Cycling shoes for every tour: ideal for leisure and professional cyclists
Cycling is one of the most popular sports in Switzerland. According to a survey by the Federal Roads Office, cycling almost three million people people in this country cycle at least occasionally. What's more, some of the most successful cyclists come from Switzerland. To ensure that they are always safe on the road, both professional and amateur cyclists need the right equipment. This also includes cycling schools.
An important element of cycling shoes are the fasteners that hold them on the feet. At Gudo, we manufacture various fasteners that can be used for cycling shoes, among other things. In this article, we look at the advantages of shoes and fasteners.
What makes cycling shoes stand out?
In order to highlight the advantages of cycling shoes, it is first useful to emphasize their most important features. First of all, a distinction can be made between these two types of cycling shoes:
- Clipless pedal shoes: These are part of the clipless system that pedals can be equipped with. There are plates on the soles of the cycling shoes that click into the clipless pedals.
- Platform pedal shoes: They have a flat sole and are therefore used with bicycles whose pedals do not have a click system. Nevertheless, they have certain characteristics that distinguish them from other sports shoes.
The shoes can also be differentiated according to the type of bike with which they are preferably used. Specific shoes are available for the following two-wheelers:
- Trekking/touring bike
- Road bike
- Mountain bike
- Dirt bike/BMX bike
Some manufacturers also offer shoes for spinning, i.e. endurance sports on indoor bikes.
All types of cycling shoes have a stiff sole, which is usually made of nylon or carbon. The soles of shoes designed for mountain bikes or BMX bikes have a tread pattern.
The upper of a cycling shoe should be breathable and is therefore made of a material that ensures this property. This is usually polyester or another synthetic material. It has the advantage of being waterproof to a certain degree. This keeps your feet dry even in the rain.
The upper shoe is also equipped with reflective elements. Thanks to these, the cycling shoes and therefore also their wearer are easier to see in low light conditions on the road.
Cycling shoes that are subject to heavy wear are reinforced in the areas particularly affected. This applies to mountain bike shoes, for example. Abrasion-resistant materials are used in their manufacture.
The fastening system of the cycling shoes also plays an important role. These can be either shoelaces or fasteners.
What are the advantages of cycling shoes?
Cycling shoes have various advantages that benefit both professional and amateur athletes. First and foremost, the shoes offer safety when riding. This applies above all to clipless pedal shoes. They are characterized by the fact that it is impossible to slip off the pedals.
The firm grip of clipless pedal shoes also has an effect on the cyclist's performance. As they do not slip off the pedals at high speeds and when cornering, they can control the bike better.
The material and composition of the soles of platform pedal shoes ensure a good grip. It is not impossible for them to slip off the pedals. However, this is less likely than with other sports shoes due to the sole profile.
The stiff soles of cycling shoes also optimally transfer the power of the legs to the bike. They also ensure that your feet are less stressed, which is particularly helpful on longer rides.
Another advantage of cycling shoes is the breathable material of the upper shoe. This allows enough air to reach the feet at all times, reducing perspiration. Also worth mentioning are the long durability and attractive appearance of cycling shoes, which are important arguments for many users.
Last but not least, the foot is held well by the cycling shoe if it has an effective closure system. Gudo products are used by numerous manufacturers of high-quality shoes.
How are cycling shoes held securely on the feet?
In addition to shoelaces, fasteners are a useful option for closing cycling shoes and keeping them firmly on your feet. Rotary fasteners, ratchet fasteners and tension fasteners are particularly suitable.
Rotary closures
The central element of twist locks is a rotating knob. Turning it to the right tightens the rope, which presses the shoe against the foot. The fastener can be loosened again by turning it to the left. Some models such as the Swock M Power also have a quick-release function. When it is triggered, the shutter opens completely.
Thanks to the ease of use of twist fasteners, it is very easy to find the ideal fit. If the shoe is too tight on the foot, the user turns the knob a little. They do the same if they want more support. This approach means that even children can easily operate shoes with a twist fastener.
This is why not only cycling shoes but also children's shoes are fitted with twist locks. Many bike helmets are also equipped with such a fastener.
Ratchet fasteners
Cycling shoes can also be used very effectively with Ratchet fasteners can be adjusted. Such a fastener contains a lever and a toothed belt. The strap is adjusted by pivoting the lever, which ensures that the rope on the shoe becomes tighter or looser. This fastener therefore also enables precise control of the hold that the shoe should provide.
Many ratchet fasteners also have a function that allows them to be released quickly. With the Compact S the lever must be raised.
In addition to bicycle shoes, ratchet fasteners are also suitable for use on safety shoes. They are also used on bicycle carriers and orthopaedic products.
Clamping fasteners
Tension fasteners are another option for fastening cycling shoes. They are equipped with a bracket that fixes the rope that holds the shoe to the foot. The user can initially determine the length of the rope manually. To hold it in position, the bracket is closed. A latching function ensures that it cannot be opened unintentionally, for example when cycling.
Tension fasteners are the first choice for ski boots in particular. However, they are also useful for cycling shoes and orthopaedics.
The product variety of Gudo
The Gudo company specializes in the manufacture of fasteners. In addition to twist, ratchet and tension fasteners Clips to our product range. We also produce Special products according to our customers' specifications. Please contact us if you require a specific plastic product.
We are happy to assist you from development to production and assembly. Our experienced team plays a key role in the design of the desired product. In doing so, we keep an eye on both the technical aspects and the economic efficiency. We use prototyping to test the product in the early stages of development.
To this end, we produce fully functional prototypes that can be extensively tested. This reveals any weaknesses and errors that can be avoided in the next prototype.
We have various production methods at our factory in Lupfig. This allows us to react flexibly to your needs. The same applies to the final assembly of your products.
Would you like to find out more about the different types of closures available from Gudo? Please write to us via our contact form to. We will be happy to answer all your questions. You can also use the form to order closures and other products from our range directly.