Why Your Cycling Shoes Might Be the Weakest Link in Your Ride
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When cyclists in Waco, Texas look for ways to improve performance, the focus is usually on bikes, saddles, or gear upgrades. But one of the most overlooked—and most important—factors is also the simplest: your shoes.
If your cycling shoes don’t fit properly, two of the three rear contact points on the bike are immediately off. That misalignment can create a chain reaction of issues, including:
- Reduced power production
- Hot spots and numbness
- Knee pain or discomfort
- Saddle pressure and irritation
- Low back pain
As a physical therapist specializing in sports and orthopedics, I’ve seen countless athletes come in with knee, hip, or back pain that actually started with the wrong cycling shoes. The feet are the foundation of the body, and on the bike, they’re the anchor for stability, force transfer, and efficiency. Even a few millimeters of misfit can affect your comfort, efficiency, and long-term performance.
Why Bike Fit Should Start at the Feet
Think about it: if your foundation is off, everything above has to compensate. For cyclists, that often shows up as wasted energy, premature fatigue, and discomfort that keeps you from enjoying your ride.
This is why cycling shoe fitting should never be an afterthought. Both shoe size and volume (the internal height and width of the shoe) matter. Too tight, and you risk numbness and hot spots. Too loose, and you lose stability and efficient power transfer.
A proper bike fit in Waco should always begin with the feet—because correcting the foundation can resolve problems all the way up the chain.
Why Active Therapy Alliance Partners With LAKE Cycling
At Active Therapy Alliance, we’re committed to helping cyclists ride longer, stronger, and pain-free. To expand our toolbox for athletes and recreational riders alike, we’ve partnered with LAKE Cycling.
LAKE is known for designing high-quality cycling shoes that honor the natural mechanics of the foot and ankle. With options for road, gravel, and mountain biking, their shoes allow us to dial in not just comfort, but performance—so you can ride more efficiently and with less risk of injury.
The Bottom Line: Bike Fit in Waco Starts With the Feet
Whether you’re logging training miles, chasing PRs, or simply want to enjoy weekend rides without nagging discomfort, it all starts at the feet.
At Active Therapy Alliance, our bike fitting services in Waco, TX ensure you’re not only in the right size shoe but also the right volume shoe. This creates the foundation for better alignment, more efficient power transfer, and an all-around better riding experience.
Ready to take your cycling to the next level? Schedule a bike fit at Active Therapy Alliance today and make sure your shoes—and your body—are working for you, not against you.
Why Choose Active Therapy Alliance for Your Bike Fit
Active Therapy Alliance is proud to be the ONLY certified LAKE Cycling dealer in Central Texas. That means when you come to us for a bike fit in Waco, you’re not only getting expert guidance from a licensed physical therapist—you’re also gaining access to the full range of LAKE’s high-quality cycling shoes, fit options, and sizing expertise. Whether you ride road, gravel, or mountain, we’ve got the tools and knowledge to keep you comfortable, efficient, and powerful on every ride.