When a student asks what they should purchase for Indoor Cycling Shoes, what do you recommend? Do you have a place to send them? Does your club sell Indoor Cycling Shoes?
If you're only using them for Indoor Cycling classes, then a shoe with a recessed SPD cleat is the best choice. Often refered to as Mountain Bike shoes, you'll find they are easy to walk on and won't scratch the floor. Every pedal you will find and a studio these days will have a SPD on one side.
Here are links to a number of suggestions at Amazon.com which has as good a pricing as anyone and you can't beat Amazon's easy return policies.
Indoor Cycling Shoes for Women
I ride a lot outdoors and prefer a conventional "Cycling Shoe" that has an exposed cleat - I have used Look cleats on all of my road bikes. My feet are very wide and flat. After suffering with ill fitting shoes in a "regular" width for years, I finally broke down and purchased a pair of Sidi Mega Road Cycling Shoes
I should add that I wear my Sidi's with Superfeet supportive insoles that prevent my feet from rolling inward, which takes a lot of stress off my knees.
This post has more suggestions and recommendations for the best indoor cycling shoes for wide feet.
Originally posted 2010-06-19 09:51:02.
John is a member on the AFS (Association of Fitness Studios) Advisory Council.
Holding certifications from; Schwinn, Heart Zones, Team ICG and Life Time Fitness, John's held regularly scheduled cycling classes between 1998 and 2015 when he moved to Florida.
When the weather permits, you'll find him riding and leading outdoor groups by himself or with his Tandem partner (wife) Amy.
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recommendations:
-not to pricy 50-100$ is a good range;
-confortable;
-not too soft;
-strap are better than lace;
-mountain bike or IDC shoes NOT road bike one’s;
-DON’T forget the cleat ! Just because it happen to one of my rider, the bike shop did not put cleat !!!
-go to x,y,z dealer, I oriente them to some bike shop I know, to be sure that they would will have a GOOD service.
But one of my rider find on ebay a pair of brand new Sidi for 30$ !!! So now her nick name is misses deal …
About 45 min away we have a Pearl Izumi discount store. I tell my newer non-cycling students not to spend a lot of money, but also don’t get the cheapest. I once bought some cheap ones that were suede – man did my feet sweat!
Pascal gives good advice.
eBay is not a bad choice either – however, each manufacture has slightly different fitting guidelines. Some seem big for the same size, some small. I think it’s better to go by European sizing (39, 40, 41). However. I wear a 40 with one brand and a 41 with another, so try the shoes on first somewhere, and then look on eBay. Tight shoes are really uncomfortable, especially if your feet swell in the heat.
On the other hand – it’s always good to give your LBS the business! (Local Bike Shop)!
I tell my students that if they particiapte in spin classes with any regularity then they really owe it to themselves to get a pair of bike shoes. Mtm bike ones (as I use) are ideal because they (we) can still talk around easily and not damage our wood floors.
Not using bike shoes is just plain inefficient.
I’ll suggest to my folks that they try shoes on at a local store, but can then see if they’re available for order from nashbar.com if they want to try to save a little $$.
Definitely agree about mtn or IDC, not road shoes!
What I tell them is mostly what Pascal, Matt and Shari have brought up here already. In addition I strongly advise them that the shoes need to fit their feet in first priority – “looking nice” or color is of last importance ! Usually I tend to tell them that they ride with their feet and not with their eyes …
I send them to the LBS to at least get a proper fit. Our shop usuallly has some less exspensive mtb shoes with spd pedals that work fine.
I’m one that has experienced a foot injury due to wearing running shoes on an indoor bike. I suggest cycling shoes first, then as a minimum, a harder soled shoes such as a cross-trainer. I discourage soft-soled running shoes. A harder is more effiecient. A softer sole equals an injury waiting to happen 😉
I know the looks isn’t as important as Moritz says…but what brand is that in the photo that you used John? Those are hot! And they have kangaroos on them! 😉
I used to sell shoes to them that I purchased from a country bike store with a mail order business. This turned out to be a huge pain in the saddle area. People are clueless to their actual foot size. I ended up with stock I couldn’t sell and shipping shoes back and forth (time/money). Leave it to the bike stores. BTW – I saw some pedals put back on a bike 100% backwards yesterday. Ruined two cranks and a pair of triple links. Don’t let the buggers near a pedal spanner.
I recommend they go to a local bike shop or REI to get fitted. I personally bought my pair from Team Estrogen (dot com). They are Shimano, intended for indoor use and has a women-specific fit. (Their only downside is that they have laces not straps.)
So if it’s a female student who is asking about shoes, I will usually recommend she try Team Estrogen for shoes and also for bike shorts.
having velcro straps or at least one velcro strap to cover over the lace tie is a good idea. a loose lace in the chain ring is not a fun thing. I use the same shoes (spd cleats) for outside as well as inside.
Shayne,
too funny!
Here is a tough one. I do a specialized class that consists of Bike – Kickboxing/Cardio – Bike – Kickboxing/Cardio
It is a high intensity cardio workout and we transition directing to and from the indoor bikes to the punching bags, no time to change shoes. So I am interested in a light stiff soled shoe but still flexable enough to jump/squat/kick run a lap etc. Any ideas? I’m thinking a racquetball or tennis shoe? I tried cross trainers – no good got blisters on toe on spinning bike, keep in mind we have to use cages. Had mid top basketball shoes they were ok (fit good in cages) but looking for something better. I wish Peal Izumi would make me a cyclebox shoe.
We people ask me about spinning shoes and they’re just getting into it, I tell them to get a pair they can afford that’s comfortable and has lots of mesh for good air circulation.
But, if it’s going to be their only pair of bike shoes, then getting a pair that they can road bike / mountain bike in is fine, too. Then when they get more into it and realize the benefits of having dedicated indoor cycling shoes, go out and get a nice lightweight and airy pair for the gym.
Some good entry level Shimano or Specialized mountain bike shoes can be great. Straps, as suggested above, is really nice to have as well. I can’t imagine not having a pair of spinning shoes for spin class.