Mountain Bike Shoes

The proper road bike shoes provide a solid foundation for healthy posture, complete power transfer and fewer injuries on long rides. Clipless shoe and pedal systems are one of the most popular solutions for casual and serious road cyclists. Clipless road bike shoes feature a cleat mounted on the outer sole that locks into compatible pedals with a twist of your foot. Cleats have replaced toe clip cages and many alternative fasteners used with road bikes since the clipless system was released in the 1980s.

Road bike shoes are available for a variety of different applications and seasonal riding conditions. Shimano’s two-bolt SPD system and LOOK’s three-bolt system are the most common cleat options offered with road bike shoes. However, Speedplay and several other manufacturers also use a four-bolt system. Most road bike shoes come with an integrated connector plate designed to accommodate the two-bolt SPD system or the LOOK three-bolt system. A small portion of road bike shoes are available with pre-threaded connections for both systems that are hidden under a concealed sole plate. Cleats, cleat covers and accessories are sold separately.

LOOK cleats extend roughly one centimetre below the sole making them difficult to conceal whilst low-profile SPD cleats fit within a recessed panel that allows riders greater freedom and mobility off the bike. SPD cleats have traditionally been more popular with off-road bikers, commuters and casual riders who are more likely to dismount. Shimano has also developed a modified SPD pedal system with a larger contact point design specifically for road bikes and long-distance cyclists. Your preferred pedal style will typically influence the type of road bike shoes you require. Fortunately, pedals are available in universal sizes for easy changes.

Major cycle manufacturers and sports brands offer a variety of road bike shoes for men and women with lace-up, racing strap and casual sling-back designs. Racing shoes use a sleek one or three-strap design whilst casual shoes and hybrid shoes often use concealed laces. Casual road bike shoes start around £50 with specialty shoes going for £120-£300. Road racing shoes with outer soles made from carbon fibre provide the stiffest platform for optimal power transfer. Casual shoes and hybrid road bike shoes with rubber soles and comfortable EVA foam insoles provide a semi-pliable surface that’s preferable for walking and everyday commuter activities.

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