Gait analysis and triathlon shoes?

[clonmult]

Got a 10k run in a couple of weeks, so heading out to a runners shop to get my gait analysed and get the right sort of shoes. Current trainers are old and are losing a bit of their bounce. Fine for the rower, but not so great for running.

But I got thinking about triathlons. Wanted to do one for years, but never got round to it. Having had gait analysis done, it improved my running no end - ankle/knee problems almost disappeared overnight. However from browsing on-line I haven't found anything similar for tri shoes.

Are there some uber specialist retailers who deal with gait analysis and supply SPD fittings suitable for triathlons?

[Smitters]

For this attention to detail, you'll be wanting a bike fitting, not just a shoe fitting, as the contact points all make a difference. Getting the right shoe, cleat position, fit of foot in the shoe etc is only part of it, and useless if your saddle is 10mm too high, or the bars too far away. Let's not get started on Q.

Oh, and if you're going to do a triathlon or two, get some elastic laces when you get the running shoes. Makes a world of difference in transition. Mind you, for a first triathlon, unless you've already got a road bike, spds etc. you'll be cycling in your trainers anyway I imagine.

Edited by Smitters on Wednesday 1st May 16:09

[Magic919]

My wife is about to do her first triathlon. No way she'll be running in her cycling shoes or vice versa. She has those springy laces for the running shoes. Bikes shoes just have straps.

[Smitters]

Oh - yeah - to be clear, for tri, you'd want a set of bike shoes, then you take them off after riding and put your running shoes on. However, lots of people rock up to their first triathlon with a pair of trainers, a mountain bike and some toe-clips. Give it a go. It's brilliant fun.

[clonmult]

Magic919 said:

My wife is about to do her first triathlon. No way she'll be running in her cycling shoes or vice versa. She has those springy laces for the running shoes. Bikes shoes just have straps.

5+ years of cycling with SPDs, I hate the idea of straps, but sounds like a better idea. Had read about those springy laces a while back, hadn't really considered them.

[Magic919]

I meant straps as against laces. Her bikes shoes are SPDs.

[clonmult]

Magic919 said:

I meant straps as against laces. Her bikes shoes are SPDs.

Ah, pair for each discipline.

Its early days, first 10k is next week. Fingers crossed that I get a place on the marathon for next year. Triathlons are just going to be something as and when I can.