photo credit: richardmasoner

Are you looking for a way to add more power and speed to your cycling? Are the arches of your feet exhausted or cramping at the end of a hard ride? An excellent option that will take your cycling to the next level is a pair of cycling shoes.

Cycling shoes may look and feel a little unusual, in particular due to the extremely hard bottom to the shoe, but the benefits that they provide is immeasurable. These shoes are specifically designed to increase the power that is produced from the cyclist’s foot. The increased functionality achieved from these shoes is obtained by creating a sole that is rigid, and through this rigidity, the cyclist can transfer more power from their legs to the pedals of the bicycle. All shoes have a smooth, inflexible sole and typically are lightweight. In addition to this hard bottom, cycling shoes have the option of installing clips or cleats to the sole. Cleats allow for the cyclist to attach themselves to the clip portion of the bicycle pedal. By attaching the shoe to the pedal, the cyclist garners significantly more power, mainly through the ability to exert power while on the upward portion of the cycling pedal stroke. Cycling shoes usually have quick adjusting Velcro straps to secure the shoe on the cyclist foot.

The four main types of cycling shoes are touring, mountain biking, road racing and spin class shoes. Each of these types of shoes are specifically designed to address the unique aspects of each form of the sport. Mountain biking shoes have quick release between the pedal and the cleat, making it easy for the cyclist to release from the pedals when on difficult and unsteady terrain. Touring shoes have a limited size cleat, allowing for more comfort when walking in the shoe. Spinning shoes have a firm sole, not as rigid as other shoes, focused mainly on breathable and lightweight.

Women cycling shoes are different from men’s cycling shoes because they are designed to fit the slimmer nature of a female’s foot. Additionally, women’s cycling shoes have a higher arch and a narrower heel. The front of a woman’s cycling shoe often has a curved toe area to make walking more supportive and comfortable.

photo credit: faster panda kill kill
The added benefit from increased power that the cyclist achieves from wearing cycling specific shoes is immeasurable. With the engineered design of cycling shoes, through the incorporation of a rigid sole and breathable fabrics, a cyclist will acquire increased speed and power in addition to comfort by wearing these cycling specific shoes.

Finding a correctly fitting cycling shoe can be a tedious selection process but with the specifications that are addressed in women’s cycling shoes, the added value of these shoes will greatly benefit the female cyclist. A few features are standard on most cycling shoes. First, cycling shoes offer either several Velcro straps or buckle straps to secure the shoe in place. Second, a cycling shoe incorporates a rigid sole that is typically made out of plastic which allows for a more efficient method for the cyclist to transfer power from their legs to the pedals of the bike. A feature that is based on the cyclist preferences is the addition of cleats to the rigid sole of the shoe. Cleats allow for the shoe to be attached to the pedal of the bike. This additional feature allows for increased power and speed during the upward portion of the cyclist’s pedal stroke.

Men and women feet have anatomical differences and due to this, woman should ensure that they are purchasing shoes that are specifically designed for the female in mind. Women’s cycling shoes have been designed for the unique anatomy of a woman’s foot in several different aspects. These shoes incorporate a higher arch than a men’s cycling shoe to offer additional support for a woman’s foot. The shoes are typically narrower, addressing the slender nature of a woman’s foot. Women’s cycling shoes have a curved toe area to allow for additional comfort when walking. A narrower heel limits the movement of the heel while in the shoe, which can cause discomfort for the cyclist. Woman’s feet, especially at the heel area, are smaller than a man’s, so this feature is essential for the wellbeing and contentment of a woman during a ride.

There are multiple different varieties of cycling shoes. These are specific to each type of cycling that the rider is participating in. These include touring, mountain biking, spin class and racing. Touring shoes are built for comfort and often, if a cleat is installed, it is very minimal to allow for walking. Mountain biking shoes have a cleat that is designed to allow for the cyclist to quickly clip out of the pedal when on unstable terrain. Spin class shoes have a slightly less rigid sole and offer increase breathability for comfort during an indoor spinning class. Finally, racing shoes are designed for the speed and to be lightweight and breathable.

photo credit: richardmasoner
Female athletes interested in performance have their choice of road bikes, time trial bikes and mountain bikes specifically designed for women. Depending on the intended use, components and budget, sport-specific bikes can range from $300 to custom bikes in the tens of thousands. Women interested in casual, non-competitive riding also have many options to choose from. There are plenty of hybrids and comfort cruiser bikes for women to choose from. Now that bike-commuting has become popular, city bikes for women are also becoming more common.

There is no one "best" bike for women - it depends on the type of riding she will be doing, her fitness level, and her budget. Some bikes have the capability of being multi-sport bikes (for road, mountain and city riding), and some are very specialized (such as time trial bikes). If the cyclist has the budget for only one bike, it should be a bike that "does it all". Hybrid and city bikes are probably the best for all-around use. Although they are heavier than road bikes and not nearly as aerodynamic, they are comfortable and can be light enough to ride long distances. Some hybrids are quite heavy and designed only for bike path use; however, city bikes (which are a more road-worthy cousin of hybrids) are more and more present on century rides (100 mile rides) because of their comfort. Hybrids and city bikes are not designed for aggressive trail use, but can easily handle gravel roads or gentle hiking trails if the tires are switched out to knobby cyclo-cross tires for better traction.

Comfort bikes for women are popular with cyclists looking to cruise the bike path or ride around the neighborhood. They are strictly for fun - they are not nimble climbers on the hills, nor maneuverable and responsive as road and mountain bikes, but for a fun, gentle ride that does not blow the budget, they are great.

Although most women's bikes fit most women, there are a few out there who are particularly short, or tall, or have certain physical requirements, that are not addressed in "off the rack" women's bikes. For these women, custom bikes can be an alternative. Expensive, yes, but worth it when their personal requirements are met!