(Posted by Coach Patrick!)

For starters, you don’t need to have special bike shoes to ride the Spinner bikes. You can certainly take a class in your regular workout shoes. Plenty of people do. But if you attend regularly I would encourage you to consider getting yourself some cycling shoes for a better ride. It’s all about allowing for a smooth transfer of power from the legs to the bike.

Our Spinner Elite bikes have dual-sided pedals. One side has a large platform with a toe cage and strap. This allows you to just hop on and get going with your regular shoes. If you have shoes with a firmer sole then those are a better choice.
The other side of the pedal is SPD™ (Shimano Pedaling Dynamics) compatible. This provides a clip for you to attach to with the cleat on the bottom of your SPD shoes. Clipping in and unclipping  (or locking and unlocking) is easy and will become second nature after just a little practice.

Clipping in gives you a firmer, more consistent connection to the bike. This better connection allows you to execute the “full circle” technique to the best of your ability. With your revolutions you are looking to ‘make circles.’ Force is applied throughout every part of the pedal stroke. So not only do you have the push down on the pedal but you pull up to keep the pedal moving consistently throughout the stroke cycle. It’s possible to achieve this with the toe cage and the strap tightened; but, it is more comfortable, more consistent, and more efficient using the cleat and clip.

You can find shoes with the SPD technology in a number of styles and over a wide cost range. Some shoes have the clip recessed into the sole of the shoe so you can walk around without any problem. These are MTB style (mountain bike), multi-use, or possibly touring shoes. Then you have the traditional road bike shoe. This is hard soled throughout with the clip extending beyond the sole.

You may have to do some homework on what would be best for you, as there are lots of choices out there. A good way to start would be to ask yourself a few basic questions: Will I use these shoes for anything else? Mountain biking? Road Cycling? Maybe you want to be able to drive in them, take a class, and run by the market. Maybe you’re more likely to just keep them in your trunk and pop them on for class. How much money am I willing to spend? It may take a little time. You may have to try on a few shoes to find the right one but go ahead and get started. You’ll be glad you did!