Shoes

Specialized have developed what they call, Body Geometry technology, in the manufacturing of their shoes and foot beds; designed to make the relationship between body and bike more productive and comfortable, while also helping to prevent injury.This technology was developed with the aid of Dr. Andy Pruitt from the Boulder Center for Sports and Medicine. Specialized desire the production of a shoe that should transfer every watt the rider puts into the pedals to move that person forward and not waste any energy. Specialized shoes are built using European sizing standards, so they are able to offer smaller increments between sizes. However, obviously the best way to judge is to come in and try on the size that best fits your foot.

All of Specialized's Body Geometry shoes have three things in common:

Varus Wedge

The Problem: The foot is naturally canted for walking and running, with the result of the big toe being higher than the little toes. This angulation on the bike can cause rotational movement of the knee, shin and foot which causes the foot to collapse; this action not only degrades efficiency, but also creates knee pressure and strain. The Solution: Specialized engineer a Varus Wedge into the outsole of the BG shoes, giving the foot a 15mm angle to compensate for the foot, boosting efficiency and comfort. Specialized's foot beds are also accompanied by BG shims, which provide further fine-tuning of the rider's forefoot (varus/valgus) angle.

Metatarsal Button

The Problem: Cyclist often experience ‘hot spots' or a numbness in the forefoot while riding, due to the fact that a snug shoe can lead to the compression of nerves and arteries in between the metatarsals (the long bones of the forefoot).

The Solution: The metatarsal button in Specialized's BG shoes works against this ‘hot spot' problem by lifting and separating the metatarsals to eliminate related compression and discomfort.

Longitudinal Arch

The Problem: Similar to its angulations, the foot's arch is great for absorbing shock when walking or running, thanks to its natural flex. However, unless the arch is supported while on a bike, it can hinder pedaling efficiency and rob power on the down stroke.

The Solution: The foot beds and outsoles of Specialized's BG shoes are constructed with longitudinal arch support, making every pedal stroke count in the rider's favour. BG High Performance Foot beds are available in three different levels to help riders fine tune the function of their cycling shoes and achieve a semi-custom fit: + = minimal, ++ = moderate, +++ = significant.