Cycling shoe
The aim is maximal efficiency of power-transfer, using a cleat on the sole of each shoe and a matched fitting on the pedal.
Road pedals use a wide cleat, usually of hard plastic, which makes walking difficult (or, without care, hazardous) but gives good power transfer and is comfortable on long rides.
Some mountain bike shoes have a little engineered frontal flex in the toe area forward of the cleat mount, and may carry a couple of studs, as used on the sole of football boots.
This, and the cleat attached to the shoe bottom, make a clicking sound when they come together and results in the waddle of the walking cyclist.
Most road shoes have a raised and generally different material from the outsole at the toe and heel to make stopping and short walks a little easier.
Road shoes have molded holes with threaded inserts inside to allow for the attachment of an external cleat.
Many cycling shoes use a three-hole system for attaching the cleat which is sometimes called a "Look pattern" after the company that popularized the clipless pedal in the middle 1980s.
Lake, DMT and Sidi now offer a purpose designed, Speedplay pedal compatible shoe.
The key features include: quick foot entry and exit, sockless, and good drainage.
Velodrome or track racing is popular in the UK, Australia, parts of the US and the traditional cycling countries of Europe.
These shoes tend to be simple and traditional with lace closures for best fit with pedal straps; they frequently use the lightest and most rigid materials.
Track-specific models are offered by relatively small number of manufacturers such as Riivo, Bont, DMT,[1] Suplest (though named as road),[2] and EZNI.
Other two-bolt cleat and pedal systems for use with casual cycling and MTB shoes are produced by Crank Brothers, Speedplay and Ritchey, to name a few.
Most of these shoes allow for attachment of two screw-in studs or spikes in the toe area for more traction in mud or steep trails.
The cleats used on mountain bike shoes are also depressed below the treads of the sole, keeping them from contact with the ground.
Often called Spinning shoes, after the company that popularized fitness club classes led by an instructor using stationary bicycles.
A few companies have developed shoe models intended to cater to the indoor cyclist, including Nike, Lake, SIDI, Specialized, Exustar and others.
Cycling shoes with insulated, over-ankle coverage have been available for a number of years from Lake, Sidi, Northwave, Exustar, Gaerne and others.
