Q: "Can you give me some advice on purchasing cycling shoes for spin classes? Do mountain bike shoes with clips work or do I need to purchase special clips for the shoes to be compatible with the pedals of the spin bike? Thanks for your help!" - Tiffany Y., Sykesville
A:
A stiff-soled, breathable shoe with a recessed Shimano Pedaling Dynamics (SPD) cleat is the best choice for indoor cycling. Wearing a shoe that clips into the pedal improves efficiency and, according to fitsugar.com, allows you to "power your pedaling during the full circle of a pedal stroke."
Spinning.com notes, "Indoor cycling shoes are specially fitted to clip into the pedals of a bicycle. This allows the feet to remain firmly affixed to the pedal, and ultimately works more muscle groups and ensures greater control." The recessed cleat, which is favored by mountain bikers but is also used by many road bikers, makes the shoes easy to walk in and they won't scratch the floor.
Before purchasing cycling shoes, check with your local gym or cycling studio to find out what kind of clips they have on their bikes. Most indoor cycles feature an SPD design on one side of the pedal, requiring an SPD compatible shoe, and a toe cage on the other side, which is compatible with regular street shoes. However, spinning.com advises against street shoes for cycling, deeming them "simply insufficient to provide you with the necessary control and comfort."
In addition, spinning.com recommends purchasing shoes with "strong Velcro straps to prevent slipping and to aid the upward movement of the pedal stroke," while paying specific attention to the sole. "A stiff sole is essential as it allows a greater transfer of power between the leg and the bike."
Many local bike shops, including the Cycle Mill in Ellicott City and Race Pace, with locations in Westminster and Columbia, have a wide variety of indoor cycling shoes to choose from.
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As I See Fit
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