| Road bike shoes aren’t made to look pretty. They | | | | system is the Boa lacing system, which uses a dial to |
| are designed for speed and power to handle long | | | | tighten the laces equally over all the lace points. |
| distance riding. When looking for road bike shoes, there | | | | However, lacing systems have become less popular |
| are several factors you should consider: | | | | as buckles and velcro closures have become more |
| Compatability | | | | advanced and adaptable. Road bikes shoes made by |
| The best type of road bike shoes have a clipless | | | | such manufacturers as Sidi have replaceable buckles |
| system in which a metal or plastic cleat on the bottom | | | | which can be adjusted while on the bike. Other road |
| attaches to a binding on the pedal. However some | | | | bike shoes utilize Velcro closures which are designed |
| clipless road bike shoes are designed for only one | | | | to provide maximum resistance to slippage and also |
| type pedal. Always make sure your road bike shoes | | | | can be adjusted. Your main concern is to make sure |
| are compatible with your pedals by looking for | | | | there are no pressure points when the shoes are |
| specifications such as “cleat drill hole pattern | | | | fastened and that the closures fit securely to provide |
| SPD” or “Look adapter plate.” These | | | | maximum support. |
| specifications mean the shoes come with industry | | | | Type of material |
| standard adapter plates and will fit almost ant SPD | | | | Shoes made of soft and durable leather with cooling |
| pedal. | | | | mesh inserts, will always outlast man-made or plastic |
| Stiff soles | | | | shoes. Besides leather, some companies such as Sidi |
| On road bike shoes, the sole cannot be bent because | | | | use a high-tech material based on ultra-fine microfibers |
| of the stiffness. Generally, the stiffer the sole, the more | | | | and special resins which take on the characteristics of |
| expensive the shoe will be because a stiffer sole helps | | | | leather. When choosing your road bike shoes, you |
| with power transfer. Make sure your shoes have a | | | | ultimately want shoes made of material that will be |
| carbon fiber sole and that the heel cup surrounds your | | | | lightweight, comfortable and durable. |
| heel firmly and has reinforced support. Avoid shoes | | | | Always remember that the quality of road bike shoes |
| with injection-molded plastic soles which may be | | | | is measured by the shoe’s rigidity, durability and |
| cheaper but are heavier and prone to flexing. | | | | lightness. No matter if you are a just learning to ride, or |
| Closures | | | | a high-performance, high-mileage cyclist, choosing the |
| Road bike shoes have 3 different types of closures: | | | | right pair of road bike shoes is vital for an enjoyable |
| lacing, buckles and velcro. The most unique lacing | | | | and comfortable ride. |