One of the key contact points between you and your bike is at your feet. In the 1970s and 1980s companies such as Cinelli and Look developed the first popular clipless pedals, allowing shoes to clip in and out of pedals without the need for the previously-common toe-clip, rather through springs in the pedal and plastic cleats on the soles of the shoes, improving pedalling efficiency and power transfer.
In the past three decades, clipless pedals and shoes have been used almost exclusively at the top of the sport and various shoe brands have emerged to further improve pedalling efficiency with the introduction of stiff carbon fibre soles and various fastening systems for improved power transfer.
How to buy the best shoes for you
When looking to purchase cycling shoes, the most important factor is fit. The majority of cycling shoe manufacturers offer a wide range of sizes, often incorporating half sizes, with some brands also offering ‘wide fit’ options. We recommend you try before you buy, as various manufacturers have reputations for producing narrow or wider fits. Some brands, such as Bont, also allow home custom moulding through careful heating of the shoes in an oven.
ADVERTISEMENT
Different insoles can also be retrofitted to your shoe of choice, with various options depending on the arch of your feet. This will not only improve comfort but improve pedalling efficiency but also help to prevent injuries.
Most high-end shoes now feature carbon fibre soles that help to simultaneously reduce weight and increase stiffness, creating an efficient pedalling platform to ensure all of your energy transfers through your pedal stroke to the drivetrain. Uppers are often made with synthetic materials, although some brands continue to use leather.
Cycling shoes also need to be fastened and while some brands continue to use laces, the majority now use either proprietary rotating dials, which pull cables across the upper for a secure fit or use branded dials from popular companies such as Boa.
The 9 best road cycling shoes you can buy today
Sidi Shot
- Sizes available: EU 40-48
- Claimed weight: 580g (pair, size 42)
- Wide fit available: Yes
- Fastening system: Proprietary rotational dials x2
- Colours available: 7
- As worn by: Chris Froome (Team Ineos), Katusha-Alpecin, Bahrain-Merida
Specialized S-Works 7
- Sizes available: EU 36-49
- Claimed weight: 450g (pair, size 42)
- Wide fit available: Yes
- Fastening system: Boa S3 dials x2
- Colours available: 2 plus limited edition
- As worn by: Deceuninck-QuickStep, Bora-hansgrohe
Giro Empire SLX
- Sizes available: EU 39-48
- Claimed weight: 370g (size 42.5)
- Wide fit available: No
- Fastening system: Lace
- Colours available: 3
- As worn by: Taylor Phinney, Bradley Wiggins, Elie Gesbert
Fizik Infinito R1
- Sizes available: EU 36-48
- Claimed weight: 464g (size 42.5)
- Wide fit available: No
- Fastening system: Boa IP1 rotating dials x2
- Colours available: 4 plus Movistar Team editions, ‘Knit’ versions also available
- As worn by: Geraint Thomas (Team Ineos), Movistar Team
Shimano S-Phyre RC-9
- Sizes available: EU 38-48
- Claimed weight: 486g (size 42)
- Wide fit available: No
- Fastening system: Boa IP1 rotating dials x2
- Colours available: 4
- As worn by: Jumbo-Visma
Bontrager Ballista
- Sizes available: EU 39-48
- Claimed weight: 472g (size 43)
- Wide fit available: No
- Fastening system: Single Boa IP1 dial located on the heel
- Colours available: 3
- As worn by: Trek-Segafredo, Alberto Contador
- Buy Bontrager Ballista shoes in the UK
- Buy Bontrager Ballista shoes in the US
- Buy Bontrager Ballista shoes in AUS
Northwave Extreme Pro
- Sizes available: EU 37-48
- Claimed weight: 520g (size 42)
- Wide fit available: No
- Fastening system: Proprietary rotational SLW2 dials x2
- Colours available: 2
- As worn by: Astana Pro Team
- Buy Northwave Extreme Pro shoes in the UK
- Buy Northwave Extreme Pro shoes in the US
- Buy Northwave Extreme Pro shoes in AUS
Mavic Cosmic Ultimate SL
- Sizes available: EU 36-48
- Claimed weight: 398g (size 42)
- Wide fit available: No
- Fastening system: Boa IP1 x1
- Colours available: 3
- Buy Mavic Cosmic Ultimate SL shoes in the UK
- Buy Mavic Cosmic Ultimate SL shoes in the US
- Buy Mavic Cosmic Ultimate SL shoes in AUS
Rapha Classic
- Sizes available: EU 36-47
- Claimed weight: 500g (size 42)
- Wide fit available: No
- Fastening system: Lace
- Colours available: 4
- As worn by: Lachlan Morton (EF Education First)
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/9-best-road-cycling-shoes-for-2019
No comments:
Post a Comment