Shoes

Check the cleat pattern first. Three-bolt soles take road systems like SPD-SL and give the widest, most stable platform. Two-bolt soles take SPD, recess into the sole so you can walk normally, and are what gravel, mountain and commuting shoes use. If you already have pedals, tell us what they are, because the shoe has to match them.

Fit matters more than stiffness for most riders. Feet swell over a long ride, cycling shoes are cut close, and width catches people out more often than length. A shoe that feels fine in the shop for two minutes can be miserable at four hours. We keep wide fittings for feet that standard cycling shoes do not suit.

Closures are a preference rather than a ranking. Dials give the finest adjustment and can be tweaked mid-ride, laces are light and hold their shape well, and velcro is quick and forgiving. Pick the one you will actually get on with.

Sizing runs differently between brands, sometimes by a full size. Come into the shop and try a few pairs, it takes ten minutes and saves a return.