Picking an Indoor Cycling Shoe

This information is the intellectual property of www.Spinning.com for use by Johnny G Spinning Instructors.

The right shoe makes a good Spinning® class great. Cycling shoes feature durable, breathable construction and hard soles that help keep your feet stable and secure on the pedals, promote good circulation and minimize strain to the balls of your feet. Best of all,these shoes feature pedal/shoe interface systems so you safely lock your feet to the bike pedals, facilitating a powerful, even, efficient pedal stroke. Cycling shoes are available in a variety of styles and price ranges, so whatever your needs, there’s a shoe that fits.

Before You Buy: When shopping for a shoe for your Spinning class, do your homework—it will save you a lot of time and perhaps, money.

• What type of pedal system is installed on the bikes where youride? You’ll need to buy shoes that clip in to the type of pedals your facility has.
• Will you be using the shoe exclusively for Spinning class or forroad or mountain biking as well?
• What cycling shoes do other students and/or your instructor wear? Ask them how and why they chose their particular shoe.
• How much money would you like to spend?

Necessities: When shopping for a good cycling shoe for your Spinning class, whether it’s a road or mountain shoe, you should always look for a stiff sole, good retaining system (how the shoes hold your foot inplace) and stable, breathable, durable construction.

Stiff soles boost your leverage on the pedal and decrease foot fatigue. Laces, Velcro straps or other retaining systems hold your feet securely in place, which aids the upward movement of your pedal stroke. They also lend stability, reducing movement keeping your feet and body aligned correctly on the pedals. Shoe breathability is also very important for all types of cycling, especially indoors. Riding indoors generates considerable body heat and sweat, so make sure the shoe features mesh or another breathable fabric that circulates air to your feet.

Last, but certainly not least is safety. Gym flooring is often a hard surface and can become slippery from sweat after class. Most road cleat systems have large protruding cleats that can make walking difficult and even hazardous in a gym environment. Even the most experienced riders can experience loss of traction and balance. For Spinning class, your best bet is ashoe with a recessed cleat or SPD® (Shimano Pedal Design) system and a rubberized sole for safety.

The Right Shoe Makes All the Difference
All cycling shoes feature cleat pods, a small area on the shoe sole where you can attach a pedal cleat. When you purchase a pair of clipless bike pedals, they are sold with accompanying cleats that clip into the pedals to create a secure fit. Although not all Spinning facilities install “clipless pedals” on Johnny G Spinners®, many do.

The most common pedal design is SPD, which is the most versatile pedal you can purchase. If you just want to be able to use the Spinner pedals at your local gym without purchasing a pair of pedals, first make sure your gym has SPD compatible pedals, and then purchase a single pair of SPD cleats from your local bike shop. Remember, if you are buying shoes from a bike shop, always ask if they will include the cleats and install them for you at no charge.

It’s easy to get the hang of clipless pedals and once you do, you’ll never go back. For more information, visit www.spinning.com.

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Spinning student handouts are the intellectual property of Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc. They are provided to Johnny G Spinning Instructors and authorized Spinning facilities with permission to photocopy and distribute to Spinning class participants. ©2004 Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc. All rights reserved. SPIN®, Spinning®, Spinner® and the Spinning logo are registered trademarks of Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc.

Comments

[Indoor Cycling Fan!]

Great article. I totally agree with the suggestions here. Finding an indoor cycling shoes with a solid sole is definitely important. And don't forget to know what type of clip-in pedals they have at your gym or spinning class. This is crucial to the type of cleat you'll get for your spinning shoes.