0:36 what is a shoe? 1:56 the shoe needs to fit 3:26 how do you find a shoe that fits? 6:01 laces or boas? 7:52 do you need a carbon sole? 9:51 what about the material of the upper? 11:10 top 5 brands we recommend
I am a foot doctor... really enjoyed your video. I never comment on videos, but when you began discussing the longitudinal arch and then the logic behind selecting a neutral shoe and issues with assuming a forefoot varus I became very excited lol. I almost never hear people outside my profession take the time to commit to that level of biomechanical understanding. I wish you the best and hope you continue learning every day!
I have a flat foot, and it has a wide toe box. I am also a heavy rider, putting on a lot of miles.Can you recommend me a cycle shoe or tell me what characteristics my shoe needs to have please? I was looking at lakes cx238, then cx241, then i hear about the heel slipping. I saw a video on sidi shot 2 shoes, and then hear that they are for narrow feet. Good grief. Thanks.
I think he could smile a bit more and lighten up. It might be a serious discussion, but it shouldn't sound like a boardroom meeting with manufacturers.
I wish I had seen this video 15 years ago when i started having problems. Everything he said is what I have learned in that amount of time. It would have saved me so much time and money on shoes and sizing experimentation if he were around then. He is so spot on. If you are new into cycling he can save you so much time and teething pains and get you concentrating on riding instead of jacking with shoes.
After watching your video I researched and purchased the Lake CX237 shoes and they are fantastic. Not the latest model, but still have the BOA dials and carbon soles. Your video production is first rate. I really enjoyed the series you did on Vietnam... Thanks Francis/James!
I love this video, especially the note about Spesh shoes and their inbuilt tilt. I bought a pair of Spesh 10 yrs ago bcos I overpronate when running so having shoes that try to fix your foot tilt made sense. However hearing that this seldom presents as the root cause of pain caused me to look at other shoes and they are much more comfortable 👍
I have a great idea for what you could do for bike fit tuesdays at home! How to find the right sized road bike when shopping online! Would love to see a video about this. Great content like always!!
I’ve used Specialized shoes in the past and although they fit well on my narrow foot I had lateral foot pain with this shoe. James’ description of how the shoe is built explains this. I’ve found that for my foot, Sidi fits best. I like a walkable shoe so I use mountain bike shoes exclusively. An added benefit with these shoes that cleats can be moved back quite far.
8:19 The increased stack height of a plastic soled shoe isn't like lengthening the cranks, you'd have to raise the saddle height to account for increased foot height at the bottom of the pedal stroke. This would negate any increase in impingement of the hips at the top of the stroke.
James, you're a beautiful man. Purchased last year during covid the Lake CX238 size 45 completely blind based on your recommendation and they are absolutely perfect. Increased my cycling happiness by an order of magnitude. Thank you sir!
An unbelievably informative video! It felt like being in one of those rare lectures that just captivate you and captures your full attention. This information has gone into the memory banks forever! Cheers for learning me real good. 😬
Very good to listen to someone who can explain things properly than someone who just want to sell and get it over with. Unfortunately not all bike shops have the same passion as you gents are.
First listening to James, you would think he is cocky and has an opinion on everything. I am happy I watched this vlog. Now I can say here's a guy that knows what he is talking about and is a wealth of great cycling information, yes passionate about cycling he is... Enjoyed tremendously, a big thank you James, you are just awesome. hooked on your channel Francis, subscribed..
Do people actually have that first impression of cockiness and opinionatedness? I'm worried that that's a problem because I'm sure I come off the same.
Absolutely love all the bikefit tuesday videos! Hate all cycling shoes though, is it just me or are most cycling shoes very narrow? All brands that do wider ones are good at making very unsexy shoes (albeit probably very comfortable ones).
Bont have an excellent guide on their website showing how to measure your foot and what size shoe you need. It tells you if you Size & width of Bont you need. In addition the shoes are heat mouldable so they can be adapted to any particular foot oddities that you may have.
Plus Bont shoes are pretty short and stubby. Good for people with non-pointy feet to not having the excess pointy length hanging to get overlap with front wheel.
@@nickmannerings3574 It does scale with the size obviously, but Bont is still shorter than my other shoes anyway. My Bont cut more square in the front. While my Shimano and other shoes taper more gradually at the pointy end. That more square cut result in a shorter shoe.
Yet another outstanding video from Francis Cade featuring Professor James and the highly informative Bike Fit Tuesdays. Always looking forward to the next. Well done my friends!
Great detail. I find myself preaching the same stuff about shoes, just need to work on my diplomacy skills! On the subject of Specialized shoes, i'm glad someone has finally described my feelings about them. I sent a pair back a couple of years ago because they caused so much pain around my achilles tendon. This was down to the extra padding around the inside of the heel cup designed to keep your foot snug within the shoe. Just make shoes that come in different shapes and sizes and stop assuming every foot is the same. Lake shoes all the way.
‘Buying a size 10 when you’re actually a size 8’. My entire life summed up. Haha. My cycling shoes (bont a-two) are the only shoes I own that actually fit me properly. Would be interested in seeing the difference between them and some Lakes.
Think shoe fit is very individual. Used the same Specialized shoe for over ten years. Extremely comfortable. Tried getting new high-end Sidi pair and could not use them at all (went back to my old pair). Now riding with Specialized Ares and they have been unbelievably comfortable from day one.
Thx a lot for discussing the Specialized shoes. I tried a pair last week and i returned them because they were way too narrow. But i was absolutely sure that there was someting else not right. Not right at all. I now know what, so thaks. By the way; the level of detail and workmanship is WAY below the Sidi’s. Sidi shoes are absolutely flawless and even after many, many years of rough usage they don’t fall apart or show spots of wear. But the the current Mega line is an absolute disappointment. Give us a wide option for your top shoes, Sidi !
Once normality is restored I'll have to come down and see if we can sort out an mtb shoe that fits and will work with my messed up ankles. Have a feeling '21 is going to be busy with HotChillee events and I'd best have so new ones.
Jame's advice is always spot on, except I would disagree with the knitted shoe opinion, I went from a conventional upper to a knitted Fizik R1 Infinito shoe and I haven't felt any less support or reduced power transfer, although it seems with this shoe there is a bit more structure than most knitted shoes. It's all horses for courses with feet like he says and sometimes it's worth trying something hated by many.....even Fizik :'). Great video though, cant wait to see the rest of the series!
People don't realise that the upper is very much part of the 'stiffness' of the shoe hence the heat to shape varieties out there. I have carbon sole shoes but if i don't adjust them on the ride especially when they're settled i get too much movement. I've had fabric uppers with laces and i loved them in hot weather touring but for road group they'd feel sloppy for me.
Totally agree that shoes are sooooo important In the system of the bike. It’s taken me years to find what works for me, and I’m always worried When I have to buy a new pair..... I’m also very fussy about insoles, in as much as the material they are covered with, cannot stand stuff that grips the sock. Lake and Sidi are my favourite starting point for shoes.......
You are spot on with all your information. Especially the specialized shoes. I have an extremelly flat foot and cannot get my S works 7 to work. No matter what position we tried. Guess what shoe I came from? giro. I wear the Prolight SLX which they do not make anymore.
I've just bought a pair of Lake Cx237 made a big difference my old shoes were just plastic way to flexy luckily some one bought the wrong size they fit me great might try some arch supports see how it goes. .
Top draw James as ever, super knowledgable and excellent delivery. When this all blows over I seriously have to see about making the trip down from the NE for a fit. I had surgery on RH ankle and always concerned about foot position affecting knee/ITB. Keep up the great work Francis/James
I'm jumping into this old video to thanks Francis and James for this video. I have discovered, tried on and purchased Lake 238W because of what i learned here. I was running uncomfortable Fizik shoes and instead, discovered Lake (which is Canadian, and i'm Canadian... go figure i had to go through Englishmen to get here...). And also discovered G8Performance, which i also purchased the whole insole kit. Great help and comfort for gym sneakers and riding shoes. So, better late than never.
Sidi does have their own system.. but its pretty good imo, i would say equally good as Boa. Sidi uses this system also on their motorbike boots, which are damn good boots and my personal favorite.
Great video. I am one of the people that suit Specialized shoes. The flat shoes that I have tried in the past have given me knee pain. All sorted with their shoes. I do supinate thou.
Came upon your channel by chance and I'm very glad I did. Can't say enough about how much i've learned about bike fitting since I started watching and listening to James wealth of knowledge. The thing that won me over right away is his approach to bike fitting and the purchase of a bike. Get the fitting first, then buy a bike. I wish all bike shops would follow that mantra. Here in the States when you walk into a shop looking for a bike, first thing they do is try to get you into a test ride and no mention of a fitting until after you bought the bike. Kudos to you mate!
I need new cycling shoes. I was torn between Specialized S-works 7 and NORTHWAVE Extreme PRO but after I heard that about specialized shoes, choice is simple. Especially my current Northwave Evolution Plus works for me!
I know you can't film any more bike fit Tuesdays for a while but when you do start filming again can you do an episode for younger people who are still growing as it hard to find anything online about fitting for people like me who are still growing as most don't encompass that point of view, thanks
This is bang on topic for what I'm looking into currently. Thanks for the content, guys! Question for James: I've been experiencing slight discomfort and some numbness in my left foot while riding any distance over 25mi. I have already addressed saddle height, as well as reach in the past. I recently moved my cleats back a little bit. I didn't go too much initially in order to mitigate any discomfort caused by this change. After 4 rides, the feeling in the foot isn't as apparent, but my right hip was a little sore after my last ride. Any suggestions? Should I revisit the fore-aft position of my saddle? Should I go back to where my cleats were before and address a different measurement on the bike? Or is this just my body adjusting to the new position? Thanks for any reply.
Look at your cleat positioning and alignment. Cleats still too far forward or forcing a slightly pigeon-toed stance have caused numbness for me. Also, the Specialized varus wedge caused other problems as well as numbness. Saddle setback is more of a factor in upper body stability and comfort.
I have been buying my cycling shoes "by the looks" all my life :D. I have had Shimanos, Bonts, Mavics, Sidis, Fiziks, all top of the range, and never once had any knee, ankle, hip, toe etc. problems despite never having done any fitting. Just bolted the cleat on (always Look Keo) and rode. And I have been riding consistently approx. 200-250 miles a week for the past 3 years. I have found the Mavic Comete to be the best, but they are pricey AF, and only shine their full glory when pedaling. Their closure system is not the best either. One must wear overshoes not to allow any dirt under the dials as they have a tendency to jam over time when dirt hets in. Shimanos had too soft uppers. Yeah, they are comfortable, but when I am sprinting, I don't want my feet to bounce all over the place, regardless, how hard the fasteners are tightened. Bonts are nice too, but the moldability is a bit of a joke and the tongue, on all their models except the old Vaypor, has a tendency for forming folds when the shoe is tightened real hard.
@@izmael_kneafcy I wish. Saddles are something I need to be very careful when choosing as I have ran into issues with some. Bib thigh and jersey fit can be a mine field for me too.
The info regarding specialized is interesting, especially if we consider that specialized then sells custom made footbeds that do not take into account that non-neutral shoe. That makes no sense from spesh.
GIRO Empire... our absolute favorite. I have the white... and black... and blue (MTB). My wife just got a pair for her birthday. Gotta be lace up for me, there's always a gray area with BOA that is either too tight... or a smidge too loose. Laces solve that.
Same here. Moving to laces has been such an improvement for me, as I always had issues with pressure points when using BOAs...which probably was a fault of the shoe in the first place and not necessarily the BOAs' fault
Thanks guys for your bike fit vids. Very informative. Is there any evidence or science behind cleat position and how it influences the plethora of ailments/injuries they supposedly cause ?? I’m a not sure I agree on changing plantar pressures when you’re powering into a completely stiff soled shoe? Although I do agree on having cleats right back Like to hear back thanks
Interesting indeed... I have a pair of specialized mountain bike shoes I used for ages... went to the giro and noticed the difference! Either seem to work for me (long distance) but I suspect that is more the smaller cleat used for the mountain bike shoe! Very good shoe summary!
For what it matters I personally use Pearl Izumi. Yeah they’ve got some junk but if you research you can find something good that works and doesn’t cost a fortune.
Thanks again for a bunch of cool new information. Had no idea any shoe manufacturer did a fore foot variance for any reason. I have been blaming achy knees on old age. Gonna bust out my old bike shoes, and see if the knee ache goes away. I have specialized shoes I have been using.
Sorry if this question is a bit out of date given the video was posted last year! As a female cyclist, there are not many womens specific shoes to choose from. I have tried some 'unisex' shoes before that come in a smaller size (e.g. 39) but is this a good idea? They are often way too big around the ankle/heel so no good for me. With smaller feet, what brands are best?
any opinions on Bontrager shoes? XXX gets a lot of press, but compared to Shimano and others i don't know where they fit on the spectrum of good cleat position and good clean neutral fit
Really like these videos!! Very new to riding road bikes! Just received my first bike a canyon aeroad and leaning a lot but these are helping and a fun watch so thank you for them!!!
OPPOSITE >>> My dorsal / top of my feet are VERY sensitive to any pressure, BOA lacing causes an "even" pressure and so they don't work for me because I need to adjust the back - upper & middle dorsal area more soft and open and the front /toe more snug and only laces can so micro adjustments like that....... MESH >>> I need mesh-type breathable shoes because the hard shell also places mny foot in a hard vault with no adjustments or enough softness to keep the pressure off the top of my foot......
Hello I am the brand owner of kapvoe glasses (a company specializing in sports sunglasses) I watched your video Your video analysis is very professional great Can I send you some kapvoe brand glasses for testing? Looking forward to your reply Thank you
I am so pissed and happy at the same time now. I have specialized shoes and have put the cleat in every position that it can go and added different incerts in and my feet always go numb and or hurt. got some Shimano's, put them on and not a single issue at all. Thank you for this information, as I though it was just me and not knowing how a shoe should feel on your foot. I can ride the Shimano for hours, no problem.
Had a lot of foot pain, always blamed it on the fact that I broke my ankle a couple years ago. It became unbearable so I got a full bike fit. Turns out I was wearing a 45 and needed a 47. I have apparently been wearing shoes way too small for years.... Most of the pain is gone now but still some left (the shoe isn't the problem tho)
Has James ever had a customer who had foot pain from wearing carbon soled shoes that went away after switching to a composite sole? I had a nice pair of carbon soled shoes that fit great, but with distances of over 50 miles my feet would begin to ache like I had been walking barefoot on concrete. I switched to a pair of Giro shoes with composite soles and have never had pain again at any distance. I am on my second pair of Giro shoes and still loving them, so much so I bought the Mtn bike equivalent for Mtn biking. Both have identical boa closers and one velcro strap at the front, no pain ever.
@@jamesbearpark3794 True but there is weave and then there's the injection moulded gloop stuff. Then again there's different stiffness ratings even with the weave type sole so a weave might not be much more stiff than a composite injected type. Look at the 'H' rating as there is an industry rating for sole stiffness. James has probably covered that in past vids.
I wish I saw this video before I bought Specialized shoe !! Always wandered if it was a cheap Chinese imitation shoe cuz of the bad chamber on the toe box !!! I use the word chamber because I’m an automobile mechanic 😊 Thx great video 😊
"I don't sell this because it's shit" is the best attitude a business owner can have, chapeau! edit: so did you manage to finish the turkish delight box?)
I have two different size feet, both with the same width (105mm) but my left foot is 260mm long and my right is 251mm long. Should I wear two different size shoes or does that cause fit complications that are not worth introducing to my fit?
This is great content. I’ll try to look a Lake shoes here in MNL. I’m currently using Bont shoes which is moldable in my feet. Do you have any view or say about Bont shoes?
Hi, great content! Appreciate your knowledge and the way how you share it. A question though: what does it mean "wide feet"? Can you give a hint, like a ratio length/width at which the feet can be considered as "wide"? Thanks!
Was gonna go with Lake CX238's but went with CX241s, in size 45 wide, instead after seeing them on James' IG. They fit my weird shaped wide feet really well. Thinking of buying a second pair in black for outside and keep the current white pair as strictly my indoor training pair. They just look too nice to get dirtied outside. Lol
Liked and subscribed! Question: I am planning an across America trip in june along the southern tier (San Diego, CA to St Augustine FL). It will be rather hot at around 30 to 40 degrees Celsius. Does shoe color matter in the heat? Since the route is 4800 km, I want really good shoes with cleats as far back as possible. My feet are wide with a high arch and long toes and large in size (45 to 47 depending on brands). What brand of shoes would you recommend? Thank you for another great video! /Arvid
Several really great videos on road shoes (BikeFitTuesdays). Please could we have another; What makes a great MTB shoe”. What are we looking for in fit and function? There are two parts to this what is great for MTB, but also what is great for endurance. A very high number of endurance/ audax riders use MTB shoes.
I always had trouble finding cycling shoes that fit really well, regardless of price. Mainly an insole issue. Any feeling of a lump/bump under the ball of my foot was a non-starter. I raced for years wearing cheaper brand/model shoes because they were more comfortable to me than more expensive name brand shows. You have to ride what works for you.
What an interesting video. Been riding specialized for years, but I'm starting to think to change. not because of this video, but it opened options. THX
Why would a thicker sole (effectively larger stack height) ‘impinge the hip’ or affect the pedal stroke? Surely seat height is adjusted based on stack height so no difference whatsoever.
Even when standing I have a good arch, but a low instep, never had knee issues. used to ride around 900kms per week in my prime days. Aways ridden SIDI... What was the 1st choice before SIDI?
I've spent a good couple weeks catching up on your vlogs since before the Vietnam trip (which was so much fun to relive through your adventures with James and Lawrence - what an amazing country). Slightly concerned to hear James' comments re Specialized shoes. I'm currently loving the sworks 7 as someone with narrow and flat feet. I'd be interested to hear whether James thinks that the build of the shoe will lead to a worsening of flat foot issues. Cheers Francis 🌱
How do you rate Bont Riots, 2018, regarding how far the cleat goes back compared to Lakes? I currently have my cleat all the way back on the Bont shoes. I have very long toes and wide feet. Giro, can't even get my feet in width ways for what should be the correct length. Specialised, great for cycle touring whist staying in zone 3- or below. Probably as those are touring MTB shoes and you can normally get the cleat a little further back with 2 bolts. When Lockdown is over will come and say hi in store as been following the channel and Lawrence's consistently for a year now. Awaiting shoulder surgery as a car was driving the wrong way down the road and might as well get the setup sorted on the turbo so can enjoy 2021 to the max. Billy, Watford.
I tried Lake CX218 (it was the only non-Leather model available) and they were bad for me. Could pull them off my feet while overtightened, heel was super sloppy. Only when I went to half a size too small did the heel become somewhat stable. So strange
Pushing the cleat all the way back is not good for everyone. I got terrible hot spots and foot cramps. I mean when James says there are no negative effects from doing so, it isn’t always true.
Shoes from the same brand can vary greatly aswell. Shimano rc701 with a double boa (single way adjustable) didn't get along with my feet at all. The rp901 with a single both ways adjustable boa and a velcro at the toebox just fit me like a glove.
I'd like to perhaps send you my info for shoes. I'll visit the site - I'm in California - how much is shipping, typically? Also, what watch are you wearing? ;) Cheers!
