1. Tommaso Pista Women’s Spin Class Ready Cycling Shoe
2. Venzo Bicycle Road Cycling Riding Shoe
3. Fizik R5 Road Cycling Shoe
4. Giro Techne Men’s Road Cycling Shoe
5. Santic Road Cycling Shoe
6. Hiland Indoor Spinning & Road Bike Cycling Shoe
7. Giro Savix Men’s Road Cycling Shoe
8. Sidi Alba 2 Cycling Shoe
9. Sidi Genius 7 Air Shadow Carbon Cycling Shoe
10. BETOOSEN Road Bike Cycling Shoe
Road Bike Shoe Buying Guide & FAQ
Features To Look For In Best Road Bike Shoes
Fit - This is practically the most important feature to look out for when purchasing road bike shoes. The poor fitting can greatly impact your performance and the flexibility of your feet. Finding a road bike shoe that suits the shape of your feet and riding purposes is of great importance. A properly fitting bike shoe should be snug in your heel with even pressure on the instep. Your foot shouldn’t be pressed against the end of the shoe.
Also, well-fitted bike shoes give your toe extra room for comfort and flexibility. The shoe should also be able to hold your forefoot firmly and securely without restricting its movement.
Comfort - Wearing uncomfortable riding shoes takes the shine out of what is meant to be a fun and glorious ride. Casual cycling requires comfortable biking shoes. Shoes with stiff carbon fiber soles have a way of reducing the comfort of your feet. Luckily, there are various road bike shoe models listed above that provide a better balance between efficiency and comfort.
More so, comfortable road bike shoes feature a padded EVA insole to give your feet a comfy feel. Some go as far as providing arch and heel support for your heel to reduce the pressure in the area. In fact, the best road bike shoes in terms of a comfort feature a good closure system and padded sole.
Closure System - Cyclists favor a closure system that can be adjusted easily whilst still offering adequate security for your feet. Modern-day road bike shoes feature three major closure systems- Velcro, Ratcheted, and the Dial system. The Velcro system is found in low-end shoes; the ratchet is found in mid-priced shoes while the dial is mostly found in high-end shoes.
Although the Velcro straps are easy to use, they can be difficult to adjust while riding. This is when ratchets come in handy. They offer a more precise adjustment than the Velcro straps. However, they require both hands to fasten and unfasten. The most precise closure system is the dial system which offers precise adjustment and is operated using just one hand. Dials are however expensive but worth every penny.
Sole Materials - The durability and quality of the material used in the construction of the sole are of utmost importance especially if you want to see your performance improve. The best road bike shoes feature carbon fiber outsoles that help increase stiffness and reduce the overall weight of the shoe.
This directs all your energy transfer through a more efficient pedaling system. Some road bike shoes have a reputation for having hard-wearing and longevity characteristics. Although many models actually offer lightweight soles, they are still very stiff and durable. The stiffer the outsole, the greater the output performance. It’s recommended that you opt for road shoes with stiff carbon fiber soles.
Ventilation - If you intend to cycle for long distances or to engage in hard runs during the summer, then you should opt for road bike shoes with proper ventilation. They prevent smelly shoes and feet amongst other things. What’s more, the best road bike shoes are expected to have a reliable ventilation system.
Some modern shoe models are equipped with ventilation mesh to make your feet cooler. They also prevent your feet from sweating during hot rides and allow fresh air to come through while cycling. There are even some shoes with large cut-outs in the soles for an airy and light feel.
Cleats Compatibility with Pedals - Modern bike pedals work well with a variety of pedal systems. So, you need to ascertain which pedal system suits your cycling style. Your choice of clips when it comes to road bike shoes depends on your pedal system. Also, you might have to buy both the shoe and pedal to go with it.
There are 3 major types of clipless pedal systems used in cleat construction. They include Shimano Pedal System (SPD), Look Style System (SPD-SL), and Speedplay. The SPD is majorly used in mountain bikes, touring, and commuting shoes. The SPD-SL is more common with road biking shoes because of its stability and efficiency. The Speedplay is not so widely used and is seldom found in biking shoes.
Road Bike Shoe FAQ
Q: What are road bike shoes?
A: These are shoe purpose-built for riding and cycling. They come in a variety of styles and designs depending on the nature of the cycling for which they are intended. They equally offer a range of key features which include stiffness, cleat compatibility, and a more efficient transfer of power.
Older bike models make use of toe-clips and toe strap pedaling systems while modern road bike shoes are designed to be compatible with clipless pedal systems. Additionally, road bike shoes can be used in road racing, casual cycling, indoor cycling, and track racing.
Q: Do stiffer cycling shoes make a difference?
A: Flexible cycling shoes can cause a few problems for wearers including discomfort and foot pain. On the contrary, stiffer cycling shoes make a lot of difference in terms of comfort and improved power transfer. The stiffer the sole of the shoe is, the greater your overall performance. They ensure an efficient transfer of power from your body to the pedal system of the bicycle.
Furthermore, stiffer cycling shoes are made from premium carbon fiber flex materials which make them very expensive. What’s more, stiffer carbon soles are usually lighter than regular materials.
Q: Are expensive cycling shoes worth it?
A: They are definitely worth the steep price tag especially when you consider the many benefits and additional features you’d get to enjoy. The major determinant, in this case, is the quality of material used in the production of the cycling shoe.
Cycling shoes with stiffer carbon sole are usually more expensive than their traditional counterpart. More expensive models are usually lightweight and are more comfortable than the cheaper models. Some of them feature a ventilation mesh for proper airflow and cooling of the feet.
Q: Why do I need road cycling shoes?
A: Your feet are presumably the most important contact point between you and your bike. They make the ride smoother, comfier, and more efficient. Road cycling shoes also provide cyclists with adequate power and balance while cycling. What’s more, cycling shoes allow you to transfer more power to every pedal stroke thereby increasing efficiency.
They equally promote greater muscle balance and prevent fatigue due to excessive pedaling. Modern cycling shoes feature air vents that keep the feet from sweating profusely as well as firm structures that prevent your feet from cramping.
Q: Do the shoes come with cleats?
A: Using a cycling shoe involves putting together the pedals, the shoe, and the cleats. Your road bike shoe is incomplete without the cleats. However, most shoe models are unaccompanied by cleats. Cleats come in different styles and designs and they usually come together with the clip-in bike pedals.
The pedal attaches to your bike like a typical flat pedal while the mounting point of the cleats is screwed to the outsole of the matching cycling shoe. Furthermore, the pedal is equipped with a spring mechanism to allow the cleats clip easily on and off the cycling shoe.
