Recently we discussed our move to exclusively selling Lake shoes, alongside this shift we have been gradually removing the shoes from the shelves and providing a more intensive shoe fitting service for clients. This might seem confusing and counter intuitive, but there is a good reason why we have done this and the results are encouraging.
Lake CX402s on the feet of Josh Amberger - Photo Mark Fountain
Cycling shoes are notoriously difficult to fit well. Heavy, unforgiving materials in the uppers combined with stiff soles and a tight fit often cause compression and areas of irritation. As well as this the aesthetics and marketing hype of new products can override good fitting principles and leave customers uncomfortable and unhappy in the long run. When attempting to get the fit right, we have found that professional ‘screening’ of the feet and lower limbs contribute enormously to satisfactory outcomes. At The Pedaler we have experienced Podiatrists with enormous cycling knowledge who have this process perfected.
At The Pedaler we have experienced Podiatrists with enormous cycling knowledge who have this process perfected
Initially we ran a more typical bike store set up. We stocked shoes on shelves and encouraged cyclists to try shoes on with the assistance of our staff. Sometimes the outcomes were satisfactory and in others, less so. Sometimes wasn’t good enough for us, so we decided to only sell shoes once a Podiatrist had given the fit their tick of approval. With this more thorough approach to the process the outcome was always satisfactory.
Hence, we embraced that outcome and changed the way we fit shoes. Rather then have a client spend 45 minutes trying on a range of shoes and becoming increasingly confused, we conduct a foot screening and assessment session with our Podiatrist to guarantee the fit. There is a consult cost for this, but that’s the price for an expert opinion.
This process also enables us to procure any style, size, colour and width option in the ENTIRE Lake range. That’s pretty damned special given just how extensive their range of shoes are.
This also enables us to procure any style, size, colour and width option in the ENTIRE Lake range!
So if you want a pair of guaranteed comfortable shoes, it pays to book in and make a time to get it right.
Lake CX332 paired with COBRA9 SemiPro