The Rundown on SHOES
Your spin shoe can make or break your ride. Yep, that's right. The quality of your shoe and the cleats that you use are the equivalent of selecting the right shoe as if you were preparing for the Boston Marathon. “What shoes should I get?”, “Where can I order them?”, “What are important factors to consider?”. These questions sound familiar? Don’t fret, shoe questions are some of the most commonly asked questions at Full Ride Cycling, so we’re here to give you the FULL rundown.
THE SHOE
At Full Ride Cycling, we require all riders to wear cycling shoes. Why? Well, they’re designed for the job. Stephen Quay, the product manager for footwear at Specialized, says “cycling shoes insides are built taller and thicker to protect the foot.” This will help keep your legs in proper alignment while you’re moving at 120 bpm.
Been riding for a while and not quite sure when to make the investment? If you’re hitting the studio 3-4 times a week, you might want to rethink getting your own pair. Why? According to Quay, “people who cycle three or four times a week really need a shoe that’s been tailored to their foot so they get the proper anatomic support”.
So which style of shoe to get? There are three types of cycling shoes: road biking, mountain biking, and indoor cycling. Road cycling and mountain biking shoes tend to be thicker and clunkier than shoes specifically designed for indoor cycling, says Quay. “Your feet also aren’t going to get as much air inside as you would outside, so most indoor shoes have extra ventilation around the sides and tongue,” he says.
As you shop for your perfect shoe just remember, comfort is king. Ensure that the shoe feels good across the widest part of your foot. There’s less flexibility in a cycling shoe than a running shoe, so it’s not going to stretch to accommodate your foot as you break it in. You also don’t need quite as much toe room as you do with running shoes. Your toes shouldn’t be making contact with the front of the shoe or uncomfortable in any way, but they may feel a little more fitted than your average sneaker
THE CLEATS
There are two types of cleats that you can choose from:
So which to choose? Good news: both Delta and SPD cleats are compatible with the bikes at Full Ride Cycling, so it’s really a personal preference. However, you’ll find that nearly the entire FRC team is team delta and here’s why:
With the delta cleat, your foot is more secure upon clipping into your pedal, making for a smoother and more stable ride
The delta cleat takes up more surface area on your foot creating more stabilization. with more stabilization under your foot, you’re eliminating long-term knee and hip pain, especially for riders who ride at least 3x/week.
OUR PICKS
You might see a lot of these on the FRC podium. These are #1 on our list!
One of the top cycling shoe manufacturers!
Highly recommended for those with narrow feet.
If you aren’t ready to make the investment or enjoy renting shoes for convenience, we rent high-quality Shimano shoes with Delta cleats and are happy to answer any questions you might have!