The Shoe Fits: Why Cycling Comfort Begins at Your Feet

26th May, 2025 / Photos by Andrew Grant
It's a scenario familiar to many cyclists: the bike feels great, your kit's sharp, and you've prepared to perfection, but halfway through a ride, your feet are on fire. Suddenly, every pedal stroke is a pain as what was shaping up to be a great day turns into a grim test of endurance. If this sounds all too familiar, read on to learn how a bike shoe fitting session at The Bike Tailor can turn your ride around.

Shoe Size Is Just the Start

People often think their bike shoes fit well until they actually start to ride," says Stephen Roche, the CEO and bike fit expert at The Bike Tailor. "But walking about at home to test a new shoe is not like riding," he says. "When you're pedalling, there's a world of difference to walking about off the bike. Plus, every time you ride, your feet naturally swell due to heat and pressure, and what felt good at home can quickly turn to discomfort on the road."

This discomfort isn't simply about shoe size, he explains. It's about width, shape, and individual nuances like arch height. "It's pretty common for riders to cram their feet into shoes that initially feel right but are ultimately too narrow or small, creating painful hotspots."

Brands like Lake have recognised these problems, introducing innovations tailored to real-world cycling. "Lake and others have all recognised that most riders benefit from a wider toebox," he explains. "These may have been called wide bike shoes in the past, but today, they're regarded as regular width. The key is choosing the correct size and tuning it, whether through the standard arch height accessories supplied with new shoes or our preferred route of using custom insoles, which we create and fit during a bike shoe fitting in front of the client."

The Bike Tailor Shoe Fitting Process

Achieving a perfect bike shoe fit is as methodical as it is accessible. At The Bike Tailor, it starts simply—with the classic Brannock device to measure your feet—but quickly moves to more advanced technology, including pressure-sensitive pads that map every contour of a rider's foot during the custom insole process, should the rider take that route. This precision ensures the ideal match of insole support, dramatically enhancing comfort.

Stephen emphasises the benefit of custom-moulded insoles, which he calls a 'game-changer' for many riders. Crafted from carbon and moulded to the exact shape of your foot, these insoles offer unmatched personalisation, addressing asymmetries and uneven arch heights that standard insoles can't fix. Nevertheless, third-party, specialist ‘standard' insoles are also available, and even these are a big step up from the stock insoles that come with each shoe model.

Shims and Things

But comfort doesn't stop at insoles. Small wedge shims inside bike shoes can stabilise feet that naturally pronate, helping align the knees and hips, ultimately improving the overall cycling posture and efficiency. These subtle adjustments often prevent nagging injuries from developing into chronic issues.

Another revelation from Stephen is the nuanced impact of cleat positioning. Positioning cleats slightly further back can drastically reduce calf muscle fatigue for endurance cyclists and triathletes. "I've found it leads to less 'jelly leg' in the transition phase," he says. Using Velologic's 3D motion capture technology, Stephen demonstrates in real-time how minor adjustments in cleat positioning can lead to immediate improvements in pedalling mechanics and comfort.

The Last Step: Sheer Surprise

Perhaps Stephen's most striking observation is the sheer surprise riders express upon discovering the transformative effects of professional bike shoe fitting. It's a reminder that, as cyclists, we often endure unnecessary discomfort, accepting it as a natural part of riding when, in fact, professional fitting can resolve these issues.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, Stephen's insights underscore a critical message for cyclists everywhere: Don't underestimate the power of properly fitted cycling shoes. Comfort begins at your feet, and with expert guidance, a bike shoe fitting session can dramatically enhance your ride.

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