How the pro peloton influences cycling

Post Tour de France analysis of cycling bike fit and comfort 

As the greatest bike race of the year finishes and we head towards the final throes of summer, we’re able to look back, not only at Pogačar winning his fifth Tour de France, but also the bike fitting changes that have been adopted by the pro peloton. Riders at the highest level of our sport are choosing more comfortable bike setups, recognising that performance comes from this important issue. The top pro riders are choosing to run more stack height, utilizing extra stem spacers and higher handlebar positions instead of traditional "slammed" stems. They're altering crank lengths and saddle positioning, all in a detailed examination of cycling comfort and creating the perfect ride. And away from the peloton, bike brands such as legendary carbon frameset innovator, TIME have introduced a new ‘stack is back’ frameset for improved rider comfort, as modern professional bike fits shift their focus towards a progressive geometry, which includes that all-important contact point – the feet.

Why pro riders raise stack height

• Better aerodynamics: A slightly higher, less cramped front end lets riders tilt their pelvis forward and tuck their head and shoulders more effectively.
• Sustainable power: Reducing excessive lower back and hip angle strain helps athletes maintain high wattage over multi-week Grand Tours.
• Modern fit alignment: Pairing higher stack heights with shorter cranks and forward saddle positions optimizes overall pedalling mechanics.

Who knows, maybe it has been the influence of Pogačar – probably the greatest of all time – with a shorter crank length delivering more watts over a more sustained period. What we do know though is that riders want comfortable positions on the bike as they strive to deliver the ultimate performance. Yes, comfort is key, and for the feet that means Lake cycling shoes areonce again at the cutting edge of cycling, creating a range of world-leading cycling shoes that deliver comfort and performance in perfect harmony.

A new way of thinking about comfort and performance

The fastest and most efficient position on the bike is no longer the lowest – look at what cycle brands are doing with framesets– and people are finally and rightly educated and informed that the sleekest looking and most narrow cycling shoes are not the right answer for your feet. Ultimately, you see, once you’ve had that world-leading bike fit from people such as bike-fitting legend and Lake shoe fitting partner Juliam Wall from ‘Cycle Fit U.K., you will have had your bike built around you – unique in its design, and comfortable from the feet upwards, just as you are.  

Another interesting aspect of the peloton this summer has been the number of top riders taking a more detailed and analytical look at the footwear choices on different days and in different conditions and environments. The top riders in the Tour were captured on camera on one stage, riding grouped together and all wearing cycling shoes with laces – providing excellent adjustability. Mixing things up for different riding conditions makes sense, which is why Lake design and create the most complete range of cycling shoe options in the world, from laces to BOAs, and straps where our research shows that these work best.  

The already legendary BOA Fit System has also been at the forefront of the peloton, providing that all-important and precise micro-adjustability, uniform pressure distribution, and on-the-fly adjustment when it matters most. Each of these features, especially when combined can improve comfort and enhance pedalling efficiency compared to traditional laces or straps. Each day on the bike is different and requires different solutions – it requires the thinking and innovation that Lake has led the cycling shoe world in for over 40 years, as we’ve worked with other innovative brands such as BOA.

Fit and Comfort with BOA & Lake in unison

• Micro-adjustability: Click-by-click dials let you tune the tightness in tiny steps for a snug, glove-like fit.
• Even pressure: Steel or nylon laces spread tension evenly across your foot to stop painful sore spots.
• Locked heel: Wraparound designs hold your heel firmly in place, so it does not slip up and down.

The importance of a bike fit

World-renowned bike fitter Julien Wall is one of those ‘go to’ people with cycling, who knows all that there is to know about comfort and performance. I’ve spoken to him on many occasions about the importance of fit, calling on his encyclopaedic memory and analysis. For him, the bike should always be designed around the individual rider – and it’s the same for the feet. In fact, it’s at this contact point that he always begins a bike fit. Your feet are unique and they need that same care attention as every other aspect of the bike. The peloton has shown this during the summer, and its thankfully all available to you, wherever and whatever style of cycling you enjoy.

When the world’s greatest cyclists are looking at how their foot comfort affects their performance – including current Great Britain National Road Cycling Champion and Lake Ambassador, Fred Wright from Q36.5, then shouldn’t you also be taking the same things into consideration. Having a bike built for your own needs is becoming increasingly popular, as riders choose the best framesets to be the heart of their own unique bike. Going back to legendary bike brand TIME, that’s what they do – focus on creating the best ride possiblethrough the best materials and design – and it’s that same level of innovation and expertisethat we employ at Lake. And that’s what we’ve been doing here at Lake for over 40 years.

We’ve been creating some of the world’s best and most comfortable cycling shoes, working closely with riders such as Fred Wright, and with leading bike fitters such as Julan Wall, so that when you step across that now raised top tube and set out on your own adventures and challenges, you can find that perfect ride. We can’t all win the Tour de France – especially not 5 times. What we can do though is to ride with those key ingredients of comfort and performance in perfect harmony – with just the right sprinkling of style thrown in. To be able to ride with the most comfortable cycling shoes in the world on our feet – designed and crafted by the artisans here Lake for over 40 years.

Why not book yourself a bike fit and shoe fitting session today, with one of our world-class bike-fitting partners.