Why Should You Wear Mountain Bike Shoes?

By Greg Tilley


In order to increase your enjoyment of mountain biking, having the right shoe is vital. The way to go is a shoe that's designed specifically for the mountain biker.

Coming in a variety of prices are mountain bike shoes and these can range from $70 up to over $400. Depending entirely on whether or not you are a casual, once-a-month rider, a serious hobbyist, or someone who competes in races, whether professional or amateur, is the amount of money that you pay.

What are the reasons why mountain bike shoes are so expensive as well as important to have?

Helping the cyclist in transferring the power from his legs and feet to the pedals and then to the chain for greater speed are shoes that are specifically designed for cycling because they have stiff soles. Since the road cyclist is expected to be on his or her bike at all times without having to do a great deal of walking, they normally have a protruding cleat which slots into the recess on their pedals.

For the mountain biker who quite frequently has to get off the bike and wheel or carry it around obstacles, a protruding cleat would be of no use. Not only do mountain bikes don't have recessed cleats so that it won't interfere with walking, they also are not made from totally rigid sole but one that will give just a little bit.

There are dozens of mountain biking shoes on the market. Unlike women, men will find a wider variety of designs but still, there are quite a few styles to choose from that are specifically designed for the smaller foot of the average woman.

What makes the mountain bike shoe so important? Toe clips and clipless pedals are things that occasional mountain bikers don't usually bother with and they would just hop on their bike and they're on their way. The serious cyclist, however, should have the shoe firmly attached to the pedal either with a toe clip or with some cleats in order for them to get all the power they want out of a pedaling and they can pull upward on the pedal as well as simultaneously pushing downward on the other pedal, thus increasing the speed of the bike.

What makes the mountain bike shoe so expensive? The price comes down to what the shoe is made of, just as it will with any other shoe. The lighter the shoe is, the better for the racer. But, lightness comes expensive. The lightest shoes on the market are the carbon fiber soles and the carbon fiber is more expensive to produce than injection-molded plastic or fiberglass and plastic.

But for less than a hundred dollars, the average rider should be able to get a pair of mountain biking shoes.




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