indoor cycling shoes have cleats that are recessed into a treaded rubber overlay, making them easy to walk in and less dangerous on floors that routinely get sweaty. The upper portion of indoor-specific shoes are made of lighter and more breathable materials, which is advantageous in a hot studio.
Considerations
Find out what types of pedals the bikes at your health club use before you buy shoes. Health clubs that have large populations of road cyclists or triathletes may have a few bikes in their studios with different clipless systems, such as the Look system. Fit is important. The shoe should be snug, but comfortable. The ball of your foot should be centered at the widest part of the shoe for optimal cleat placement. With regular use, shoes tend to last for about a year before their soles lose their stiffness and need to be replaced.
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