Feet Before Fit
By Justin GouldingCycling Shoes (Size, Shape, and Width)
Perhaps unsurprisingly choosing the right shoes is the first step to setting up your feet for success. Without touching on the impacts of different levels of shoe stiffness, getting shoes of the correct size, shape, and width for your feet is essential to a good pedal stroke. Needless to say that if your feet are uncomfortable, this will impact the entirety of your cycling experience. Pressure on the inside or outside of the foot often leads to riders subconsciously altering their pedal stroke to avoid discomfort. These small adaptations can lead to more serious pain or injury, often through the knees or hips if left unchecked.
Cycling Footbeds
If your shoes are the connection between you and the bike, your footbeds (sometimes referred to as insoles) are your feet’s connection to your shoes. Runners have long understood the importance of buying shoes that match your feet, with a variety of shoe types (neutral, stability, etc.) available to support different levels of pronation, supination and arch structure. Though shoe demands are different for cyclists, getting proper footbeds is perhaps the closest equivalent to buying the correct type of running shoe in terms of supporting the foot appropriately. A footbed or orthotic that supports your feet properly is a key step to making sure your feet are well supported and encourages proper biomechanics on the bike.
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The primary factor for determining a properly fitted footbed is the height and location of the arch support. Many off-the shelf options (e.g. Superfeet , Sole , etc.) offer three arch heights per size: while this works for many, this can sometimes lead to riders needing to size up to find an option that puts the arch in the correct location. Other more modular options, like the popular G8 Performance insoles , provide the option of adjusting both the height and location of the arch support.
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Cleat Positioning
The final step in setting up your feet for success is cleat positioning. We encourage you to check out our recommended method for setting up your cleats, as improper cleat positioning can be the downfall of even the best shoe choice. The placement of your cleat dictates the location and angle at which your foot transfers power to the bike, and as such has a significant impact on how you move and the strains on your body.
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Justin is a lifelong cyclist that has spent the past 15 years in the bike industry across a variety of roles. His diverse work in sales, procurement, fitting, instructing, and planning cycling infrastructure is all driven by a desire to help more people experience the wonder of cycling. He brings this breadth of experience to building MyVeloFit into a company and service that not only provides bike fits, but one that enables more people to get the most out of cycling.
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Whether you are a veteran or new to the sport, MyVeloFit can help you improve your position.
Cycling Shoes (Size, Shape, and Width)
Perhaps unsurprisingly choosing the right shoes is the first step to setting up your feet for success. Without touching on the impacts of different levels of shoe stiffness, getting shoes of the correct size, shape, and width for your feet is essential to a good pedal stroke. Needless to say that if your feet are uncomfortable, this will impact the entirety of your cycling experience. Pressure on the inside or outside of the foot often leads to riders subconsciously altering their pedal stroke to avoid discomfort. These small adaptations can lead to more serious pain or injury, often through the knees or hips if left unchecked.
Cycling Footbeds
If your shoes are the connection between you and the bike, your footbeds (sometimes referred to as insoles) are your feet’s connection to your shoes. Runners have long understood the importance of buying shoes that match your feet, with a variety of shoe types (neutral, stability, etc.) available to support different levels of pronation, supination and arch structure. Though shoe demands are different for cyclists, getting proper footbeds is perhaps the closest equivalent to buying the correct type of running shoe in terms of supporting the foot appropriately. A footbed or orthotic that supports your feet properly is a key step to making sure your feet are well supported and encourages proper biomechanics on the bike.
The primary factor for determining a properly fitted footbed is the height and location of the arch support. Many off-the shelf options (e.g. Superfeet , Sole , etc.) offer three arch heights per size: while this works for many, this can sometimes lead to riders needing to size up to find an option that puts the arch in the correct location. Other more modular options, like the popular G8 Performance insoles , provide the option of adjusting both the height and location of the arch support.
Cleat Positioning
The final step in setting up your feet for success is cleat positioning. We encourage you to check out our recommended method for setting up your cleats, as improper cleat positioning can be the downfall of even the best shoe choice. The placement of your cleat dictates the location and angle at which your foot transfers power to the bike, and as such has a significant impact on how you move and the strains on your body.
Justin is a lifelong cyclist that has spent the past 15 years in the bike industry across a variety of roles. His diverse work in sales, procurement, fitting, instructing, and planning cycling infrastructure is all driven by a desire to help more people experience the wonder of cycling. He brings this breadth of experience to building MyVeloFit into a company and service that not only provides bike fits, but one that enables more people to get the most out of cycling.
