| To increase your enjoyment of mountain biking, the | | | | then women, nevertheless there are quite a few |
| right shoe is essential. A shoe designed specifically for | | | | styles designed specifically for the smaller foot of the |
| the mountain biker is the way to go. Mountain bike | | | | average woman. What makes the mountain bike shoe |
| shoes come in a variety of prices, from the | | | | so important? The occasional biker usually doesn't |
| inexpensive $70 range, up to over $400. The amount | | | | bother with toe clips or clipless pedals....they just hop on |
| of money you pay depends entirely on whether or not | | | | their bike and they're away. However, the serious |
| you are a casual, once-a-month rider, a serious | | | | cyclist wants to get all the power he or she can out of |
| hobbyist, or someone who competes in races - either | | | | a pedaling, and with the shoe firmly attached to the |
| amateur or professional. What is it about mountain bike | | | | pedal - either with a toeclip or by a cleat, the cyclist |
| shoes that make them a) important to have and b) so | | | | can pull upward on the pedal as well as simultaneously |
| expensive? Shoes designed specifically for cycling | | | | pushing downward on the other pedal, which increases |
| have stiff soles, which helps the cyclist in transferring | | | | the speed of the bike. What makes the mountain bike |
| the power from his legs and feet to the pedals and | | | | shoe so expensive? Well, as with any shoe, the price |
| thence to the chain for greater speed. Since the road | | | | comes down to what the shoe is made of. The lighter |
| cyclist is expected to be on his or her bike at all times | | | | the shoe is, the better for the racer. But, lightness |
| without having to do a great deal of walking, they | | | | comes expensive. Carbon fiber soles are the lightest |
| normally have a protruding cleat which slots into the | | | | soles on the market - carbon fiber is more expensive |
| recess on their pedals. A protruding cleat would be of | | | | to produce than injection-molded plastic, or plastic and |
| no use to the mountain biker, who quite frequently has | | | | fiberglass. However, the average rider should be able |
| to get off the bike and wheel or carry it around | | | | to get a pair of mountain biking shoes for less than a |
| obstacles. So mountain bike shoes have recessed | | | | hundred dollars. |
| cleats, that won't interfere with walking, and aren't | | | | Alastair Hamilton enjoys writing about cycling |
| made with a totally rigid sole, but one that will give just | | | | equipment for . For additional information on cycling |
| a little bit. There are dozens of mountain biking shoes | | | | equipment or mountain bike reviews subjects have a |
| on the market. Men will find a wider variety of designs | | | | look at his web. |