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Aero socks, waxed chains, ceramic bearings, and more are all classic marginal gains that cyclists love to froth over. But they might just be overlooking one of the most important pieces of the puzzle: feet.
I know, footbeds aren’t exactly the sexiest upgrade to make to your set-up, but getting them right could actually unlock even more power, reduce injury, and just boost your overall enjoyment on the bike. That’s where this week’s guest comes in.
Mick Habgood, perhaps better known as Mik.Fit, has been producing cycling orthotics and shoes for pro cyclists since 2013, working closely with EF Pro Cycling, British Cycling, and heaps more. In fact, he reckons close to 150 pros are using his insoles - from Olympic gold medalists to grand tour stage winners.
Chatting to Mick and hearing just how important your feet are in the quest for comfort and power was fascinating, and I even got to have a go myself. I got on a video consultation with Mick so he could analyse my feet and sort out some insoles for me to see if he could find my old, retired body a few watts. I tested them and, well, you’ll have to listen to hear just how much power I gained.
After chatting to Mick, I wanted to speak to a rider who is one of the most meticulous guys in the bunch when it comes to marginal gains: Jay Vine. Jay truly leaves no stone unturned - and it all starts with his feet. It was great hearing directly from inside the pelo how important the small details are at the top level, how team sponsors deal with athletes looking for gains elsewhere, and how the feet really are the foundation of a pro rider’s performance.
Guys, I won’t lie, this is one for the tech nerds out there. If you care about saving watts, there’s some amazing insight in this episode from some of the best in the business. If you want to check out the new Varus insoles I tested, you can find more information here: vip.mik.fit
Stretch out your arches, limber up your metatarsals, and jump feet first into this marginal gains special episode.
Cheers,
Mitch
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