Power on the pedal
Buy racing bike shoes: The devil is in detail – tips and tricks
The racing bike shoes are the crucial connection between the wheel and the driver. They should be selected carefully. The guide reveals what is important and what is not.
According to a current survey by the IFD Allensbach (January 2024), almost six million Germans over 14 years swing on the racing bike at least every now and then. About a third of them even frequently pedaled on the narrow tires over the country in 2023. The racing bike boom is likely to continue to fuel that the German professional cycling team Bora Hansgrohe has been involved in the most important bike races in the world for several years.
Those who regularly jump into racing dress and cycling pants cannot avoid getting a few solid racing bike shoes. Why? In order to get pressure (and train) on the pedal, a firm connection between man and machine is needed. And because an exit with the racing bike likes to take a few hours, racing bike shoes should not only be stable, but also as comfortable as possible. In other words, the matter is complex.
So that the racing bike shoes sit well from the first kilometer, they should be carefully selected. The article clarifies which questions can be clarified in advance and what is most important when looking for the perfect shoe.
1. Which criteria should a good racing wheel shoe meet?
It may sound a bit banal: But a good racing wheel shoe should fit. In contrast to a running shoe, bike shoes have to sit completely compactly and tightly. Otherwise the power transmission will not work or only to a limited extent. That is why the fit for racing cycling shoes is important to the be -all and end -all: immerse yourself in the search impartially. Slip into the models of different manufacturers to find out which fit is optimal for your feet. Only when the shoe is perfectly sits can you think about the closure and ventilation.
2. Why is the closure so important?
If your feet are one with your shoes, you should devote yourself to the closure. And it is important to have one thing in mind: the midfoot. An essential part of the force brought to the pedal takes place right there. Therefore, the midfoot must be optimally fixed with the five metatarsal bones. However, also in such a way that nothing presses and clamps, because this is not only painful in the long run, but also reflects on the watt knife.
But what closures and locking systems for racing bike shoes are there at all?
- Classic lacing: A closure that had disappeared in the sinking for years. However, the lace -up system is currently returning to racing cycling. As with this model of . Even in the professional sector, it plays a role again. This is justified with the low weight of the lowerers. In addition, one can perfectly adapt the pressure to the respective foot by lacing and thus avoid possible pressure points. On the minimum side it says that a stop is due if the lacing does not sit perfectly.
- Velcro: The Velcro fasteners known from children’s shoes are also popular. Especially with three straps, the pressure here can also be distributed very well on the foot tension. Depending on how tight you tighten the climbing drains. Disadvantage: To readjust, the Velcro fastener must be completely removed, re -placed and closed. This is possible while driving, but not recommended.
- Ratchet lock: Basically an upgrade of the Velcro just described. The ratchet, which usually replaces one of two or three climbing controls, can be configured more precisely and the pressure can be increased or reduced in small steps. And without having to interrupt the training. The small weight disadvantage compared to pure Velcro fasteners can be neglected for hobby drivers. Comfort is clear here.
- Rotip: Very widespread, but also by far the most expensive variant of the four racing wheel shoes. 300 euros and more are nothing special here. To do this, the pressure can be distributed over minimally rushed rotary wheels as that of Boa as precisely and finely on the foot than with any other closure. Clear advantage: even during training, fine adjustment is child’s play.
Important: Also try out how you can cope with the various locking systems. A combined system for your foot shape may also be the best that can consist of lacing or Velcro fastener with a rotating lock.
Speaking of foot shape. As with noses and ears, none of the other is the same. At least some manufacturers reacted to this by offering racing bike shoes with strips for narrow and wider feet. It follows that in the models for women the strips are specially tailored to their smaller feet. The strips for women are usually a little narrower and have a lower clamp.
3. Do racing bike shoes have to be well ventilated?
To make it short: the more air and wind to the sweating feet, the better. For autumn and winter, they also get a few solid over shoes that not only hold rain, but also wind and cold. Function socks that transport the sweat from the shoes are part of every season.
4. Sole crucial point: what you should pay attention to when buying
In addition to the closure, how expensive a racing wheel shoe is depends on the sole. For shoes with a carbon made of carbon, you have to dig deeper into your pocket than for those with plastic soles. For this, the coal fiber substructure is not only easier, but also at most torsion-stiff and thin. Why is that important? The thinner the sole, the closer the foot comes to the pedal axis. The kick becomes more efficient. For beginners and hobby racers it also does a shoe with plastic sole. However, make sure that the model of your choice in the area of the sole cannot get married with the bare hand. The rigidity is essential, even if it is at the expense of weight. In particular, somewhat heavier cyclists should make sure that the sole of your racing wheel shoe is maximum stiff.
The interior of a racing wheel shoe is no less important. Unfortunately, the insoles, which are inserted by the standard, are happy to fall off against the exterior. It also plays a role in cycling whether the feet are of course twisted. As with running shoes, appropriate help To put the overproniators or superpiner stable in the shoe. This is known as a X-leg position. Suppiners also end up on the outside of the heel. After that, the foot rotates little or not at all. Footballers in particular know this O-leg phenomenon. The appropriate insoles then support the foot vault on the corresponding side.
5. Which plate is the right one for me?
Finally, we come to the question of faith among cyclists. Which plate do I screw under the shoe? First of all, you will find three holes for standard wheel shoes, to which the three most common pedal panels can be attached. These are the systems of the manufacturers Time, Look and SPD SL from Shimano. If you swear by Speedplay, you need an adapter or a shoe on which the 4-hole cleats can be installed directly. However, they are only offered by a few manufacturers. Important: The right pedals belongs to every shoe plate.
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Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
