| There are shoes made for every activity, and | | | | wreck a few times as you acclimate yourself |
| bicycling is no exception. As there are a | | | | to them. Also, such shoes are no good to walk |
| variety of bicycling activities, there are | | | | in as the cleat constantly gets in the way. |
| also a variety of shoes made specifically for | | | | Such shoes are made just for riding and |
| each activity. Before getting into the types | | | | racing. |
| of shoes made for cycling, you first need to | | | | |
| decide what your budget is. This will help | | | | There are also road shoes which don't latch |
| you narrow down your choices. You don't want | | | | onto the pedals. Typically these have smooth |
| to spend more than you can afford, but you | | | | firm soles. Shoes made for mountain bike also |
| also don't want to go home with a shoddy pair | | | | may feature a cleat and binding system |
| of shoes. A decent pair of cycling shoes can | | | | similar to road bikes. Typically, though, |
| be purchased for under $100, and, of course, | | | | such shoes unhook easier because mountain |
| you can go way higher than that. | | | | bikers often have to remove their feet from |
| | | | the pedals. The more common type of mountain |
| Once you've decided how much you want to | | | | bike shoes don't latch on at all. They |
| spend, you need to focus on the kind of | | | | feature rugged soles similar to hiking boots |
| riding you intend to do. Will you be riding a | | | | and are, in fact, very similar to hiking |
| road bike, mountain bike, or a BMX/freestyle | | | | boots. For a recreational mountain biker, |
| bike? Are you looking to race or to just do | | | | hiking boots will work just fine. |
| your own thing and get some exercise in the | | | | |
| process? | | | | BMX riders and freestylers use shoes which |
| | | | are very similar to shoes made for |
| Whether it's a road bike, mountain bike, or | | | | skateboarding. These shoes have stiff soles |
| BMX bike, if you're just going to be a | | | | with excellent traction so they grip the |
| leisurely rider than almost any pair of | | | | pedals and provide as much power as possible. |
| athletic shoe will suffice. Your only concern | | | | The uppers on these shoes are strong and |
| should be the grip of the sole. For safety's | | | | durable to withstand the beating they'll |
| sake you need to be sure that your shoes are | | | | endure while doing tricks and flying around |
| at least good enough to hold onto the pedals. | | | | dirt tracks. |
| | | | |
| Now, if you're going to be a little more | | | | If you're just an occasional bike rider, any |
| serious about your riding then you need to | | | | pair of sneakers with a good sole will do, |
| start looking at more specialized shoes. | | | | but if you're a more serious rider than you |
| First we'll start with cycling shoes made for | | | | need to get a pair of specially made cycling |
| road bikes. Shoes made for the serious road | | | | shoes. They're produced by a variety of |
| cyclist feature a cleat on the bottom which | | | | manufacturers based all over the world. |
| hooks onto specially made pedals. This design | | | | Figure out what your budget is, envision the |
| allows for maximum power transfer as it | | | | sort of riding you intend to do, and do some |
| allows you to generate power while pushing | | | | research. Ask the pros at the local bike shop |
| down and raising your feet. The disadvantage | | | | and look online for reviews and information. |
| to this kind of shoe is that you're likely to | | | | |